Analogy: Concepts, Formulas, and Clear Examples
Analogy items test whether you can spot the relationship between two words and apply the same relationship to a third word to find the missing fourth. The pair in the question stem is your template; the options are candidates for the parallel pair.
Placement MCQs (TCS, Infosys, Cognizant, Capgemini) favor clear semantic links—synonym/antonym, part–whole, cause–effect, worker–tool, degree, or function. Speed comes from naming the link in one short phrase, then eliminating options that break it.
Core relationship types
Most analogies fall into a small set of patterns. If you can label the stem as “A is a type of B,” “A is the opposite of B,” or “A is used to do B,” the answer is the option whose pair uses the same label.
- Synonym / antonym: happy : joyful :: sad : ?
- Part–whole: wheel : car :: page : ?
- Cause–effect: rain : flood :: drought : ?
- Worker–tool: carpenter : chisel :: surgeon : ?
- Function: key : lock :: password : ?
- Degree: warm : hot :: cool : ?
Word order and direction
Analogies are directional. If the stem is A : B :: C : D, the link must run from A to B and from C to D in the same order. Reversing (B : A) in the answer is a common trap unless the stem itself is reversed.
- Check whether the first word is the larger category or the smaller part.
- “Doctor : Hospital” is workplace; “Hospital : Doctor” is not the same unless the question uses that order.
Elimination without guessing
- Cross out options where the part of speech does not match (noun–noun vs verb–noun).
- Reject pairs that are merely associated (coffee : morning) when the stem is functional (pen : write).
- If two options look similar, test the stem link on both and pick the exact match.
Hard stems: abstract and double links
Some stems use abstract words (freedom : tyranny) or compound relations (author : book :: composer : ? needs “composer : symphony,” not “composer : piano” unless the stem is instrument-based).
Example — Function analogy
Odometer : Distance :: Thermometer : ?
Odometer measures distance. Thermometer measures temperature. Answer: Temperature (not heat, not weather).
Exam shortcuts
- Say the link aloud in 3–5 words before reading options.
- When stuck between two, rewrite the stem as a sentence: “An odometer is for measuring distance, so a thermometer is for measuring ___.”
- Never pick an option because words ‘sound’ related in general knowledge.
Verification checklist
- Same relationship type as stem?
- Same order A→B and C→D?
- Same grammatical category?
- No extra assumption beyond the link?
Step-by-step method for exam questions
- Read A : B and write one relationship label (e.g. ‘measures,’ ‘opposite of,’ ‘part of’).
- Apply that label to C to predict what D should be.
- Scan options; eliminate wrong relationship types first.
- Test the best two candidates against the stem sentence.
- Confirm direction and part of speech.
- Select D and mentally re-check with a one-line justification.
Formula cheat sheet
| Situation | Formula | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Same meaning | A ≈ B :: C ≈ D | Synonym pairs in stem |
| Opposite | A ⊥ B :: C ⊥ D | Antonym stems |
| Part of whole | A ⊂ B :: C ⊂ D | Component questions |
| Tool / worker | A uses B :: C uses D | Profession items |
| Intensity | A < B :: C < D | Degree analogies |
Frequently asked questions
What if two options seem correct?
Pick the one that matches the exact stem link. ‘Book : Library’ is location; ‘Book : Page’ is part–whole—only one fits the stem.
Should I know obscure vocabulary?
Usually one word is common; infer its partner from the link. Build vocab from past papers, but logic beats memorization.
Do analogies appear in technical tests?
Yes in many NQT/verbal sections; treat them as logic, not literature.
How much time per question?
Target 45–60 seconds: label link, eliminate two options, confirm one.
Practice on this platform
Use 4 practice sets (10 MCQs, detailed solution after each answer) and 2 timed mocks (20 minutes) on this topic to convert formulas into speed and accuracy.