What is Analogy?
An analogy is a word used in terms of comparing two things or finding a relation between two things.
- The word Analogy is a noun, which literally means a similar feature, condition, state, etc. shared by two things that are compared. Questions on Verbal Analogy judge your ability to understand the diverse relationship between various elements, things, phenomena, acts, terms, etc., in their proper context. Such questions are aimed at testing the candidate’s overall knowledge, power of reasoning, and ability to think conclusively and logically.

Example of Analogy
- A candidate can develop and improve his ability to judge conclusively through sufficient practice and awareness.
- The questions are also a test of the general knowledge of the student.
Types of Analogy
- Numerical Analogy (Odd One Out) – A set of options may be given based on a certain pattern, and one of them may be unlikely to follow the pattern, and candidates need to choose the odd one out.
- Numerical Analogy (Choose a similar pair) – An analogy may be given in the question and candidates may have to find a similar analogy based on the same pattern from the given options
Example 1: From the given options, find the pair which is similar to the given pair: 8:4
(a) 27:9
(b) 216:32
(c) 72:24
(d) 45:5
(e) 37:13
The correct answer is option (a)
Solution:
The pattern followed is “Cube of a number: square of the same number”
So, (2×2×2) : (2×2) = 8:4
Similarly, (3×3×3) : (3×3) = 27:9
- Alphabetical/Word Analogy (Odd One Out) – Options for different word analogy may be given, in which one may not be following the set pattern, Candidates need to find that odd one out from the given options
Example 2: From the given options, choose the odd one out.
(a) Bangladesh: Taka
(b) Brazil: Real
(c) Cyprus: Dollar
(d) Iran: Rial
(e) Japan: Yen
The correct answer is option (c)
Solution: Cyprus: Dollar; All the other options given are correct in terms of country and their currency. The currency of Cyprus is Euro
- Alphabetical/Word Analogy (Choose a similar pair) – An analogy may be given based on a set pattern, and candidates may have to find the word analogy pair from the given options that follows the exact same pattern.
Question for Analogy: Reasoning Preparation
Try yourself: Find the odd one out from the given options.
Explanation
Here's the reasoning:
- Book: Author – An author creates a book.
- Art: Artist – An artist creates art.
- Invention: Scientist – A scientist may invent something.
- Pot: Potter – A potter creates a pot.
In all these cases, the second entity is responsible for creating or producing the first entity.
- Patients: Doctors – Doctors do not create or produce patients; instead, they treat them. This relationship is different from the creation/production relationship seen in the other pairs.
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Tips & Tricks to Solve Reasoning Analogy
Given below are a few tips that may help you prepare for the reasoning analogy questions and also help you solve the questions faster:
- The first thing to solve an analogy question is to judge the pattern that is being followed in the given analogy.
- If a candidate is unable to analyse the pattern followed, he/she must refer to the options given. It shall simply analysing the pattern.
- For numerical questions, squares, cubes, multiplication, addition, etc. based patterns may be followed. So ensure that you recheck these patterns as well.
- It is easy to score marks in questions based on analogy, as they are direct and not very complicated.
- Having knowledge of basic static GK shall also be important for these questions.
Important Relationships
1. Instrument and Measurement
- Thermometer - Temperature
- Anemometer - Wind vane
- Odometer - Speed
- Scale - Length
- Balance - Mass
- Sphygmomanometer - Blood Pressure
- Rain Gauge - Rain
- Hygrometer - Humidity
- Ammeter - Current
- Screw Gauge - Thickness
- Seismograph - Earthquakes
- Taseometer - Strains
2. Quantity and Unit
- Mass - Kilogram
- Energy - Joule
- Volume - Litre
- Power - Watt
- Work - Joule
- Area - Hectare
- Force - Newton
- Resistance - Ohm
- Angle - Radians
- Potential - Volt
- Current - Ampere
- Temperature - Degrees
Question for Analogy: Reasoning Preparation
Try yourself:Current is related to Ampere in the same way as Weight is related to
Explanation
Current is measured in terms of Ampere and Weight is measured in terms of Pound.
