1.3 Synonyms/antonyms
Another common relationship occurring among the word pairs is synonyms/antonyms. The questions can be in two ways:
1) The word pair in the given question will be synonyms/antonyms, and you must select the appropriate option (pair of words) which are also synonyms/antonyms from the options. In such cases, the words themselves are usually difficult to test your vocabulary.
2) The word pairs in the given question are unrelated, and you must find a pair from the options, which will also be unrelated to each other but corresponding to the words in the question.
Example 7
Select the option that expresses a relationship most similar to that expressed in the capitalised pair.
NUANCE : GRADATION ::
(1) Acrimony : rancour
(2) Antipathy : affinity
(3) Repatriate : emigrate
(4) Erudite : polyglot
Solution
Nuance and gradation are synonyms, meaning fine distinction or degree. Therefore, we must look for synonymous word pairs from the options.
Acrimony and rancour are also synonymous, both meaning bitterness or resentfulness.
Antipathy means aversion, hostility, whereas affinity is the opposite, meaning liking or sympathy.
To repatriate means to send someone back to their country or returning back to one's own country. To emigrate is the opposite, to leave one's home country.
Erudite (meaning learned, scholarly) and polyglot (meaning knowing or using several languages) are similar in meaning, but not synonymous.
Polymath (meaning a person of wide knowledge or learning) would have been synonymous with erudite.
Therefore, we can eliminate the other options and select option (1) as the correct choice.
Answer: (1) Acrimony : rancour
1.4 Function/Action
You could be given word pairs where there is a functional relationship.
For instance,
Pen : write (
a pen is used to write OR the pen's function is to write)
Pen : paper (
a pen is used to write on paper)
Pen : ink (
a pen needs ink to write)
Paper : write (
a pen is used to write on paper)
Example 8
Select the option that expresses a relationship most similar to that expressed in the capitalised pair.
MECHANIC : AUTOMOBILE ::
(1) Hepatologist : kidney
(2) Nephrologist : liver
(3) Ophthalmologist : eye
(4) Epidemiologist : skin
Solution
A mechanic works on an automobile (car). Therefore, we need to find a similar functional connection.
An ophthalmologist is an eye doctor, and therefore, this has the same relationship.
A hepatologist is a liver expert, whereas a nephrologist is a kidney expert. As these two pairs are swapped, options (1) and (2) can be eliminated.
An epidemiologist is a scientist who studies diseases within populations of people. A dermatologist is a skin doctor. Therefore, option (4) can also be eliminated.
Thus, option (3) is the correct choice.
Answer: (3) Ophthalmologist : eye
Example 9
Select the option that expresses a relationship most similar to that expressed in the capitalised pair.
ARCANE : CLARIFY ::
(1) Clandestine : covert
(2) Equanimity: ruffle
(3) Spice : insipid
(4) Crime : indict
Solution
The word arcane means mysterious, secret or known to only a few. To clarify something means to explain or make it known to all. We should look for a similar functional pair. Of words.
Similarly, equanimity means calm or composure. To ruffle someone's composure is to irritate or upset it. This has a similar relationship, where the second word is disrupting the first one.
Clandestine and covert are synonymous, both meaning secret. This is not the same relationship, and hence, option (1) can be eliminated.
Insipid means lacking flavour, and adding spice would add flavour – however, as you can see, the order is reversed. Hence, option (3) can be eliminated.
To indict someone means to charge them for a crime, however, this does not prevent or cancel out the crime in any way – indictment is just an effect of committing a crime. Thus, option (4) can be eliminated.
