Reasoning

Analogy: Practice Questions with Answers

39 practice questions on Analogy, with answers; most also have an explanation or a worked solution. Try each one before you open its answer.

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1. Q.1

   Pen is to Writer as Brush is to ?

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   Answer: Painter

   Solution:

   1. A Pen is the tool a Writer uses to do their work.
   2. Applying the same "tool used by" relationship: a Brush is the tool a Painter uses.

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2. Q.2

   4 : 16 :: 6 : ?

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   Answer: 36

   Solution:

   1. Check the relationship between 4 and 16: 4² = 16, so the operation is "squared".
   2. Apply the same operation to 6: 6² = 36.

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3. Q.3

   Bouquet is to Flowers as Flock is to ?

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   Answer: Birds

   Solution:

   1. The relationship is "a named group of" — a Bouquet is a group of Flowers.
   2. A "Flock" is the standard collective noun for a group of Birds (it's also used for sheep and goats, but birds is the most common pairing).

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4. Q.4

   ACE is to BDF as GHI is to ?

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   Answer: HIJ

   Solution:

   1. Compare each letter: A→B, C→D, E→F — every letter has shifted forward by exactly 1 place.
   2. Apply the same +1 shift to G, H, I: G→H, H→I, I→J.

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5. Q.5

   Big is to Small as Fast is to ?

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   Answer: Slow

   Solution:

   1. The relationship is "opposite of" — Small is the opposite of Big.
   2. Applying the same relationship: the opposite of Fast is Slow.

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6. Q.6

   Author is to Novel as Sculptor is to ?

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   Answer: Sculpture

   Solution:

   1. The relationship is "creator of" — an Author creates a Novel.
   2. Applying the same relationship: a Sculptor creates a Sculpture.

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7. Q.7

   Mango is to Fruit as Carrot is to ?

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   Answer: Vegetable

   Solution:

   1. The relationship is "type of" — Mango is a type of Fruit.
   2. Applying the same relationship: Carrot is a type of Vegetable.

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8. Q.8

   Rose is to Flower as Lion is to ?

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   Answer: Animal (type of)

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9. Q.9

   BDF is to CEG as HJL is to ?

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   Answer: IKM (every letter shifts forward by 1)

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10. Q.10

    Pride is to Lions as Herd is to ?

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    Answer: Cattle (a standard collective noun; also used for elephants or deer)

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11. Q.11

    Composer is to Symphony as Architect is to ?

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    Answer: Building (creator of)

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12. Q.12

    Needle is to Tailor as Scalpel is to ?

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    Answer: Surgeon (tool used by)

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13. Q.13

    2 : 8 :: 3 : ?

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    Answer: 27 (cubed: 2³ = 8, so 3³ = 27)

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14. Q.14

    5 : 30 :: 7 : ?

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    Answer: 56 (the operation is n × (n+1): 5×6=30, so 7×8=56)

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15. Q.15

    Here near and close both mean "at a short distance"; vacant and empty both mean "containing nothing". occupied means "being used by someone"; narrow means "having little width"; distant means "far away". Complete the same-meaning analogy: near : close :: vacant : ?

    1. A occupied
    2. B empty
    3. C narrow
    4. D distant
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    Correct answer: (B) empty

    The first pair shares the stated meaning "at a short distance". Preserve that relationship for vacant: the supplied definition gives empty the same meaning, "containing nothing". The other choices have separately stated meanings and do not match this meaning.

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16. Q.16

    Here quiet and silent both mean "making no noise"; rapid and swift both mean "fast". slow means "not fast"; rough means "uneven"; late means "after the expected time". Complete the same-meaning analogy: quiet : silent :: rapid : ?

    1. A slow
    2. B swift
    3. C rough
    4. D late
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    Correct answer: (B) swift

    The first pair shares the stated meaning "making no noise". Preserve that relationship for rapid: the supplied definition gives swift the same meaning, "fast". The other choices have separately stated meanings and do not match this meaning.

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17. Q.17

    Use only these component relationships: a rung is a component of a ladder; a step is a component of a staircase; a key is a component of a keyboard; a page is a component of a notebook. Preserve component → whole: rung : ladder :: step : ?

