A verbal analogy is a comparison of two pairs of words that have a similar relationship. It consists of two words (the first pair) that are related to each other in a certain way and a second pair of words where one word is missing, and the relationship between the missing word and the other word in the second pair needs to be identified.
For example, a classic verbal analogy is "hot: cold:: fast: _____". The correct answer is "slow" because the first pair of words (hot and cold) are antonyms, or opposites, and the second pair of words (fast and slow) are also antonyms or opposites.
Verbal analogies are often used in standardized tests to measure reasoning and critical thinking skills.
Watch this Verbal Analogy Tips
10 SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. Argument : Debate :: Fight : _____
(A) Hit
(B) Controversy
(C) Contest
(D) Quarrel
The relationship between the words in the first pair is that an argument is a verbal disagreement or discussion between two or more people with opposing viewpoints, while a debate is a formal argument in which the participants present and defend their viewpoints. Similarly, a fight is a physical disagreement or conflict between two or more people, while a quarrel is a verbal disagreement or conflict.
Therefore, the word that completes the analogy with "Fight" is "Quarrel". A quarrel is a verbal disagreement or conflict between two or more people, just as a fight is a physical disagreement or conflict between them.
2. Horse : Stable :: _____ : _____
(A) River : Water
(B) Pond : Fish
(C) Book : Magazine
(D) Dog : Kennel
The relationship between the words in the first pair is that a horse is kept or housed in a stable. Similarly, a dog is kept or housed in a kennel, making (D) the correct answer.
In the other options, (A) and (B) have a loose association as rivers and ponds are bodies of water, but they do not necessarily imply that water is kept in them. (C) has a similar relationship as both are reading materials, but they are not kept together in the same way that horses and stables or dogs and kennels are.
3. Aeroplane : Hangar :: Boat : _____
(A) Float
(B) Harbor
(C) Dock
(D) Fort
The analogy here is that an aeroplane is stored or housed in a hangar, and we need to find the equivalent term for where a boat is stored or housed. A harbor is a place where boats can dock or moor for shelter, protection, and maintenance. This is similar to how a hangar is a building where airplanes can be stored or maintained.
The other options are not a direct equivalent of a hangar. While a boat may float, it does not necessarily refer to where the boat is stored. A dock is a platform used to load and unload cargo or passengers from a boat, and a fort is a fortified structure used for defense, neither of which is equivalent to a hangar. Therefore, the correct answer is letter B.
4. Bakery : Bread :: Studio : _____
(A) Artists
(B) Film
(C) Film Actors
(D) Camera
The analogy here is that a bakery produces bread, and we need to find the equivalent term for what is produced in a studio. A studio is a place where films are produced. Just like how a bakery is a place where bread is produced. Therefore, the relationship between the two is that of production.
The other options do not fit the analogy as well. While a studio may be a place where artists work, it does not necessarily imply the production of anything specific like the bakery-bread relationship. Film actors are part of the film production process, but they are not the equivalent of bread in a bakery. And while a camera is used in the production of films, it is not a product of a studio in the same way that bread is a product of a bakery. So, the correct answer is letter B.
5. Heavy : Lead :: Cold : _____
(A) Air
(B) Ice
(C) Winter
(D) Water
The analogy here is that lead is a heavy metal, and we need to find the equivalent term for what cold is describing. Just like how lead is a heavy metal, ice is a cold substance. Therefore, the relationship between the two is that of a characteristic or property.
The other options do not fit the analogy as well. While air can be cold, it does not necessarily imply a characteristic like heavy metal does. Winter is a season that is associated with cold temperatures, but it is not a direct equivalent of the characteristic of cold. Water is a substance like ice, but it does not specifically relate to the characteristic of being cold. So, the correct answer is letter B.
6. Patter : Rain :: Thunder : _____
(A) Waves
(B) Bugles
(C) Lightning
(D) Stream
The relationship between the first pair of words, "Patter:Rain" suggests that patter is a sound made by rain. So, we need to find a word that represents a sound associated with thunder.
Therefore, none of the answer choices match the required relationship. The correct answer should be "Lightning" as thunder is often accompanied by lightning. Lightning is the flash of light that occurs due to the discharge of atmospheric electricity during a thunderstorm. So, the correct answer is letter C.
7. Promise : Fulfill :: ______ :_______
(A) Confession : Hedge
(B) Law : Enforce
(C) Pledge : Deny
(D) Pawn : Redeem
The relationship between the first pair of words, "Promise:Fulfill" indicates that a promise is fulfilled or completed. So, we need to find a word that represents completing or carrying out the action of the second word in the second pair.
Looking at the answer choices:
(A) Confession : Hedge - There is no logical or meaningful relationship between confession and hedge.
(B) Law : Enforce - This option fits the required relationship as the purpose of the law is to be enforced.
(C) Pledge : Deny - This option is the opposite of the required relationship as deny is the opposite of fulfilling or completing.
(D) Pawn : Redeem - This option fits the required relationship as when a pawn is redeemed, it is completed or carried out.
Therefore, options (B) and (D) fit the required relationship. However, option (B) is a better fit as the relationship between law and enforce is more direct and specific.
8. Bread : Wheat :: _____ : _____
(A) Fruit : Tree
(B) Butter : Cow
(C) Oil : Corn
(D) Wine : Grape
The relationship between the first pair of words, "Bread:Wheat" indicates that bread is made from wheat. So, we need to find a word that represents the raw material used to make the second word in the second pair.
Looking at the answer choices:
(A) Fruit : Tree - Fruits are produced by trees, but they are not used to make trees.
(B) Butter : Cow - Butter is made from milk, which is produced by cows, but this does not fit the required relationship.
(C) Oil : Corn - This option fits the required relationship as oil can be extracted from corn.
(D) Wine : Grape - This option fits the required relationship as wine is made from grapes.
Therefore, options (C) and (D) fit the required relationship. However, option (D) is a better fit as the relationship between wine and grapes is more direct and specific, just like bread and wheat.
9. Plate : Dive :: Cup : _____
(A) Swallow
(B) Drink
(C) Super
(D) Breakfast
The relationship between the first pair of words, "Plate:Dive" indicates that diving is an action performed on a plate or into water from a plate. So, we need to find a word that represents an action performed on a cup.
Looking at the answer choices:
(A) Swallow - Swallow is a verb associated with the action of ingesting food or drink, but it does not fit the required relationship.
(B) Drink - This option fits the required relationship as drinking is an action performed on a cup.
(C) Super - Super is not related to the required relationship in any way.
(D) Breakfast - Breakfast is not related to the required relationship in any way.
Therefore, option (B) Drink is the correct answer.
10. Apostate : Religion :: ______ : _______
(A) Disloyal : Colonies
(B) Loyal : Faith
(C) Traitor : Country
(D) Renegade : Indian
The relationship between the first pair of words, "Apostate:Religion" indicates that an apostate is someone who has abandoned or renounced their religion. So, we need to find a word that represents someone who has abandoned or renounced the second word in the second pair.
Looking at the answer choices:
(A) Disloyal : Colonies - This option does not fit the required relationship as disloyal is not related to abandoning or renouncing colonies.
(B) Loyal : Faith - This option does not fit the required relationship as loyal is the opposite of abandoning or renouncing.
(C) Traitor : Country - This option fits the required relationship as a traitor is someone who has betrayed or abandoned their country.
(D) Renegade : Indian - This option fits the required relationship as a renegade is someone who has abandoned their tribe or group.
Therefore, options (C) and (D) fit the required relationship. However, option (C) is a better fit as the relationship between traitor and country is more direct and specific, just like apostate and religion.