Complete guideline to solve analogy for bank and other exam

What is an analogy?

An analogy is a comparison of two pairs of words to find out the relationship between them. A bridge explains how the two words of a pair logically fit in together – the first important step to solve an analogy.

If A stands for Trees and B for Forest, can you form a bridge between these two words.

Yes, we can say trees are present in a forest. But can you form a bridge expressing more subtle relationship between the words?

Think!!

I think you guess it right. The bridge might be “Forest is a collection of trees.”

Now look at this:

Trees:Forest::Ship::?

Try to fill in the missing word in the above analogy. As Forest is a collection of trees, ? is a collection of ship.

Collection of ship is fleet. So Fleet is the right word for the blank.

Trees:Forest :: Ship:Fleet

These two form an analogy pair as they have the same relationship.

STEP 1  Identify the relationship between the given pair of words.

LURK:WAIT

A) prattle:talk

B) abscond:depart

C) brisk:walk

D) skimp:read

E) eloquence:speak

Let’s try to form a bridge between the given pair of words.To lurk is to wait secretly. Now  in the sentence, lets replace

the given words with the words from the answer choices.

Choice A: Is it correct to say:

prattle is to talk secretly? No

Choice B: To abscond is to depart

secretly..Yes this can be the answer.

Choice C: To brisk is to walk secretly? No

Choice D: To skimp is to read secretly? No

Choice E: To eloquence is to speak secretly? No

Hence answer is B.

STEP II:  The sentence forming the relationship should be neither too general nor too vague. Look for a deeper relationship if the relationship formed does not fit into any of the given choices or fits into more than one choice

BAT: CRICKET

A) board:chess

B) ball:soccer

C) team:basketball

D) racket:badminton

E) racket:tennis

The bat is used to play cricket.If we use this bridge, it eliminates only the choice C. Let’s look for a more subtle relationship between the given pair of words. The bridge is: A bat is used to strike a ball in cricket. Also a racket is used to strike a ball in tennis. So E is the correct choice.

STEP III Check for the parts of speech of the given words. It may help you in arriving at the right answer for e.g if the given pair is noun:verb the answer will also be noun:verb pair. The part of speech of both the given pair and the answer will always be the same.

STEP IV  Look for eye-catchers. This is the GRE test maker’s common ploy. The answer choice will have words that fall into the same category as that of the given pair but have different relationship. So be careful of selecting that choice just because the words in it are identical to the given pair. Remember you are looking for an answer choice having same relationship as that of the given pair, not the identical words.

LAVISH:PARSIMONIOUS

A)  mendicant:poor

B)  spendthrift:puerile

C)  affluent:mansion

D)  eternal:ephemeral

E)  laud:exemplary

Here lavish (meaning spending in excess) and parsimonious (meaning economical) are antonyms. The choice B is an eye catcher as lavish reminds us of spendthrift (meaning spending lavishly). However spendthrift and puerile (meaning childish) are not antonyms. The words eternal (meaning everlasting) and ephemeral (meaning short-lived) form an antonym pair. Hence D is the answer

STEP V The order of the pair of words is important. The answer choices should form the same relationship as that of given pair in the same order. Their order can’t be changed.

How to  Solve Analogies

Solving analogies is a terrific way to sharpen your thinking skills and prepare for standardized tests.

An analogy is a type of word problem that consists of two word pairs. To solve the analogy you must find a word that correctly completes the second pair. At first glance, the words in an analogy may seem to have nothing to do with each other, but the words are always logically related. The first pair of words has a relationship similar to the second pair of words. To solve the analogy, you need to figure out that relationship.

Example:

    GRACEFUL : CLUMSY :: HOT : _______

Read the analogy like this: Graceful is to clumsy as hot is to ‘blank.’

Then ask yourself: What's the relationship between graceful and clumsy? These words have opposite meanings – they are antonyms – so the second pair of words must also be antonyms.

Fill in the blank with a word that means the opposite of hot, and you’ve solved the analogy. The best answer is COLD.

