Word Analogies

In this lesson, you will learn how to solve word analogy questions. These are one of the most common question types in the GL 11+ Verbal Reasoning exam. They test your ability to spot relationships between words.

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What Is a Word Analogy?

A word analogy is a question where you are given a pair of words that are linked in a particular way, and you must find another pair of words with the same type of link.

It follows this pattern:

A is to B as C is to D

For example:

Hot is to cold as light is to dark

The link here is antonyms (opposites).

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Types of Word Relationships

There are many different ways that words can be related. Here are the most common types you will see in the exam:

1. Synonyms (same meaning)

Big is to large as small is to tiny

2. Antonyms (opposite meaning)

Up is to down as left is to right

3. Part to whole

Page is to book as brick is to wall

A page is part of a book. A brick is part of a wall.

4. Whole to part

Tree is to branch as hand is to finger

5. Category and member

Dog is to animal as rose is to flower

A dog is a type of animal. A rose is a type of flower.

6. Object and its function

Pen is to write as scissors is to cut

You use a pen to write. You use scissors to cut.

7. Object and material

Jumper is to wool as window is to glass

8. Worker and workplace

Teacher is to school as doctor is to hospital

9. Baby and adult animal

Kitten is to cat as puppy is to dog

10. Degree (intensity)

Warm is to hot as cool is to cold

Warm is a mild version of hot. Cool is a mild version of cold.

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Worked Example 1

Question: Complete the analogy.

Knife is to cut as needle is to (____)

A) thread B) sew C) sharp D) metal

Step-by-step:

1. Identify the relationship: A knife is used to cut. This is an object-and-function relationship.
2. Apply the same relationship: A needle is used to... sew.
3. Check the other options:
   • thread — this is what goes through a needle, not what a needle does.
   • sharp — this describes a needle, but it is not a function.
   • metal — this is what a needle is made of.
4. Answer: B) sew

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Worked Example 2

Question: Complete the analogy.

Cub is to bear as lamb is to (____)

A) wool B) farm C) sheep D) field

Step-by-step:

1. Identify the relationship: A cub is the baby of a bear. This is a young-to-adult relationship.
2. Apply the same relationship: A lamb is the baby of a... sheep.
3. Answer: C) sheep

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Worked Example 3

Question: Complete the analogy.

Petal is to flower as key is to (____)

A) lock B) piano C) door D) metal

Step-by-step:

1. Identify the relationship: A petal is part of a flower. This is part-to-whole.
2. Apply the same relationship: A key is part of a... piano (a piano has keys).
3. Wait — could it be lock? A key goes into a lock, but a key is not part of a lock. A key is part of a piano keyboard.
4. Answer: B) piano