Verbal Analogies questions with answers and concepts
Learn verbal analogies with concept notes and worked examples, then practise focused questions with explained answers. Build accuracy for placement and competitive aptitude tests before trying timed mode.
Verbal analogies test your ability to identify relationships between words and apply those relationships to new pairs. Understanding common relationship types—such as synonymy, antonymy, cause and effect, and part-whole—is essential for solving analogy questions efficiently in competitive exams.
Key concepts
Common Relationship Types
Word analogies typically follow specific relationship patterns: (1) Synonym relationships where words share similar meanings (e.g., HAPPY : JOYFUL). (2) Antonym relationships where words have opposite meanings (e.g., HOT : COLD). (3) Cause and effect where one word produces the other (e.g., FIRE : BURN). (4) Part to whole where one is a component of the other (e.g., WHEEL : CAR). (5) Degree of intensity showing variations in strength (e.g., WARM : HOT). (6) Tool and action where an object is used for a specific purpose (e.g., PEN : WRITE). (7) Worker and workplace showing where someone works (e.g., DOCTOR : HOSPITAL).
Functional Relationships
Functional analogies describe what something does or how it's used. Examples include: SCALES : WEIGH (instrument and its function), KNIFE : CUT (tool and action), COMPUTER : CALCULATE (machine and purpose), SPOON : EAT (utensil and activity). To solve these, identify the core function of the first word and find the option where the second word performs that same function for its pair.
Characteristic Relationships
These analogies describe inherent qualities or associations. Examples: BEE : HONEY (creature and what it produces), SNAKE : VENOM (animal and its characteristic substance), ROSE : FRAGRANCE (thing and its distinctive quality), SUN : HEAT (source and what it emits). The key is identifying what characteristic, product, or quality is uniquely associated with the first term.
Sequential and Hierarchical Relationships
Some analogies show order or ranking: PRIMARY : SECONDARY (stages in sequence), STUDENT : TEACHER (hierarchical relationship in education), SEEDLING : TREE (growth stages), ACUTE : CHRONIC (disease progression). For these, understand whether the relationship shows temporal progression, authority levels, or developmental stages.
Association by Action or Process
These show verbs or processes and their typical contexts: SOW : CROP (action and its result), COMPILE : BOOK (process and product), CURE : DISEASE (action and target), TEACH : STUDENT (action and recipient). The relationship centers on who performs what action and what or who is affected by it.
Classification Relationships
These show category memberships: DOG : MAMMAL (specific to general), FICTION : NOVEL (general to specific), GOLD : METAL (member to class), DAISY : FLOWER (instance to category). Recognize whether the first word is a specific example of the second, or vice versa.
Worked examples
Example 1
METER : LENGTH :: SCALE : ?
Solution
Step 1: Analyze the given pair. A METER is an instrument used to measure LENGTH.
Step 2: Apply the same relationship to SCALE. A SCALE is an instrument used to measure WEIGHT.
Step 3: Therefore, the answer is WEIGHT. The relationship is 'instrument : what it measures'.
Example 2
DOCTOR : PATIENT :: TEACHER : ?
Solution
Step 1: Identify the relationship. A DOCTOR provides treatment/care to a PATIENT.
Step 2: Apply this service relationship to TEACHER. A TEACHER provides education to STUDENTS.
Step 3: The relationship is 'professional : recipient of service'. Answer: STUDENT.
Example 3
SNAKE : REPTILE :: WHALE : ?
Solution
Step 1: Determine the classification. A SNAKE belongs to the class REPTILE.
Step 2: Apply classification logic to WHALE. A WHALE is a marine mammal, belonging to the class MAMMAL.
Step 3: The relationship is 'creature : its biological class'. Answer: MAMMAL.
Example 4
DEAF : HEAR :: BLIND : ?
Solution
Step 1: Identify the deficiency relationship. DEAF means inability to HEAR.
Step 2: Apply the same deficiency pattern. BLIND means inability to SEE.
Step 3: The relationship is 'condition : sense that is lost'. Answer: SEE.
Representative solved questions
See the kind of question in this topic before opening the full practice set.
Question 1
Oar : Row :: Pedal : ?
Answer: B. Cycle
ExplanationAn oar rows a boat; a pedal cycles a bicycle.
Sources and review notes
This is an AISEA-authored practice question.
Review status: accepted · Reviewed 2026-08-13 · structure and answer-key checks, editorial quality checks, duplicate screening
Question 2
Chisel : Carve :: Brush : ?
Answer: D. Paint
ExplanationA chisel carves; a brush paints.
Sources and review notes
This is an AISEA-authored practice question.
Review status: accepted · Reviewed 2026-08-13 · structure and answer-key checks, editorial quality checks, duplicate screening
Question 3
Lever : Lift :: Pulley : ?
Answer: C. Hoist
ExplanationA lever lifts; a pulley hoists.
Sources and review notes
This is an AISEA-authored practice question.
Review status: accepted · Reviewed 2026-08-13 · structure and answer-key checks, editorial quality checks, duplicate screening
Common mistakes and useful habits
- Always state the relationship clearly in your mind before looking at the answer choices—this prevents being misled by distractors.
- Eliminate answer choices where the words don't share the same part of speech as the original pair (e.g., if the given pair is noun:noun, avoid verb answers).
- Watch for secondary meanings of words; many analogy questions test vocabulary depth using less common definitions.
- If stuck between two options, test each by forming a sentence: 'A is used to/for/by/with B' and see which maintains the same pattern.
- Be cautious of directionality—ensure the relationship order matches (e.g., part:whole vs whole:part are different).
- Practice identifying relationships quickly; most exams allow 30-45 seconds per analogy question.
Ready to test your understanding?
Work through 135 questions with explanations after each answer.