How to Solve Verbal Analogy Problems of Reasoning ?

Note : This post is the Lesson 2 of our Verbal Analogies Shortcuts series. It is advisable to read the Introductory Lesson 1 of Verbal Analogies  before reading this post.

Friends, in our last post we have discussed the basics of Verbal Analogies and today we shall discuss the strategy you should follow to solve verbal analogy questions. Verbal analogies demand that you, first of all, identify the relationship between tow words (the head pair) and find another pair of words that parallel as closely as possible that same relationship.

Which Strategy Should I follow to solve Verbal Analogy Problems ?

1. The first step in analysing original analogous pair of words (the head pair) is to describe the connection between the words of the pair. The best way to do this is to formulate a sentence  that express the connection between the words. Since the purpose of this sentence is to analyse or diagnose the nature of the connection between the words. Since the purpose of this sentence is to analyze or diagnose the nature of the connection between the words of the head pair, we may call it Diagnostic Sentence or DXS for short. 
2. After formulating the DXS, test each answer choice to find the pair of words that best fit the sentence.  

Confused? Have a look at an example.....

ECSTASY : PLEASURE ::

1. hatred : affection
2. condemnation : approval
3. rage : anger
4. difficult : understanding
5. privacy : invasion

Now, the first step is to formulate a DXS. ECSTASY means "great or overwhelming PLEASURE," so the DXS might be "ECSTASY is extreme PLEASURE"

The second step is to test each of the answer choices with the DXS.

....................is extreme....................

1. Hatred is extreme affection
2. Condemnation is extreme approval
3. Rage  is extreme anger
4. Difficulty is extreme understanding
5. Privacy  is extreme invasion

Here, option 3 is the best answer. Because for only Option 3, the pair of words correctly fit the DXS.

Now lets have a look at another example.

ACCIDENTAL : INTENTION ::

1. Voluntary : Requirement
2. Anticipated : Performance
3. Interesting : Feeling
4. Practical : Knowledge
5. Insane : Connection

DXS : Somethign that is ACCIDENTAL is done without INTENTION. 

Now, test each of the answer choices with the diagnostic sentence. 

Something that is ............ is done without .........................

1. Something that is  voluntary is done without requirement
2. Something that is anticipated  is done withoutperformance
3. Something that is  interesting is done without feeling
4. Something that is practical  is done without knowledge
5. Something that is  insane is done without connection

here option 1 is the answer, and it is the only logical substitution that makes scene in this DXS.

Thats all for now friends. In our next lesson we shall discuss some common Analogous Relationships. All the best and Happy Reading :)

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