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3. Individual and Group
- Grape - Bunch of Grapes
- Key - Bunch of Keys
- Flower - Bunch of Flowers
- Stick - Bundle of Stick
- Mountain - Chain of Mountains
- Sheep - Flock of Sheep
- Bird - Flight of Birds
- Star - Galaxy of Stars
- Tree - Grove of Trees
- Labourer - Gang of Labourers
- Deer - Herd of Deer
- Swine - Herd of Swine
- Bee - Hive of Bees
- Cattle - Herd of Cattle
- Ruin - Heap of Ruins
- Stone - Heap of Stones
- Sand - Heap of Sand
- Hound - Pack of hounds
- Shoes - Pair of Shoes
- Hill - Range of Hills
- Event - Series of Events
- Fly - Swarm of flies
- Horse - Troop of Horses
4. Animal and Young One
- Cow - Calf
- Cat - Kitten
- Butterfly - Caterpillar
- Dog - Puppy
- Lion - Cub
- Man - Child
- Wolf - Cub
- Goat - Kid
- Fox - Cub
- Horse - Pony
- Sheep - Lamb
- Insect - Larva
- Hen - Chicken
- Duck - Duckling
- Bear - Cub
- Deer - Fawn
- Frog - Tadpole
- Stag - Fawn
Example 3. ‘Chicken’ is related to ‘Hen’ in the same way as ‘Kitten’ is related to …………..
(a) Dog
(b) Cat
(c) Duck
(d) Swan
The correct answer is option (b)
Solution: “Here, animal and young one relationship has been shown. Chicken is the young one of hen. In same way, kitten is young one of cat.”
Question for Analogy: Reasoning Preparation
Try yourself:“Pony” is related to “Horse” in the same way as “puppy” is related to
Explanation
Solution. (d) “Here, animal and young one relationship has been shown. Pony is young one of Horse. In the same way, Puppy is young one of Dog.”
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5. Word and Intensity
- Anger - Rage
- Kindle - Burn
- Quarrel - War
- Famous - Renowned
- Refuse - Deny
- Moist - Drench
- Wish - Desire
- Sink - Drown
- Error - Blunder
- Unhappy - Sad
- Crime - Sin
6. Male and Female
- Horse - Mare
- Stag - Doe
- Lion - Lioness
- Husband - Wife
- Nephew - Niece
- Bull - Cow
- Gander - Goose
- Wizard - Witch
- Cock - Hen
- Stallion - Mare
- Tiger - Tigress
- Actor - Actress
- Author - Authoress
- Prince - Princess
- Earl - Countess
- Dog - Bitch
- Boy - Girl
- Drone - Bee
- Gentleman - Lady
- Bear - She-bear
- Fox - Vixen
- Duck - Drake
- Bridegroom - Bride
- Waiter - Waitress
- Monk - Nun
- Master - Mistress
- King - Queen
- Leopard - Leopardess
- Ram - Ewe
- Fiancé - Fiancée
Question for Analogy: Reasoning Preparation
Try yourself:“Dog” is related to “Bitch” in the same way as “Tiger” is related to
Explanation
Solution (b) “Here Male-Female relationship has been shown. Dog is male and its female counterpart is bitch. In similar way, Tiger is male and its female counterpart is Tigress.”
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7. Individual and Class
- Lizard - Reptile
- Ostrich - Bird
- Butterfly - Insect
- Rat - Rodent
- Man - Mammal
- Snake - Reptile
- Whale - Mammal
- Fish - Pisces
8. Homes/Dwelling Places

9. Study and Topic
- Ornithology - Birds
- Botany - Plants
- Entomology - Insects
- Oology - Eggs
- Virology - Viruses
- Herpetology - Amphibians
- Pathology - Diseases
- Palaeography - Writings
- Cardiology - Heart
- Haematology - Blood
- Mycology - Fungi
- Malacology - Molluscs
- Taxonomy - Classification
- Orography - Mountains
- Eccrinology - Secretions
- Nidology - Nests
- Astronomy - Heavenly Bodies
- Seismology - Earthquakes
- Onomatology - Names
- Zoology - Animals
10. Worker and Tool
- Blacksmith - Anvil
- Woodcutter - Axe
- Labourer - Spade
- Sculptor - Chisel
- Chef - Knife
- Doctor - Stethoscope
- Surgeon - Scalpel
- Warrior - Sword
- Carpenter - Saw
- Tailor - Needle
11. Tool and Action
- Needle - sew
- Sword - Slaughter
- Filter - Purify
- Pen - Write
- Spoon - Feed
- Gun - Shoot
- Chisel - Carve
- Axe - Cut
- Loudspeaker - Amplify
Question for Analogy: Reasoning Preparation
Try yourself: “Spade” is related to “dig” in the same way as “Axe” is related to
Explanation
Solution: “Spade is used for digging. Similarly, Axe is used to cut the trees
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12. Worker and Working Place
- Chef - Kitchen
- Warrior - Battlefield
- Sailor - Ship
- Doctor - Hospital
- Servant - House
- Artist - Theater
- Actor - Stage
- Lawyer - Court
- Beautician - Parlour
- Painter - Gallery
Question for Analogy: Reasoning Preparation
Try yourself:“Court” is related to “Lawyers” in the same way as “School” is related to
Explanation
Solution. (c) “Lawyers plead in the court and Teacher teach in the school. Thus, this question is based on worker-working place relationship.
