Logical Reasoning: Tips for Solving Analogy Problems in Competitive Exams

Logical Reasoning : Analogy Part

Analogy means similarity or bearing a resemblance. The question based on analogy, you are given a pair of words, letters or numbers having certain relationship. From the alternatives provided, you have to select the choice that best matches the relationship existing the between the first two word, letters or numbers. The given pair of words, letters or numbers is set off by a colon or ratio sign (:) signifying that word X is related to word Y. The double colon (: :) that separates the given pair stands for " in the same way".

     There are many ways of establishing a relationship. So, far as relationship among letters are concerned, facts stated in coding and decoding chapter is applied by and large. But word relationship can be established in following ways are cause and effect, part to whole, synonym, antonym, degree of intensity, type and characteristic, producer and product, worker and tool and class and species etc.,

In dealing with analogy questions, the following rules should be observed:

• ( i ) Analyse the relationship between the question pair i.e., the pair before double colon ( : : ).
• ( ii ) Look for the pair of words among the answer choices with a similar relationship.
• ( iii ) If more than one answer choice seems to fit, re-examine the relation in the question pair.
• ( iv ) Eliminate answer that do not appear to be the best.
• ( v ) Parts of speech must be the same in the related words.

Sample Problems:

1) Lion : Cub : : ? : ?

1. Dog : Aviary
2. Snake : Stable
3. Cat : Dog
4. Sheep : Lamb

Solution:- The young one of Lion is called Cub that means the relationship of Animal and young one. The same relationship follows in option (D) i.e., Lamb is the young one of Sheep.

Ans: - Choice (D) Sheep : Lamp

2) Angle : Radian : : ? : ?

1. Cattle : Herd
2. Odometer : Speed
3. Dearth : Scarcity
4. Area : Hectares

Solution: - As, we know Angle is a quantity and is measured in Radians, so it is quantity-unit relationship. Similarly, Area is measured in Hectares.

Ans:- Choice (D) Area : Hectares

3) Ostrich : Bird : ? : ?

1. Mammal : Panther
2. Bleat : Lambs
3. Pomfret : Fish
4. Lion Cub

Soution:- Ostrich is a group member of Birds. That means, here is a group-member relationship. Similarly, Pomfert is a group member of Fishes.

Ans:- Choice (C) Pomfert : Fish

4) MF : NG : : LK : ?

1. ML
2. NL
3. LM
4. KL

Solution:-  M F → N G

                  M + 1= N

                  F + 1 = G  Similarly L K → M L

Ans:- Choice ( A) ML