Types of Analogies

The only kind of relationship between words in analogies is a clear and necessary one. In analogy MCQs, the relationship b/w the words is more essential than the meanings of words themselves. The most common analogy relationships are given as under;

        I. Synonyms: words that have similar meanings. 

      II. Antonyms: Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings.

    III. Member and Class: Member and class analogies are very common problems, which may occur in the first third of an analogy section. In this type of analogy, the 1^st word may be an element of the class that the 2^nd word describes, or vice versa. This category can also be classified as type of.

   IV. Degree of Intensity: In a degree-of-intensity analogy, the two words express a similar concept, but one word is stronger, harsher, or more intense than the other. The degree of intensity in the answer-pair must be the same as in the original pair. People consider these problems to be hard. However, once you get used to them, they can become routine. 

     V.  Definition: In a definitional analogy one of the words can be used to define the other. This is probably the most common type of analogy problem. 

   VI. Lack of: In this type of analogy one word describes the absence of the other word. This sub-category of the definition type of analogy is important and common enough to warrant a name. Example: DISHEARTENED : HOPE 

 VII. Part and Whole: In this type of analogy, the first word is part of the second word. The order can also be whole to part. 

VIII. Manner: This type of analogy describes the manner, way, or style by which an action is accomplished. Example: PRATTLE : SPEAK 

   IX. Function: This type of analogy describes the purpose or function of something. Example: MNEMONIC : MEMORY 

     X. Action and Significance: In this type of analogy one word describes an action and the other word indicates the significance of the action. Example: CURTSY: REVERENCE

   XI. Pertaining to: In this type of analogy, one word refers to the category or class the other word belongs to. Example: DIDACTIC : TEACH 

 XII. Symbol and Representation: In this type of analogy, one word stands for or represents a concept, action, or thing. An example will illustrate. Example: CARET : INSERT

XIII. Agent and Action: In this type of analogy, one word is the agent to do the action. Example: BRAIN : THINKING

 XIV.  Component and Product: In this type of analogy, one word is the component of the other. Example: BUTTER : CAKE 

XV.  Cause and effect: In this type of analogy, one word stands for the reason and the other for the result. Example: DRUG : CURE