    1. A staircase
    2. B ladder
    3. C keyboard
    4. D notebook
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    Correct answer: (A) staircase

    The first pair names a component (rung) followed by its containing whole (ladder). The given component statement places step in a staircase, so staircase preserves the same order. The other wholes belong to different stated components.

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18. Q.18

    Use these meanings: accept means "agree to take"; reject means "refuse to take"; include means "put inside a group"; exclude means "leave outside a group"; add means "put more in"; contain means "hold inside"; list means "write items in order". Complete the opposite-meaning analogy: accept : reject :: include : ?

    1. A exclude
    2. B add
    3. C contain
    4. D list
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    Correct answer: (A) exclude

    accept means "agree to take", whereas reject means the opposite, "refuse to take". Apply the same reversal to include, meaning "put inside a group". The required opposite is exclude, defined as "leave outside a group"; the remaining definitions do not express that opposite.

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19. Q.19

    Use only these component relationships: a branch is a component of a tree; a finger is a component of a hand; a petal is a component of a flower; a wheel is a component of a bicycle. Preserve component → whole: branch : tree :: finger : ?

    1. A hand
    2. B tree
    3. C flower
    4. D bicycle
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    Correct answer: (A) hand

    The first pair names a component (branch) followed by its containing whole (tree). The given component statement places finger in a hand, so hand preserves the same order. The other wholes belong to different stated components.

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20. Q.20

    Here aid and assist both mean "help"; choose and select both mean "pick from available alternatives". reject means "refuse to accept"; gather means "bring together"; divide means "separate into parts". Complete the same-meaning analogy: aid : assist :: choose : ?

    1. A reject
    2. B gather
    3. C divide
    4. D select
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    Correct answer: (D) select

    The first pair shares the stated meaning "help". Preserve that relationship for choose: the supplied definition gives select the same meaning, "pick from available alternatives". The other choices have separately stated meanings and do not match this meaning.

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21. Q.21

    For this question, the assigned function of a key is unlocking a lock; the assigned function of a eraser is removing pencil marks; the assigned function of a pencil is making pencil marks; the assigned function of a ruler is measuring length. Match instrument → assigned function: key : unlocking a lock :: eraser : ?

    1. A removing pencil marks
    2. B unlocking a lock
    3. C making pencil marks
    4. D measuring length
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    Correct answer: (A) removing pencil marks

    The first pair links key to its assigned function, unlocking a lock. According to the supplied function list, eraser is assigned to removing pencil marks. Select that function rather than one belonging to another instrument.

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22. Q.22

    For this question, the assigned function of a broom is sweeping; the assigned function of a sieve is separating particles by size; the assigned function of a hammer is driving nails; the assigned function of a brush is applying paint. Match instrument → assigned function: broom : sweeping :: sieve : ?

    1. A sweeping
    2. B driving nails
    3. C applying paint
    4. D separating particles by size
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    Correct answer: (D) separating particles by size

    The first pair links broom to its assigned function, sweeping. According to the supplied function list, sieve is assigned to separating particles by size. Select that function rather than one belonging to another instrument.

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23. Q.23

    Use the production roles stated here: a designer produces designs; a programmer produces programs; a potter produces pots; a baker produces bread. Complete producer → product: designer : designs :: programmer : ?

    1. A designs
    2. B programs
    3. C pots
    4. D bread
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    Correct answer: (B) programs

    designer is the stated producer of designs. Maintaining producer → product requires the item produced by programmer, which the question identifies as programs. The other options are products assigned to different roles.

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24. Q.24

    Use the production roles stated here: a potter produces pots; a weaver produces cloth; a baker produces bread; a carpenter produces furniture. Complete producer → product: potter : pots :: weaver : ?

    1. A pots
    2. B bread
    3. C furniture
    4. D cloth
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    Correct answer: (D) cloth

    potter is the stated producer of pots. Maintaining producer → product requires the item produced by weaver, which the question identifies as cloth. The other options are products assigned to different roles.

