📑 Topics on this page (Jump to Topic):
📌 1. What is Analogy?
- A : B :: C : ? — the relation between A and B must be the same between C and the answer.
- First say the relation as one sentence: "A doctor works in a hospital". Then apply the same sentence to C.
- Order matters: Cow : Calf ≠ Calf : Cow.
📌 2. Main Relations in Word Analogy
| Relation | Example |
|---|---|
| Worker : Tool | Carpenter : Saw, Tailor : Needle |
| Worker : Workplace | Doctor : Hospital, Teacher : School |
| Maker : Product | Author : Book, Poet : Poem |
| Animal : Young one | Cow : Calf, Dog : Puppy, Frog : Tadpole |
| Animal : Sound | Lion : Roar, Horse : Neigh, Snake : Hiss |
| Animal : Home | Bee : Apiary, Horse : Stable, Lion : Den |
| Synonym / Antonym | Big : Large / Hot : Cold |
| Part : Whole | Page : Book, Petal : Flower |
| Instrument : Quantity | Thermometer : Temperature, Barometer : Pressure |
| Unit : Quantity | Ampere : Current, Ohm : Resistance, Joule : Energy |
| Country : Capital / Currency | Japan : Tokyo / Yen |
| Cause : Effect | Virus : Disease, Fire : Smoke |
💡 Memory Tip: Look for the most specific relation; a loose one like 'both are things' fits many options.
📌 3. Number Analogy
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| Square / Cube | 3 : 9 :: 5 : 25; 2 : 8 :: 4 : 64 |
| n² ± 1, n³ ± 1 | 4 : 17 :: 6 : 37 (n²+1) |
| Multiply / Divide | 7 : 42 :: 9 : 54 (×6) |
| Digit sum / product | 23 : 6 :: 45 : 20 (2×3, 4×5) |
| Consecutive primes | 11 : 13 :: 17 : 19 |
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- Several rules may fit one pair (e.g. 2:4 = ×2 or square); check with options which rule gives only one answer.
- If the odd pair is asked, first confirm the common rule of the other three pairs.
📌 4. Letter Analogy
- Remember positions: A1 … Z26; reverse position = 27 − position (A↔Z, B↔Y).
- EJOTY = 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 — for quick positions.
- Common patterns: each letter +1/−1, reversed order, opposite letters, increasing gaps +2,+3,+4.
Example: ACE : BDF :: GIK : HJL (each letter +1).
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- After Z, counting wraps back to A (cyclic).
- Reverse and opposite differ: reverse of CAT is TAC, opposite is XZG.
📌 5. Rules for Figure Analogy
- Rotation: 45°/90°/135° clockwise or anticlockwise.
- Number of elements increasing/decreasing, shading change, inner and outer figures swapping.
- Number of sides: triangle (3) → square (4) → pentagon (5).
💡 Memory Tip: Check one property at a time (shape, count, direction, shading) and eliminate options.
📌 6. Practice MCQs
📝 Practice MCQs (prepared by SF Prep — not PYQs)
Q1. Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
A doctor works in a hospital; a teacher works in a school (worker : workplace).
A doctor works in a hospital; a teacher works in a school (worker : workplace).
Q2. Cow : Calf :: Frog : ? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
The young one of a frog is a tadpole.
The young one of a frog is a tadpole.
Q3. Thermometer : Temperature :: Barometer : ? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
A barometer measures atmospheric pressure.
A barometer measures atmospheric pressure.
Q4. Ampere : Current :: Ohm : ? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Ohm is the SI unit of resistance.
Ohm is the SI unit of resistance.
Q5. Lion : Roar :: Horse : ? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
A horse neighs; bray is the sound of a donkey.
A horse neighs; bray is the sound of a donkey.
Q6. Bee : Apiary :: Horse : ? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
A horse lives in a stable; kennel is for dogs, byre for cows, sty for pigs.
A horse lives in a stable; kennel is for dogs, byre for cows, sty for pigs.
Q7. 3 : 27 :: 5 : ? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
3³ = 27, so 5³ = 125.
3³ = 27, so 5³ = 125.
Q8. 4 : 17 :: 7 : ? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
4² + 1 = 17, so 7² + 1 = 50.
4² + 1 = 17, so 7² + 1 = 50.
Q9. 23 : 6 :: 47 : ? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Product of digits: 2×3 = 6, 4×7 = 28.
Product of digits: 2×3 = 6, 4×7 = 28.
Q10. 11 : 13 :: 23 : ? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
The next prime after 11 is 13; the next prime after 23 is 29.
The next prime after 11 is 13; the next prime after 23 is 29.
Q11. ACE : BDF :: GIK : ? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Each letter +1: G→H, I→J, K→L.
Each letter +1: G→H, I→J, K→L.
Q12. CAT : XZG :: DOG : ? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Opposite letters (27 − position): D→W, O→L, G→T.
Opposite letters (27 − position): D→W, O→L, G→T.
Q13. PEN : NEP :: CUP : ? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
The word is reversed: CUP → PUC.
The word is reversed: CUP → PUC.
Q14. BD : GI :: LN : ? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Each letter +5: L→Q, N→S.
Each letter +5: L→Q, N→S.
Q15. Author : Book :: Sculptor : ? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
An author creates a book; a sculptor creates a statue (maker : product). Chisel is his tool.
An author creates a book; a sculptor creates a statue (maker : product). Chisel is his tool.
Q16. Japan : Yen :: Russia : ? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Japan's currency is the yen; Russia's is the rouble.
Japan's currency is the yen; Russia's is the rouble.
Q17. Petal : Flower :: Page : ? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
A petal is part of a flower; a page is part of a book.
A petal is part of a flower; a page is part of a book.
Q18. 8 : 512 :: 6 : ? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
8³ = 512, 6³ = 216.
8³ = 512, 6³ = 216.
Q19. Virus : Disease :: Fire : ? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
A virus causes disease; fire causes smoke (cause : effect).
A virus causes disease; fire causes smoke (cause : effect).
Q20. 12 : 144 :: 15 : ? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
12² = 144, 15² = 225.
12² = 144, 15² = 225.