Common Analogy Types

The word pairs in an analogy often have one of the following relationships:

Antonyms: Words that have opposite meanings, as in HOT : COLD

List Of Analogy

GARBLED-COMPREHEND==obscured-recognize

HEAT-CALORIMETER==distance-odometer

ALLY-WAR==teammate-game

EAVESDROP-CONVERSATION==trespass-property

PALPABLE-TOUCH==pliable-mold

SUBMERGE-WATER==inter-earth

RUTHLESS-MERCY==insipid-flavor

MINION-DEPENDENT==groveler-petitioner

PANEGYRIC-PRAISE==valediction-farewell

SNAKE-LEG==horse-wings

BOX-FIGHT==debate-argue

ITINERARY-TRIP==syllabus-course

FREQUENCY-PITCH==wavelength-color

RATIOCINATION-THINKING==articulation-talking

NARCISSISM-LOVE==guilt-blame

PLACEBO-PAINKILLER==backdrop-vista

CAMOUFLAGE-DECEPTION==flattery-ingratiating

ADULTERATE-PURITY==enervate-vigor

SKETCH-PAINTING==outline-essay

GEAR-TOOTH==screw-thread

EXECUTOR-WILL==soldier-order

PRODIGALITY-SPENDING==gluttony-eating

BASTE-DRYNESS==caulk-moistness

DROSS-METAL==chaff-grain

GUST-WIND==flare-light

DUCTILITY-MALLEABLE==toxicity-poisonous

RAIL-VEHEMENCE==entreat-urgency

SCYTHE-REAPER==axe-woodcutter

DISCOMBOBULATED-ORDER==erratic-consistency

FERVOR-ZEALOT==doubt-skeptic

COLTISH-DISCIPLINE==loutish-grace

AWL-PIERCE==pestle-mash

COMPLIMENT-FLATTERY==deference-subservience

TAXONOMIST-CLASSIFY==carpenter-build

UPBRAID-DISAPPROVAL==lament-grief

ANATHEMA-CURSE==theocracy-state

GLUE-SEAL==manure-fertilize

FICKLE-CONSTANCY==naive-sophistication

BOW-VIOLIN==stick-drum

INEXPERIENCE-NEOPHYTE==irresponsibility-wastrel

WOOD-SAWDUST==metal-filings

SOPHISM-REASONING==counterfeit-money

APOSTACY-FAITH==recantation-heresy

MOLECULE-ATOMS==tissue-cells

ARRHYTHMIC-REGULARITY==apathetic-concern

OBJECTIVITY-PARTISAN==temperance-reprobate

LIMP-WALK==stutter-talk

CONUNDRUM-SOLVE==tangle-unravel

AGENDA-MINUTES==itinerary-log

RAVISHING-ATTRACTIVE==perspicacious-discerning

NIL-QUANTITY==vacuum-matter

FULMINATE-CRITICIZE==adulate-flatter

EPILOGUE-NOVEL==coda-symphony

PIECE-JIGSAW PUZZLE==tile-mosaic

DIAMETER-CIRCLE==diagonal-rectangle

MANDATORY-COMPLY==forbidden-abstain

EXEMPLARY-CRITICIZED==erratic-predicted

CREDULITY-DUPE==discrimination-connoisseur

CALLIGRAPHY-SCRIBBLE==sonnet-doggerel

RECOMMEND-LAUD==sanction-foster

BALEFUL-MENACE==solicitous-concern

GALLEY-SHIP==kitchen-house

LETHARGIC-STIMULATE==skeptical-convince

SHRINE-PILGRIM==peak-climber

SPLINT-MOBILITY==lubricant-friction

RIG-CONTEST==gerrymander-district

CREEK-RIVER==pebble-rock

SEMINARY-THEOLOGIAN==conservatory-artist

RIVAL-COMPETITION==sycophant-flattery

COURAGEOUS-BRAVADO==complimentary-fulsomeness

ANESTHETIC-NUMBNESS==intoxicant-drunkenness

DRUMMER-MUSICIAN==tragedian-actor

ARCHIEVE-MANUSCRIPT==arsenal-weapon

RAMPART-INVASION==levee-flood

RETICENT-TALK==abstemious-gorge

MENTOR-GUIDACE==oracle-prophecy

LIGNEOUS-WOOD==osseous-bone

IRREVOCABLE-REPEAL==ineluctable-avoid

LITERATE-ERUDITE==agitated-frenetic

