Verbal Analogy Shortcuts - Introduction

Friends, generally an analogy is a parallel that is drawn between two different, but adequately similar events, situations of circumstances. In Verbal Analogy questions they will ask you to determine the relationship between a pair of words and then recognize a similar or parallel relationship in a different pair of words. You are given a pair of words and must choose from the four pairs given as answer choices another pair exhibiting the same relationship. Therefore a test on  analogy is a test of one's language / vocabulary and also a test of one's ability to reason out relationships.

There are basically a few common types of analogy questions. An effort has been made to gather as many types as possible. Howewer, there is always a possibility of having more types.

That is why "Analogy" is a test to assess the psycho-linguistic abilities of the candidates appearing fro a particular competitive examination.

Generally, in examinations, the directions for the questions on analogy may appear as follows :

Directions :

In Each of the following questions, a related pair of words or phrases is followed by lettered pairs of words or phrases. Select the lettered pair that best expresses a relationship similar to that expressed in the original pair.

Example :

1. BEE : HIVE ::

1. horse : carriage
2. rider : bicycle
3. sheep : flock
4. cow : barn

2. BEE : APARY ::

1. horse : carriage
2. rider : bicycle
3. sheep : flock
4. cow : barn

see here, the answer in both cases is 'D'

in question 1, a HIVE is the home for BEES, just as a barn is a home for cows. Similarly, an APIARY (also known as bee yard) is used to house bees, just as barn is used to house cows..

Have a look at following test exercise. just to know if you could identify an analogy item. Check how many of the below are possible pairs for analogies (i.e., there exists some relationship between the words)

1. OAR                 : BOAT
2. KNIFE              : TRUCK
3. HORSE             : TREE
4. SYRUP              : APPLE
5. SCRIBBLE        : WRITE
6. UNICORN         :  CATASTROPHE
7. PASTEL              :  COLOR
8. RESTIVE            :  AGREEMENT
9. MELT                  :  LIQUID
10. SYMPHONY     :   MUSIC

Now, analyse your mistakes and know why you went wrong... You might have gone wrong basically for two reasons :

1. Lexical Problem 
2. Logical Relationship Problem

If you have a Lexical problem (a Lexicon is nothing but a Dictionary), you have to imporve your vocabulary. If your problem is a logical relationship problem, then you must follow a good strategy to answer the 'analogy questions' (no need to be worried.. it will come with a little practice).