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A Walk Through Analogies

What is an analogy?

If A stands for Trees and B for Forest, can you form a bridge between these two words.

Yes, we can say trees are present in a forest. But can you form a bridge expressing more subtle relationship between the words?

Think!!

Now look at this:

Trees:Forest::Ship::?


Collection of ship is fleet. So Fleet is the right word for the blank.

Trees:Forest :: Ship:Fleet

These two form an analogy pair as they have the same relationship.

What skills are tested in analogies section?

The analogies section tests your ability to establish the logical sound relationship between the given pair of words and then select the pair from among the five set of answer choices, having an identical relationship.

A typical GRE analogy question will look like:

Directions: In each of the sample questions, a related pair of words or phrases is followed by five lettered pairs of words or phrases. Click on the lettered pair that best expresses a relationship similar to that expressed in the original pair.

Explanation:

Choreography is composition of sequences of steps in dance. The bridge is "X is composition of sequences of steps in Y". Plot is composition of sequences of steps in story. So Answer is (A). Other choices can be eliminated as this bridge does not fit-in in any other choice.Recital is performance of music.A valedictory is farewell speech (one delivered during graduation exercises by an outstanding member of a graduating class.)

How do you solve an analogy?

STEP 1 Identify the relationship between the given pair of words.

LURK:WAIT

A) prattle:talk

B) abscond:depart

C) brisk:walk

D) skimp:read

E) eloquence:speak

Let's try to form a bridge between the given pair of words.To lurk is to wait secretly. Now in the sentence, lets replace the given words with the words from the answer choices.

Choice A: Is it correct to say: prattle is to talk secretly? No
Choice B: To abscond is to depart secretly..Yes this can be the answer.
Choice C: To brisk is to walk secretly? No
Choice D: To skimp is to read secretly? No
Choice E: To eloquence is to speak secretly? No

Hence answer is B.

BAT: CRICKET

A) board:chess

B) ball:soccer

C) team:basketball

D) racket:badminton

E) racket:tennis

LAVISH:PARSIMONIOUS

A) mendicant:poor

B) spendthrift:puerile

C) affluent:mansion

D) eternal:ephemeral

E) laud:exemplary

Types of relationship that may exist between pair of words:

I Synonym/Antonym

In this type of analogy, the two words of a given pair will be either synonyms or antonyms.

EXEMPLARY:IR-REPREHENSIBLE

A) outstanding:reproachable
B) hackneyed:uncommon
C) charlatan:genuine
D) castigate:laud
E) obsequious:subservient

Both exemplary and ir-reprehensible (meaning blameless) are synonyms. The words obsequious and subservient (meaning servile) are also synonyms. The remaining answer choices form an antonym pair. Hence answer is E.

II Part/Whole

In these analogies, one word of a pair will be a part of the other word of the pair.

e.g Musician:Orchestra::Player:Team
Musician is a part of Orchestra as Player is a part of a team.

III Member/Class

The bridge here is "X is a type of/kind of Y"

e.g Apple:Fruit::Trowel:Tool
An apple is a kind of fruit as trowel is a kind of tool.

IV Effect/Cause


e.g Earthquake:Tsunami::Negligence:Accident
The bridge here is "X causes Y" or "X is the result of Y."

V Varying degrees of a quantity or quality

A) utterance:voice
B) celebration:revelry
C) motion:traction
D) sanity:treatment
E) remonstrance:sin

V1 Definition/Evidence

The bridge in this type of analogy is "X is a defining characteristic of Y."

CACHE:HIDE

A) forgiveness:punish
B) stockpile:accumulate
C) testimony:falsify
D) treasure:money
E) intimation:fear

VII Purpose/Function

One word of the pair defines the function of the other word of a pair.

SCYTHE:REAPING

A) shears:cutting
B) crops:planting
C) lights:reading
D) screws:turning
E) saws:gluing

A scythe is a tool used for reaping. Similarly, shears are used for cutting.

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