An ANALOGY is a comparison between things in order to show how they are similar or different.
It is a way to better understand the subjects nature, purpose, and function.
Another way to think about ANALOGIES is to think of them as word relationships.
Water is to liquid as ice is to a solid.
In this ANALOGY, we are comparing the words WATER and ICE.
On a test, this analogy would be written like this:
Water:Liquid::Ice:Solid
The symbols
: = is to
:: = as
** However, on a test, you would have to complete the ANALOGY by filling in a missing word.
Water:Liquid::Ice: ________
STEPS TO SOLVING AN ANALOGY PROBLEM
STEP #1 - Figure out the relationship between the given relationship.
What are the ANALOGY RELATIONSHIPS?
- Synoynms = end:terminate
- Antonyms = bad:good
- Worker and Tool Used = soldier:gun
- Tool and Object = hammer: nail
- Function of a tool = scissors: cut
- Worker and Object = plumber:plunger
- Cause and Effect = intoxicated:accident
- Effect and Cause = fire:lightning strikes
- Material used and end product = lumber:house
- Part to a whole = microchip:computer
- Person and goal = detective:solve crime
- Masculine and Feminine = actor:actress
- Age = infant: old age
- Person and Descriptive Adjective = weightlifter:strong
- Person and what he/she avoids = student: failure
- Symbol and what it stands for = cross: religion
- Mathematical Relationship = one:three
- Measurement = mile:distance
- Classification and Type = dog:collie
- Degree of Intensity = puddle:ocean
So, what is the relationship of the analogies below?
cake:baker – Object and Worker Relationship
pages:book – Part of a Whole Relationship
STEP #2 – Find the word in to complete the ANALOGY that follows the same relationship pattern
cake:baker:: novel: __________
So, a cake is the object created by a baker and a novel is the object created by a ______________.
pages:book:: tires: ____________
So, pages are a part of a book and tires are part of a _________________.
Let’s do some more!
FISH : SCHOOL :: ________ : __________
A. octopus : tentacle
B. carp : car
C. lion : pride
D. student : university
E. pack : wolf
GASOLINE : CAR :: ___________ : ___________
A. petroleum : rig
B. track : locomotive
C. wind : windmill
D. bicycle : wheel
E. trampoline : power
NEPHROLOGIST : KIDNEY :: ____________ : _____________
A. liver : lung
B. journalist : newspaper
C. internist : organ
D. cardiologist : coronary
E. neurologist : nervous system
KNITTER : YARN :: __________ : ___________
A. sculptor : chisel
B. singer : microphone
C. dancer : shoes
D. drummer : bass
E. seamstress : cloth
TOME : BOOK :: _________ : ____________
A. drone : bee
B. metropolis : city
C. hardcover : pulp
D. roof : window
E. shelf : encyclopedia
HERE are some more ANALOGY Excercies!
Answers to above multiple choice questions – C, C, E, E, B
