Use this free analogy practice set to strengthen vocabulary, verbal reasoning, and relationship-recognition skills. Each question presents two word pairs. Identify the relationship in the first pair, then apply the same relationship to the second pair.
Topics Covered
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Degree and intensity
- Part-to-whole relationships
- Items and categories
- Cause and effect
- Geography and general knowledge
- Shapes, measurements, and classifications
- Young-to-adult and development relationships
Sample Questions
1. Fierce : timid :: aggressive : _____
- A. weird
- B. frigid
- C. assertive
- D. passive
Show Answer
Answer: D. passive
Fierce and timid are opposites.
The second pair must use the same antonym relationship. The opposite of aggressive is passive.
Fierce and timid are opposites.
The second pair must use the same antonym relationship. The opposite of aggressive is passive.
2. Honeyed : sweet :: acrid : _____
- A. base
- B. annoying
- C. bitter
- D. salty
Show Answer
Answer: C. bitter
Honeyed can mean sweet.
Acrid can mean bitter, sharp, or unpleasant, so bitter completes the synonym relationship.
Honeyed can mean sweet.
Acrid can mean bitter, sharp, or unpleasant, so bitter completes the synonym relationship.
3. Small : tiny :: large : _____
- A. medium
- B. enormous
- C. narrow
- D. ravenous
Show Answer
Answer: B. enormous
Tiny expresses a stronger degree of smallness than small.
In the same way, enormous expresses a stronger degree of size than large.
Tiny expresses a stronger degree of smallness than small.
In the same way, enormous expresses a stronger degree of size than large.
4. Knowledgeable : ignorant :: serious : _____
- A. solemn
- B. playful
- C. costumed
- D. quiet
Show Answer
Answer: B. playful
Knowledgeable and ignorant are opposites.
Serious and playful form the matching antonym pair.
Knowledgeable and ignorant are opposites.
Serious and playful form the matching antonym pair.
5. Hemingway : American :: Woolf : _____
- A. British
- B. Greek
- C. Colombian
- D. French
Show Answer
Answer: A. British
Ernest Hemingway was an American author.
Virginia Woolf was a British author, so the relationship is author to nationality.
Ernest Hemingway was an American author.
Virginia Woolf was a British author, so the relationship is author to nationality.
6. Oklahoma : Texas :: Oregon : _____
- A. Connecticut
- B. Illinois
- C. North Carolina
- D. Washington
Show Answer
Answer: D. Washington
Oklahoma shares a border with Texas.
Oregon shares a border with Washington, creating the same neighboring-state relationship.
Oklahoma shares a border with Texas.
Oregon shares a border with Washington, creating the same neighboring-state relationship.
7. Square : cube :: circle : _____
- A. rhombus
- B. corner
- C. sphere
- D. cylinder
Show Answer
Answer: C. sphere
A cube is the three-dimensional counterpart commonly associated with a square.
A sphere is the corresponding three-dimensional shape associated with a circle.
A cube is the three-dimensional counterpart commonly associated with a square.
A sphere is the corresponding three-dimensional shape associated with a circle.
8. 90 degrees : right :: 135 degrees : _____
- A. acute
- B. obtuse
- C. straight
- D. reflex
Show Answer
Answer: B. obtuse
An angle measuring 90 degrees is a right angle.
An angle measuring 135 degrees is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees, so it is obtuse.
An angle measuring 90 degrees is a right angle.
An angle measuring 135 degrees is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees, so it is obtuse.
9. Defeat : disappointment :: victory : _____
- A. elation
- B. contagion
- C. hospitality
- D. confusion
Show Answer
Answer: A. elation
Defeat may lead to disappointment.
In the same cause-and-effect relationship, victory may lead to elation, or great happiness.
Defeat may lead to disappointment.
In the same cause-and-effect relationship, victory may lead to elation, or great happiness.
10. Puppy : dog :: kitten : _____
- A. cub
- B. cat
- C. horse
- D. rabbit
Show Answer
Answer: B. cat
A puppy is a young dog.
A kitten is a young cat, so the relationship is young animal to adult animal.
A puppy is a young dog.
A kitten is a young cat, so the relationship is young animal to adult animal.
How to Solve Analogy Questions
- State the relationship between the first two words in a short sentence.
- Apply that same sentence to the second pair.
- Check that the relationship works in the same direction.
- Eliminate choices that are related to the topic but do not match the exact relationship.