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13. Worker and Product
- Mason - Wall
- Hunter - Prey
- Butcher - Meat
- Cobbler - Shoes
- Poet - Poem
- Teacher - Education
- Judge - Justice
- Farmer - Crop
- Author - Book
- Architect - Design
- Dramatist - Play
- Tailor - Clothes
- Chef - Food
- Producer - Film
Question for Analogy: Reasoning Preparation
Try yourself:Following questions find out the alternative which will replace the question mark.
Architect : Building :: Sculptor : ?
Explanation
As 'Architect' makes 'Building' similarly 'Sculptor' makes 'Statue'.
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14. Product and Raw Material
- Prism - Glass
- Wall - Brick
- Shoes - Leather
- Metal - Ore
- Jaggery - Sugarcane
- Fabric - Yarn
- Road - Asphalt
- Sack - Jute
- Paper - Pulp
- Oil - Seed
- Butter - Milk
- Furniture - Wood
- Pullover - Wool
- Rubber - Latex
- Wine - Grapes
- Cloth - Fibre
- Book - Paper
- Linen - Flax
- Jewellery - Gold
- Paper - Pulp
15. Part and Whole Relationship
- Pen - Nib
- House - Kitchen
- Class - Student
- Book - Chapter
- Computer - Mouse
- Garden - Plants
- Pencil - Lead
- Computer - Monitor
- Room - Window
- Airplane - Cockpit
- Flower - Petal
- Fruit - Seed
16. Animals and Sound
- Assess - Bray
- Bees - Hum
- Camels - Grunt
- Cattle - Low
- Crows - Crow
- Elephant - Trumpet
- Flies - Buzz
- Hawks - Scream
- Monkeys - Chatter
- Lambs - Bleat
- Nightingale - Sing
- Bears - Growl
17. Where Persons, Things, Animals, Etc Are Kept, Grown, Exhibited, Stored
- Airplanes are kept in a hangar.
- Athletic competitions are held in a stadium.
- Athletic exercises are performed in a gymnasium.
- Astronomical observations are made in an observatory.
- Bees are kept in an apiary.
- Clothes are kept in a wardrobe.
- Dead bodies are buried in a cemetery.
- Dead bodies are cremated in a crematorium.
- Fishes are kept in an aquarium.
- Fruit trees are grown in an orchard.
- Gas is stored in a cylinder.
- Goods are stored in a depot.
- Grains are stored in granaries.
- Grapes are grown in a vineyard.
- Guns are kept in an armoury.
- Medicines are compounded in dispensaries.
- Motorcars are kept in a garage.
- Scientific experiments are conducted in a laboratory.
- Sick people are treated in hospitals.
- Young plants grow in nursery.
18. State and Capital
Example 4: “Delhi” is related to “India” in the same way as “London” is related to?
(a) Germany
(b) England
(c) Canada
(d) France
The correct answer is option (b)
Solution: Delhi is the capital of India. Similarly, London is the capital of England.
Question for Analogy: Reasoning Preparation
Try yourself:“Tamil Nadu” is related to “Chennai” in the same way as “Punjab” is related to?
Explanation
Tamil Nadu and Punjab are two states of India. Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu. Similarly, Chandigarh is the capital of Punjab.
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19. Name of Countries/Capitals & Currency



Example 5: “Italy is related to “Euro” in the same way as “China” is related to
(a) Shekel
(b) Renminbi
(c) Krone
(d) Dollar
The correct answer is option (b)
Solution: "Italy” is a country and its currency is called Euro. Similarly, the currency of China is Renminbi.
20. Name of the Parliaments of Some Countries


Question for Analogy: Reasoning Preparation
Try yourself: “India” is related to “Parliament” in the same way as “Japan” is related to
Explanation
The correct answer is option (d)
Solution: Japan’s Parliament is called Diet.
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