TUITION-INSTRUCTION==fare-transportation

ARBITRATOR-DISPUTANTS==judge-litigants

ARBORETUM-TREES==aviary-birds

WINNOW-WHEAT==refine-oil

IDYLL-CAREFREE==ordeal-difficult

RELAPSE-CONVALESCENCE==recidivism-rehabilitation

ANACHRONISM-CHRONOLOGY==fallacy-logic

DEFAULT-PAY==yield-resist

FIRM-INTRANSIGENT==concerned-obsessed

CATCH-FISH==harvest-grain

CURATORS-PAINTINGS==librarians-books

METEOROLOGY-WEATHER==pathology-disease

PUN-JOKE==termite-insect

PLAIN-AUSTERE==clean-sterile

ASTROLABE-NAUTICAL==colander-culinary

ALACRITY-APATHETIC==temerity-timid

FLOUT-DISREGARD==taunt-challenge

LIQUID-VALVE==electric current-switch

PRIMP-VAIN==gloat-smug

GOBBLE-EAT==guzzle-drink

SHIPSHAPE-DISARRAY==squalid-cleanliness

HOVER-PLUNGE==crouch-spring

SAGE-WISDOM==philanthropist-benevolence

ERODE-DIMINISH==accrete-enlarge

MANIA-ENTHUSIASM==doting-fondness

OBDURATE-BUDGE==lachrymose-cheer

CHOIR-SINGER==cast-actor

GLARING-BRIGHT==deafing-loud

MAVERICK-CONFORMITY==extrovert-reserve

SLITHER-SNAKE==waddle-duck

COUNTENANCE-TOLERATION==demur-objection

PROCTOR-SUPERVISE==prodigal-squander

REDOLENT-SMELL==piquant-taste

TORQUE-ROTATION==tension-elongation

SUBSIDY-SUPPORT==debt-obligation

WATER-SWIM==snow-ski

TILE-MOSAIC==stitch-sampler

SCHOOL-FISH==flock-birds

CASTIGATION-DISAPPROVE==blasphemy-irreverence

ACCELERATE-SPEED==prolong-duration

COMPLAIN-CARP==drink-guzzle

FILIGREE-WIRE==lace-thread

SKIRMISH-INSIGNIFICANCE==duel-formality

STUDY-LEARN==search-find

CORRAL-HORSE==coop-chickens

LULLABY-SONG==diatribe-discourse

DIE-SHAPING==drill-boring

MERCENARY-MONEY==vindictive-revenge

AUTHORITATIVENESS-PUNDITS==allegiance-partisans

STRUT-WING==buttress-wall

FAWN-IMPERVIOUSNESS==equivocate-directness

TROUBLED-DISTRAUGHT==covetous-rapacious

TABLECLOTH-TABLE==sheet-mattress

CANVAS-PAINTER==marble-sculptor

MANSION-RESIDENCE==limousine-automobile

DOOR-ROOM==hatch-hold

CHOREOGRAPHY-DANCE==plot-story

EVAPORATE-VAPOR==petrify-stone

ASSUAGE-SORROW==dampen-ardor

NUMB-INSENSIBLE==burnish-lustrous

AUDACIOUS-TREPIDATION==laconic-volubility

SCALPEL-SURGEON==telescope-astronomer

APPLE-FRUIT==wood-fabric

ENVELOPE-LETTER==crate-produce

PANEGYRIC-EULOGIZE==lampoon-satirize

OVERDOSE-PRESCRIPTION==indiscretion-convention

FRESCO-WALL==parquetry-floor

HAMMER-ANVIL==pestle-mortar

RELEVANT-CRUCIAL==perceptible-obvious

PERFUNCTORILY-INSPIRATION==insolently-veneration

ADULT-CHILD==cat-kitten

CLOT-DISSOLVED==crowd-dispersed

GLOSSARY-TEXT==legend-map

FERVOR-ZEALOT==improvidence-spend thrift

SHARD-POTTERY==fragment-bone

FERTILIZE-GROW==immunize-resist

ATTENTIVE-OFFICIOUS==refined-snobbish

EXORBITANT-MODERATION==perfidious-loyalty

BLANDISHMENT-COAX==medal-honor

APPLE-SKIN==melon-rind

FIRE-INFERNO==storm==hurricane

BODYGUARD-PERSON==soldier-country

LOPE-RUN==drawl-speak

HOAX-DECEIVE==filibuster-delay

ALCOVE-RECESS==dome-roof

BALLAST-INSTABILITY==purchase-slippage

MUFFLE-SOUND==assuage-grief

MITIGATE-SEVERE==qualify-general

