Introduction to
Analogies
“Genius is the capacity to see 10
things where the ordinary man sees
one.” – Erza Pound
What is an analogy?
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An analogy is a type of word problem that
consists of two word pairs.
To solve the analogy you must find a word
that correctly completes the second pair.
At first glance, the words in an analogy
may seem to have nothing to do with each
other, but the words are always logically
related.
The first pair of words has a relationship
similar to the second pair of words.
To solve the analogy, you need to figure
out that relationship.
There are different relationship patterns.
Analogy Example
Example:
GRACEFUL : CLUMSY :: HOT : _______
 Read the analogy like this: Graceful is to
clumsy as hot is to ‘blank.’
 Then ask yourself: What's the relationship
between graceful and clumsy? These
words have opposite meanings – they are
antonyms – so the second pair of words
must also be antonyms.
 Fill in the blank with a word that means the
opposite of hot, and you’ve solved the
analogy. The best answer is COLD.
Relationship #1: Synonyms
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Two words that mean the same
thing.
Unhappy: sad
•Detective: inspector :: teacher: _____
(professor, student, child)
•Incognito: disguised :: foolish:_____
(smart, funny, senseless)
•Clue: hint :: cup: ___
(mug, saucer, drink)
Relationship #2: Antonyms
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Two words that have opposite
meanings.
In: out
•Begin: end:: open:_____ (reach, unlock, close)
•Intelligence: stupidity:: beautiful:_____ (glamorous, ugly,
pretty)
•Chaos: order:: courage:___ (strictness, rule, cowardice)
Relationship #3: Part/Whole
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The first word in each pair
names a part of what the
second word names.
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Article: newspaper :: chapter: book
An article is a part of a newspaper. A
chapter is a part of a book.
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•Fork: tine :: piano: ___ (tune, note, pedal)
•Nose: face :: elbow: ___(arm, wrist, knee)
•Tires: ambulance :: knob: ___ (horn, door, typewriter)
Relationship #4: Category
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Show a relationship between a category
and something that resides within that
category.
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Insect: bumblebee :: nervous system: brain
An insect is the category under which a
bumblebee falls. The nervous system is the
category that contains the brain.
These can follow three rules:
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Main and Sub categories- fruit: apple :: utensil: fork
Sub and Main categories- Maple: tree :: rose: flower
Similar categories- potato: carrot :: Doberman: Collie
Category Examples
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Insect: mosquito :: dog: ___
(cat, bone, collie)
Bird: parrot :: vermin : ___
(poison, animal, mouse)
Color: red :: candy: ___
(sweet, chocolate, wrapper)
Tip #1
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Make sure you are considering the
words in terms of their definition.
Don’t add extra “baggage” to the
question.
Example: Monster : scary
By DEFINITION a monster is scary.
Do not think to yourself, “Well, not
every monster is scary.” Just
consider the definitions of words and
the relationships between them.
Tip #2
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Many of the analogy questions
can be answered without the
knowledge of the words.
Example: Word 1: Word 2
Up: down (antonyms)
 Cold: hot
(antonyms)
 Register: cash
(degree)
 Polite: rude (antonyms)
 Friendly: hostile
(antonyms
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