Analogy questions test whether you can recognize the relationship between two words and then apply that same relationship to another pair. The goal is not just to know the meanings of the words. The goal is to figure out how the words are connected.
A typical analogy looks like this:
Graceful : Clumsy :: Hot : ________
This is read as Graceful is to clumsy as hot is to blank. Since graceful and clumsy are opposites, the missing word should be the opposite of hot. The correct answer is cold.
How to Solve an Analogy
- Look at the first two words and find their relationship.
- Express this relationship in one sentence. For instance, graceful is the opposite of clumsy.
- Repeat the process with the other pair. In the above example, hot is the opposite of cold.
- Ensure that the relationship is directional. Puppy is the baby dog, but dog cannot be called the baby puppy.
- Eliminate any choice that has a loose relationship with the other word. Only the right option can have a similar relationship.
Common Types of Analogies
| Relationship Type | Example | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Synonym | Mad : Angry | The two words have similar meanings. |
| Antonym | Hot : Cold | The two words have opposite meanings. |
| Description | Giraffe : Tall | The second word describes the first word. |
| Part to Whole | Slice : Pizza | The first word is part of the second word. |
| Item to Category | Basketball : Sport | The first word belongs to the category named by the second word. |
| Young to Adult | Puppy : Dog | The first word names the young form of the second word. |
Analogy Strategy Example
Puppy : Dog :: Kitten : ________
At first, this may not look like a synonym, antonym, or part-to-whole analogy. When that happens, turn the analogy into a sentence:
A puppy is a baby dog.
Now apply the same sentence to the second pair:
A kitten is a baby ________.
The missing word is cat.
Practice Analogies
Choose the word that best completes each analogy.
- finish
- open
- delay
- repeat
Show Answer
Answer: A. finish
Begin and start are synonyms. The synonym of end is finish.
- success
- contest
- defeat
- winner
Show Answer
Answer: C. defeat
Night and day are opposites. The opposite of victory is defeat.
- actor
- movie
- camera
- ticket
Show Answer
Answer: B. movie
A chapter is part of a book. A scene is part of a movie.
- song
- string
- instrument
- sound
Show Answer
Answer: C. instrument
A hammer is a type of tool. A violin is a type of instrument.
- round
- heavy
- sharp
- small
Show Answer
Answer: B. heavy
This is a descriptive analogy. A feather is often described as light. A stone is often described as heavy.
Analogy Tips
- Do not choose an answer just because it is related to one word in the question.
- Look for the exact relationship between the first two words.
- Read the analogy as a sentence when the relationship is unclear.
- Check that the answer works in the same direction as the original pair.
- Eliminate answers that are too broad, too narrow, or only vaguely connected.
Strong analogy answers match the relationship, not just the topic. Once you can name the relationship in the first pair, the second pair becomes much easier to complete.