BABBLE-TALK==scribble-write

SYLLABUS-COURSE==agenda-meeting

VARNISH-WOOD==wax-linoleum

PITCH-SOUND==color-light

DISCOMFITED-BLUSH==contemptuous-sneer

INVINCIBLE-SUBDUE==impervious-damaged

STRIATED-GROOVE==braided-strand

DOGGEREL-VERSE==burlesque-play

DROLL-LAUGH==grisly-flinch

WEB-SPIDER==net-bird

FOUR-POSTER-BED==convertible-automobile

BONE-BODY==girder-skyscraper

SCOOP-CONCAVE==spatula-flat

SYMBOLS-REBUS==note-score

GUSH-EFFUSIVE==rage-irate

PERORATION-SPEECH==coda-sonata

INTERREGNUM-GOVERNMENT==hibernation-activity

EMBROIDER-CLOTH==chase-metal

COMA-UNCONSCIOUSNESS==delirium-confusion

TOURNIQUET-BLOOD==dam-river

FOUNDATION-HOUSE==pedestal-statue

PHILATELIST-STAMPS==numismatist-coins

INSECT-BUTTERFLY==philosophy-metaphysics

PERNICIOUS-INJURE==disingenuous-mislead

FLAG-VIGOR==waver-resolution

EMBARRASS-MORTIFY==indulge-mollycoddle

DISTILL-PURITY==leaven-volume

SKELETON-ANIMAL==framing-building

OUTSKIRTS-TOWN==margin-page

AMORPHOUSNESS-DEFINITION==lassitude-energy

COLLUSION-CONSPIRATORS==cooperation-partners

DIVERT-SHUNT==retard-brake

EQUIVOCATE-COMMITMENT==procrastinate-action

ARMADA-VEHICLES==fusillade-projectiles

LACONIC-SPEECH==austere-design

GROW-BURGEON==beat-palpitate

GADGETS-TOOLS==trinkets-jewelry

LISTEN-RECORDING==view-photograph

CENSORSHIP-INFORMATION==sanitation-disease

DELUGE-DROPLET==landslide-pebble

SPEAK-RETICENT==spend-parsimonious

PATRIOTIC-CHAUVINISTIC==receptive-gullible

BOUQUET-FLOWERS==woodpile-logs

ENDEMIC-REGION==inborn-individual

PECCADILLO-SIN==admonishment-castigation

NURTURE-CHILD==cultivate-crop

SAW-CARPENTER==scissors-tailor

EPITAPH-TOMBSTONE==motto-shield

SIMPER-SMILE==babble-talk

EGG-CHICKEN==roe-salmon

GLIMMER-DAZZLE==murmur-resound

RESCIND-LAW==withdraw-candidacy

ENTANGLE-INVOLVE==grill-question

ALCHEMY-SCIENCE==nostrum-remedy

ANXIOUS-REASSURANCE==perplexed-clarification

STANZA-POEM==act-opera

COIN-DENOMINATION==officer-rank

EMBELLISH-AUSTERE==adulterate-pure

PORTFOLIO-SECURITIES==dossier-reports

EXHORT-SUGGEST==goad-direct

CLAY-PORCELAIN==flax-linen

SERMON-HOMILETICS==argument-logic

MATRIX-NUMBERS==crystal-atoms

REFLECTION-LIGHT==echo-sound

CARVE-TURKEY==slice-cake

GEM-TURQUOISE==flower-violet

PARQUET-WOOD==mosaic-glass

IMPLACABLE-APPEASE==indomitable-subdue

HOMOGENIZE-UNIFORM==putrefaction-rotten

SELFLESSNESS-ALTRUIST==expertise-connoisseur

AESTHETICS-BEAUTY==epistemology-knowledge

CORNUCOPIA-ABUNDANCE==mace-authority

OATH-PROMISE==contract-agreement

NEEDLE-KNIT-loom-weave

MAIL-MAILBOX==laundry-hamper

ASTRINGENT-PUCKER==spark-ignition

HEMORRHAGE-BLEEDING==vertigo-dizziness

INDULGE-ASCETIC==restrain-libertine

LURK-WAIT==abscond-depart

INTERESTED-AGOG==careful-meticulous

DOGMA-ICONOCLAST==convention-maverick

PEDIATRICS-CHILDREN==dermatology-skin

CREASE-FOLDING==hole-perforating

DAGGER-SCABBARD==pistol-holster

SUBPOENA-WITNESS==conscript-soldier

LUBRICATE-ABRASION==seal-leakage

