Analogy
Analogy is one of the most common topics of the Reasoning and Mental Ability paper of ADRE Grade IV. In an analogy question two items are placed side by side and a relationship is shown between them, and the candidate has to find a fourth item that bears the same relationship to a third. The question is written in the form A : B :: C : ? and the answer must follow exactly the same logic that joins A to B. Analogy tests the power of observation, general awareness, vocabulary and number sense all at the same time, which is why it appears in almost every competitive examination. The relationships used are usually simple, but the candidate must be able to spot the rule quickly and apply it without hesitation.
Meaning and Form of an Analogy Question
An analogy expresses a comparison between two pairs of items. The symbols are read as "A is to B as C is to D". The first pair A : B is called the model pair and it establishes the rule; the second pair C : ? is incomplete and must be completed. The answer is the option that makes the second pair follow the same relationship as the first. For example, in "Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ?", the relationship is that a doctor works in a hospital, so a teacher works in a school, and school is the answer. The rule must be applied in the same direction and with the same force in both pairs.
Main Types of Analogy
Analogy questions are generally of four kinds. Word analogy deals with the meaning, function or category of words. Number analogy deals with arithmetic operations between numbers such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, squares, cubes and averages. Letter analogy deals with the position of letters in the alphabet, their order and the number of letters between them. General knowledge analogy combines reasoning with facts from history, geography, science and civics. A single paper usually contains a mixture of all four types.
Common Relationships Asked
- Worker and workplace — Doctor : Hospital, Teacher : School.
- Tool and user — Pen : Writer, Scalpel : Surgeon.
- Whole and part — Tree : Branch, Book : Page.
- Cause and effect — Rain : Flood, Fire : Ash.
- Opposite — Hot : Cold, Victory : Defeat.
- Synonym — Begin : Start, Brave : Courageous.
- Product and raw material — Omelette : Egg, Paper : Wood.
- Young one and animal — Cow : Calf, Dog : Puppy.
- Number relationship — 4 : 16, 3 : 9 (square of the first).
- Letter position — A : C, B : D (one letter skipped).
How to Solve an Analogy Question
- Read the model pair carefully and state the relationship in words.
- Apply the same words to the third item and predict the answer.
- Check every option against the predicted answer.
- If two options seem right, look for a more exact or more specific relationship.
- For number and letter analogies, test simple operations before complex ones.
Worked Examples
In "Pen : Write :: Knife : ?", the relationship is that a pen is used to write, so a knife is used to cut, and the answer is "Cut". In "2 : 8 :: 3 : ?", the rule is that the second number is the cube of the first, since 2 × 2 × 2 = 8, so the answer is 27 because 3 × 3 × 3 = 27. In "AZ : BY :: CX : ?", A and Z are the first and the last letters, B and Y the second and the second-last, so after C and X the next pair is D and W.
How This Topic Appears in the Examination
Analogy is normally tested through five to ten objective questions carrying one mark each. The questions are short and can be solved in less than a minute each once the rule is seen. Most questions are word analogies of an easy level, with a few number and letter analogies. Because the same set of four options is given, the elimination method works very well. Candidates who practise a large number of examples develop the habit of spotting the relationship almost instantly, which saves valuable time for the longer arithmetic questions.
Memory Tips
Before looking at the options, always say the relationship aloud in your mind in a full sentence. Group the relationships into families such as worker-place, tool-user, part-whole and opposite, so that you can recognise them quickly. In number analogy, check square, cube and average before trying anything complicated. In letter analogy, write the alphabet on rough paper and number the letters, so that gaps and positions become visible. When two options fit, prefer the one that is more specific to the given pair.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying the relationship in the reverse direction.
- Choosing the first option that seems related without checking the others.
- Confusing an analogy with a simple general knowledge question.
- Forgetting to check number analogies for square or cube patterns.
- Overlooking the number of letters between two letters in a letter analogy.
How to Prepare This Topic
- Learn the common relationship families by heart.
- Practise at least twenty analogy questions every day.
- Maintain a notebook of new relationships that you meet.
- Revise the alphabet and the squares and cubes of numbers up to twenty.
- Time yourself so that each question takes less than a minute.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an analogy question ask?
It asks you to find the missing fourth item that keeps the same relationship between the second pair as exists between the first pair, for example Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : School.
How many types of analogy are there?
There are four main types: word analogy, number analogy, letter analogy and general knowledge analogy. Most papers mix all four.
How do I solve a number analogy quickly?
First test simple operations, then squares, cubes and averages. For example in 4 : 16 the rule is the square, and in 2 : 8 the rule is the cube.
What is the best method when two options seem correct?
Choose the option that follows the most specific relationship of the model pair, because the more exact rule always matches the intended answer.
How much time should each analogy question take?
An easy analogy should take less than a minute. Regular practice helps you recognise the common relationships almost instantly.