XAT 2014: 30 minutes to practice Analogy

The three questions on Analogy that appear in XAT form one tenth part of Verbal Ability section. Moreover, an aspirant is only required to understand the similar or dissimilar relationship among the words and sentences to crack these questions and get full marks in analogy. Learn the concept and key tips to solve them from Prof. S.K. Agarwal, an expert in Verbal Ability.

Key is to understand the relationship
Less cramming of head but more logical understanding is required to solve analogy questions. In simple language analogy may be defined as the relationship of likeness or similarity between two objects, concepts, statements that are otherwise not similar. It is a comparison made to show such a similarity e.g. to draw an analogy between a brick and building. They are the common types of questions. However, while proceeding to solve the questions based on analogy, please be very close and precise in identifying the said relationship.

Analogy questions have a logical relationship between a pair of words, sentences, concepts etc. Now you are required to pick out the most appropriate set out of the given options that define the same relationship as given in the question. It tests your logical skills as well as the vocabulary.

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Expected type of question
We may have following types of analogy questions
Opposites Opposite meaning words are used to establish analogy between them like Water: fire, Laughing: crying, Sky: Earth, Bravery: timidity etc.

Verb in Tenses It is a simple analogy. Verbs in different tense forms are used and can well be recognized e.g. turn and turned, sleep and slept etc.

Classification analogies - Objects can be classified to a group of objects or to different groups. Flash and lightening, Flash and body, knife in kitchen to cut the vegetables, Knife as weapon to create violence.

Related objects - This type of question is related to the analogy words related to one another e.g. driver and car, doctor and patient, writer and book.

Group analogies objects when taken together form particular group and so are called group analogies soldier-army, tree-fores

Cause and effect This analogy explains the natural effect of certain action i.e. cause fight and hurt, fire and burn. Result is spontaneous to the cause.

Efforts to result When you put efforts for something, you hope to achieve the result e.g. read and newspaper, write and book, paint and painting.

Problem and solution solutions are given with the problems and they are obvious e.g. dirty-cleaning, tired-rest etc.

Rhyming words Words which rhyme in one or other way are used to establish analogy e.g. knight and right, rough and tough, girls and guys etc.

Analogy related to function The words are related on the basis of function they do e.g. Cap: Head::gloves: hands

There are hundreds of analogy types. The relationship is to be understood and identified. Analogy can be based on manner, characteristic, work, action, time, gender, age etc. any combination to establish similarity out of the dissimilarity can be formed.

How to prepare and attempt the Analogy

Improve the vocabulary to understand the meaning of the words.

Identify the exact relationship between the words/sentences. Check the pattern used.

Form small and precise sentences to identify this relationship

You may find very close answer choices so be on your guard before opting for an answer.


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