ASTROLOGY-ASTRONOMY==alchemy-chemistry

MALAPROPISM-VERBAL==gaffe-social

PLUCK-QUIT==pride-grovel

PARENTHESIS-EXPLANATION==ellipsis-omission

CENSUS-POPULATION==inventory-merchandise

INEVITABLE-CHANCE==absolute-variability

DART-MISSILE==skiff-boat

DECIBEL-SOUND==lumen-light

STICKLER-APPROXIMATION==purist-adulteration

SYNONYMOUS-MEANING==interchangeable-function

INSIPID-INVENTION==prosaic-imagination

STREAM-EDDY==trend-anomaly

PIRATE-TAKE==forge-copy

DEPORT-NATION==expel-school

VESSEL-BLOOD==pipeline-gas

ITINERARY-TRIP==agenda-meeting

TACT-OFFENSIVE==money-poor

EPIDERMIS-MAMMAL==bark-conifer

ANOMALY-paradigmatic==blemish-flawless

LIONIZE-ADMIRE==vituperate-despise

TERSENESS-SUPERFLUOUS==spontaneity-studied

SUBMISSION-OBEISANCE==affection-embrace

CLIENTELE-CUSTOMERS==faculty-teachers

ARTICULATE-SPEECH==graceful-movement

COLOSSUS-FIGURINE==boulder-pebble

LEAF-OAK==needle-pine

LATENCY-RESPONSE==incubation-disease

RETRACT-STATEMENT==repeal-legislation

JUGGERNAUT-CRUSH==quisling-betray

FRUGAL-PENURIOUS==compliant-obsequious

DEPART-ABSCOND==store-secrete

SOLDIER-ARMY==element-compound

SLUR-SPEECH==smudge-writing

LOCOMOTIVE-FLATCAR==tugboat-barge

TRICKLE-GUSH==warm-sear

CHARADE-WORD==mime-story

EPAULET-SHOULDER==ring-finger

VERNACULAR-PLACE==jargon-profession

HEAT-CALORIES==liquid-gallons

MARTIAL-MILITARY==runic-mysterious

DERMATOLOGIST-SKIN==podiatrist-feet

UNDERSTUDY-STAR==deputy-sheriff

SUSPICIOUS-PARANOID==admiring-idolatrous

GREENHOUSE-PLANT==incubator-infant

ANACHRONISTIC-TIME==discordant-sound

RIVER-GORGE==wind-dune

STIPPLE-DOT==striate-band

GOURMAND-APPETITE==skinflint-thrift

ROYALTY-PAYMENT==subpoena-writ

DRAWBRIDGE-CASTLE==gangway-ship

INSULIN-PANCREAS==bile-liver

TALON-EAGLE==claw-panther

ARTICULATE-CLEARLY==shout-loudly

NUANCE-DISTINCTION==hint-suggestion

URBANE-GAUCHERIE==guileless-chicanery

VOTING-ROLLCALL==termination-cloture

DEMUR-QUALMS==waver-irresoluteness

MISER-THRIFT==chauvinist-patriotism

FORGERY-COUNTERFEIT==embezzlement-fraud

NICOTINE-TOBACCO==caffeine-coffee

CANDLE-WAX==tire-rubber

BIT-DRILL==blade-razor

MISJUDGE-ASSESS==misconstrue-interpret

COMPLIANT-SERVILE==trusting-gullible

NOMINAL-FIGUREHEAD==absolute-autocrat

ASTRINGENT-CONTRACTION==anesthetic-insensibility

PHILOSOPHER-COGITATE==iconoclast-attack

THERMOMETER-TEMPERATURE==compass-direction

FOOLPROOF-FAIL==airtight-leak

SUFFOCATE-OXYGEN==starve-nutrients

ORCHESTRA-MUSIC==troupe-drama

BIRD-SNARE==fish-seine

RESOLUTENESS-WILL==zeal-conviction

MILLER-GRAIN==tanner-hide

DIDACTIC-INSTRUCT==comic-amuse

GARRULOUS-TALKATIVE==cloying-sweet

TORNADO-AIR==whirlpool-water

SINGER-CHOIR==flower-bouquet

PIGMENT-COLOR==spice-flavor

LABYRINTH-TORTUOUS==ornament-decorative

PRATE-SPEAK==saunter-walk

PERTURB-SERENITY==reassure-doubt

FURTIVE-STEALTH==whimsical-caprice

TENDER-ACCEPTANCE==exhibit-inspection

PLUTOCRACY-WEALTH==geroncracy-age

HAMMER-CARPENTER==knife-butcher