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2.2 Analogy
In this section you are asked to assess the relationship
between a pair of words that is given to you (in capital letters) and
then to recognize a similar or parallel relationship in another pair included
as one of the five multiple-hoice answers given. Here is an example of
an analogy question:
Each question below consists of a related pair of words or phrases, followed by five pairs of words or phrases. Select the pair that best expresses a relationship similar to that expressed in the original pair.
ARTIST : PAINTING
(A) driver : car
(B) pedestrian : road
(C) composer : symphony
(D) surgeon : operation
(E) mailman : letter
The correct answer is (C). Just as an artist creates a painting a composer creates a symphony.
COMMON ANALOGY TYPES ARE
Definition - tailor : sew
Defining Characteristic - stable : horse
Class and Number - tragedy : drama , cow : mammal
Antonyms - bright : dull
Antonym Variation - Here the parts of speech are different.
For instance, disobedient : obedience
Synonyms - polite : courteous
Synonym Variation - frivolous : silliness
Degree of Intensity - sip : gulp
Part to Whole - toe : foot
Function - feet : walk
Manner - strut : walk
Articles made by a worker - Artist : painting
The worker and his tools - Artist : paintbrush
The worker and his task - teacher : teaches
The worker and the work place - teller : bank
The tool and the object - scissors : paper
The tool and the action - scissors : cut
Symbols - hawk : warlike
Actions and their Significance - smile : pleasure
Cause and effect - bacteria : infection
Sequence of Time and Space - beginning : end ; cellar : attic
Gender - duke : duchess
Age - calf : cow
Some Strategies for Use
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Try and form a sentence expressing the relationship between the pair of head words. Then apply the same sentence to other pairs to see if it works. Look at our earlier example.
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Make sure that the answer choice does not reverse the original relationship. For instance, if the head words are Artist : painting do not choose symphony : composer.
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If you find that more than one choice fits the relationship in your sentence then choose the one that is more specific and narrow down the choices or reframe your sentence.
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Look carefully at the parts of speech specially in the synonym and antonym variation questions.
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Look for secondary meanings of words if the primary ones do not seem to fit. For instance, a spade is a garden tool as well as a suit of cards.
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If you do not know the meaning of a word try and place it within a context, and then see what sense it makes.
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