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25. Q.25

    Use these meanings: expand means "become larger"; contract means "become smaller"; rise means "move upwards"; fall means "move downwards"; climb means "move upwards"; pause means "stop temporarily"; remain means "stay in place". Complete the opposite-meaning analogy: expand : contract :: rise : ?

    1. A fall
    2. B climb
    3. C pause
    4. D remain
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    Correct answer: (A) fall

    expand means "become larger", whereas contract means the opposite, "become smaller". Apply the same reversal to rise, meaning "move upwards". The required opposite is fall, defined as "move downwards"; the remaining definitions do not express that opposite.

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26. Q.26

    Use these meanings: temporary means "lasting for a limited time"; permanent means "lasting indefinitely"; flexible means "able to bend easily"; rigid means "unable to bend easily"; pliant means "able to bend easily"; soft means "easy to compress"; light means "low in weight". Complete the opposite-meaning analogy: temporary : permanent :: flexible : ?

    1. A rigid
    2. B pliant
    3. C soft
    4. D light
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    Correct answer: (A) rigid

    temporary means "lasting for a limited time", whereas permanent means the opposite, "lasting indefinitely". Apply the same reversal to flexible, meaning "able to bend easily". The required opposite is rigid, defined as "unable to bend easily"; the remaining definitions do not express that opposite.

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27. Q.27

    Here glad and happy both mean "feeling pleasure"; tiny and minute both mean "extremely small". vast means "extremely large"; average means "ordinary in size"; heavy means "having great weight". Complete the same-meaning analogy: glad : happy :: tiny : ?

    1. A vast
    2. B average
    3. C heavy
    4. D minute
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    Correct answer: (D) minute

    The first pair shares the stated meaning "feeling pleasure". Preserve that relationship for tiny: the supplied definition gives minute the same meaning, "extremely small". The other choices have separately stated meanings and do not match this meaning.

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28. Q.28

    For this question, the assigned function of a needle is stitching; the assigned function of a spade is digging; the assigned function of a saw is cutting wood; the assigned function of a jug is pouring water. Match instrument → assigned function: needle : stitching :: spade : ?

    1. A digging
    2. B stitching
    3. C cutting wood
    4. D pouring water
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    Correct answer: (A) digging

    The first pair links needle to its assigned function, stitching. According to the supplied function list, spade is assigned to digging. Select that function rather than one belonging to another instrument.

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29. Q.29

    For this question, the assigned function of a compass is drawing circles; the assigned function of a ruler is drawing straight lines; the assigned function of a eraser is removing pencil marks; the assigned function of a balance is measuring mass. Match instrument → assigned function: compass : drawing circles :: ruler : ?

    1. A drawing circles
    2. B removing pencil marks
    3. C drawing straight lines
    4. D measuring mass
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    Correct answer: (C) drawing straight lines

    The first pair links compass to its assigned function, drawing circles. According to the supplied function list, ruler is assigned to drawing straight lines. Select that function rather than one belonging to another instrument.

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30. Q.30

    Use the production roles stated here: a author produces books; a composer produces music; a potter produces pots; a tailor produces garments. Complete producer → product: author : books :: composer : ?

    1. A music
    2. B books
    3. C pots
    4. D garments
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    Correct answer: (A) music

    author is the stated producer of books. Maintaining producer → product requires the item produced by composer, which the question identifies as music. The other options are products assigned to different roles.

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31. Q.31

    Use only these component relationships: a screen is a component of a phone; a sleeve is a component of a shirt; a rung is a component of a ladder; a leaf is a component of a plant. Preserve component → whole: screen : phone :: sleeve : ?

    1. A phone
    2. B shirt
    3. C ladder
    4. D plant
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    Correct answer: (B) shirt

    The first pair names a component (screen) followed by its containing whole (phone). The given component statement places sleeve in a shirt, so shirt preserves the same order. The other wholes belong to different stated components.

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32. Q.32

    Use the production roles stated here: a baker produces bread; a tailor produces garments; a weaver produces cloth; a sculptor produces statues. Complete producer → product: baker : bread :: tailor : ?

