Verbal Analogy: Key Strategies, Types & Examples
Verbal Analogy: Key Strategies, Types & Examples
Introduction
Verbal Analogy questions are a crucial part of aptitude tests that assess your ability to identify relationships between word pairs. They test logical reasoning and vocabulary skills, making them an important topic in competitive exams and placement tests. This guide will help you understand different types of verbal analogies, effective strategies to solve them, and provide solved examples for better clarity.
Strategies to Solve Verbal Analogy Questions
To answer Verbal Analogy questions efficiently, follow these key strategies:
- Identify the Relationship: Before looking at the answer choices, determine the relationship between the given word pair.
- Refine the Relationship: If multiple options fit, try making the relationship more specific.
- Consider Secondary Meanings: Words may have multiple meanings, so think beyond the obvious.
- Analyze the Part of Speech: Check if the words function as nouns, verbs, or adjectives to ensure consistency with answer choices.
Common Types of Verbal Analogies
Here are the most frequently asked types of verbal analogies in aptitude tests:
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Synonym | ALLEVIATE : REDUCE |
| Antonym | BIASED : IMPARTIAL |
| Characteristic | LION : FEROCIOUS |
| Degree of Intensity | COOL : FREEZE |
| Part to Whole | KEYBOARD : COMPUTER |
| Manner | STUTTER : SPEAK |
| Worker-Product | ARTIST : SKETCH |
| Worker-Tool | DOCTOR : STETHOSCOPE |
| Tool-Action | FILE : SMOOTHENING |
Solved Examples
Example 1: WHISPER : SPEAK :: ?
Options:
- brush : touch
- skip : walk
- listen : hear
- request : ask
Correct Answer: (1) brush : touch
Explanation: To whisper means to speak softly. Similarly, to brush means to touch lightly.
Example 2: FRUGAL : PARSIMONIOUS :: ?
Options:
- joy : ecstasy
- poor : misery
- love : hate
- rich : poor
Correct Answer: (1) joy : ecstasy
Explanation: Being frugal means spending carefully, similar to being parsimonious, which means being miserly. Likewise, joy is a lower degree of ecstasy.
Example 3: Automobile : Petrol :: ?
Options:
- fire : fuel
- plane : propeller
- diesel : gas
- man : food
Correct Answer: (4) man : food
Explanation: An automobile needs petrol to function, just as a man needs food to survive.
Example 4: Paw : Cat :: Hoof : ?
Options:
- dog
- lamb
- horse
- elephant
Correct Answer: (3) horse
Explanation: A cat’s foot is called a paw, and a horse’s foot is called a hoof.
Example 5: Calf : Cow :: Puppy : ?
Options:
- cub
- kitten
- dog
- snake
Correct Answer: (3) dog
Explanation: A calf is the young one of a cow, and a puppy is the young one of a dog.
Example 6: Race : Fatigue :: Fast : ?
Options:
- hunger
- food
- laziness
- sleep
Correct Answer: (1) hunger
Explanation: A race causes fatigue, just as fasting leads to hunger.
Conclusion
Verbal Analogy questions test your ability to recognize word relationships, making them a key component of verbal aptitude tests. By practicing different types of analogies and refining problem-solving strategies, you can improve your accuracy and speed. Regular practice, along with a strong vocabulary, will enhance your performance in competitive exams.