    1. A bread
    2. B garments
    3. C cloth
    4. D statues
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    Correct answer: (B) garments

    baker is the stated producer of bread. Maintaining producer → product requires the item produced by tailor, which the question identifies as garments. The other options are products assigned to different roles.

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33. Q.33

    Here begin and commence both mean "start"; finish and complete both mean "bring to an end". delay means "make something happen later"; open means "make accessible"; continue means "keep going". Complete the same-meaning analogy: begin : commence :: finish : ?

    1. A complete
    2. B delay
    3. C open
    4. D continue
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    Correct answer: (A) complete

    The first pair shares the stated meaning "start". Preserve that relationship for finish: the supplied definition gives complete the same meaning, "bring to an end". The other choices have separately stated meanings and do not match this meaning.

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34. Q.34

    Use only these component relationships: a wheel is a component of a bicycle; a key is a component of a keyboard; a page is a component of a book; a tile is a component of a floor. Preserve component → whole: wheel : bicycle :: key : ?

    1. A bicycle
    2. B keyboard
    3. C book
    4. D floor
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    Correct answer: (B) keyboard

    The first pair names a component (wheel) followed by its containing whole (bicycle). The given component statement places key in a keyboard, so keyboard preserves the same order. The other wholes belong to different stated components.

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35. Q.35

    Use only these component relationships: a chapter is a component of a book; a petal is a component of a flower; a wheel is a component of a cart; a button is a component of a shirt. Preserve component → whole: chapter : book :: petal : ?

    1. A book
    2. B cart
    3. C flower
    4. D shirt
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    Correct answer: (C) flower

    The first pair names a component (chapter) followed by its containing whole (book). The given component statement places petal in a flower, so flower preserves the same order. The other wholes belong to different stated components.

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36. Q.36

    Use these meanings: abundant means "available in large quantity"; scarce means "available in very small quantity"; transparent means "allowing light through"; opaque means "not allowing light through"; clear means "easy to see through"; bright means "giving much light"; smooth means "without surface roughness". Complete the opposite-meaning analogy: abundant : scarce :: transparent : ?

    1. A clear
    2. B bright
    3. C smooth
    4. D opaque
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    Correct answer: (D) opaque

    abundant means "available in large quantity", whereas scarce means the opposite, "available in very small quantity". Apply the same reversal to transparent, meaning "allowing light through". The required opposite is opaque, defined as "not allowing light through"; the remaining definitions do not express that opposite.

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37. Q.37

    Use these meanings: advance means "move forward"; retreat means "move backward"; increase means "become greater"; decrease means "become smaller"; grow means "become greater"; double means "become twice as much"; maintain means "keep unchanged". Complete the opposite-meaning analogy: advance : retreat :: increase : ?

    1. A grow
    2. B decrease
    3. C double
    4. D maintain
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    Correct answer: (B) decrease

    advance means "move forward", whereas retreat means the opposite, "move backward". Apply the same reversal to increase, meaning "become greater". The required opposite is decrease, defined as "become smaller"; the remaining definitions do not express that opposite.

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38. Q.38

    Use the production roles stated here: a carpenter produces furniture; a sculptor produces statues; a composer produces music; a author produces books. Complete producer → product: carpenter : furniture :: sculptor : ?

    1. A furniture
    2. B music
    3. C books
    4. D statues
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    Correct answer: (D) statues

    carpenter is the stated producer of furniture. Maintaining producer → product requires the item produced by sculptor, which the question identifies as statues. The other options are products assigned to different roles.

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39. Q.39

    For this question, the assigned function of a scissors is cutting; the assigned function of a thermometer is measuring temperature; the assigned function of a balance is measuring mass; the assigned function of a clock is measuring time. Match instrument → assigned function: scissors : cutting :: thermometer : ?

    1. A cutting
    2. B measuring mass
    3. C measuring time
    4. D measuring temperature
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    Correct answer: (D) measuring temperature

    The first pair links scissors to its assigned function, cutting. According to the supplied function list, thermometer is assigned to measuring temperature. Select that function rather than one belonging to another instrument.

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