Answer: (2) Equanimity: ruffle
1.4.1 Medical specialisations
| Specialisation |
Specialty |
| Anaesthesiologist |
Administers anaesthesia (pain numbing medicines), usually during operations and monitor the patient's vital signs while under anaesthesia |
| Cardiologist |
Heart specialist |
| Dermatologist |
Skin specialist |
| ENT |
Ear, nose and throat specialist |
| Endocrinologist |
Specialist in glands and hormones (e.g. thyroid gland) |
| Gastroenterologist |
Digestive organ specialist (stomach, pancreas, liver, gall bladder |
| Geriatric specialist |
Specialist of aged people |
| Gynaecologist |
Specialist in female issues, especially reproductive |
| Haematologists |
Specialist in blood and spleen |
| Hepatologist |
Specialist in liver, gallbladder and pancreas |
| Nephrologist |
Kidney specialist |
| Neurologist |
Specialist in the nervous system and the brain |
| Obstetrician |
Specialist in pregnancy and childbirth |
| Oncologist |
Cancer specialist |
| Ophthalmologist |
Eye specialist |
| Palliative Specialist |
Pain management |
| Pathologist |
Help in diagnosis of the disease based on laboratory tests |
| Paediatrician |
Child specialist |
| Podiatrist |
Feet and ankle specialist |
| Psychiatrist |
Specialist in mental and emotional issues |
| Pulmonologist |
Lung specialist |
| Radiologist |
Specialist in imaging techniques (X-ray, CT scan, MRI) |
1.5 Parallelism
This signifies that the two words are similar in some characteristic (function, membership, quality). Note that the words will not be synonyms. These questions are the most basic of analogies (e.g. humans err, whereas the divine forgives; a cheetah is vicious, a deer is fast, an owl is wise, etc.).
Example 10
Richter is to earthquakes as light-year is to
(1) Luminosity
(2) Speed
(3) Time
(4) Distance
Solution
The Richter scale is used to measure the intensity of earthquakes. A light year is the distance travelled or covered by light in a year's time. It is a measure of distance. Therefore, option (4) is the correct choice.
Answer: (4) Distance
Let us look at possible types of parallelism.
1.5.1 Part of a group/member of a class
Most animal and bird groups have a collective term. These can come up in Analogies questions, with a group being given in the question. You might also be asked to select the male, female or baby variant.
Please read through the following and try to memorise them.
Groups of animals:
| Ambush/streak of tigers |
Kaleidoscope/flutter of butterflies |
| Army of caterpillars |
Kennel of dogs (domesticated) |
| Army of frogs |
Knot of toads |
| Bale/nest of turtles |
Labour of moles |
| Band of gorillas |
Leap of leopards |
| Barrel/troop of monkeys |
Litter of pups |
| Bask of crocodiles |
Litter/kindle of kittens |
| Battery of barracudas |
Lounge of lizards |
| Bed of clams |
Memory/parade of elephants |
| Bevy/game/wedge of swans |
Mischief of mice |
| Bloat of hippopotamuses |
Mob/troop of kangaroos |
| Bunch of worms |
Murder of crows |
| Business of ferrets |
Muster of storks |
| Cackle/clan of hyenas |
Muster/ostentation of peacocks |
| Camp/cloud/colony of bats |
Mutation of thrush |
| Caravan of camels |
Pack of dogs, mules |
| Cast of falcons |
Pack/rout of wolves |
| Cete of badgers |
Pandemonium of parrots |
| Charm of hummingbirds |
Parliament of owls |
| Cloud of grasshoppers |
Pod/school/gam of whales |
| Clowder of cats |
Pod/squadron of pelicans |
| Colony of ants, rats |
Prickle of porcupines |
| Colony/gang/pack of weasels |
Pride of lions |
| Congregation of alligators |
Quiver of cobras |
| Conspiracy of lemurs |
Raft of otters, puffins |
| Convocation of eagles |
Rhumba of rattlesnakes |
| Covey of quails |
Run of salmon |
| Crash/stubbornness of rhinoceroses |
School of fish |
| Culture of bacteria |
Scold/band/party of jays |
| Den/nest of snakes |
Scourge/swarm of mosquitoes |
| Descent of woodpeckers |
Siege of herons |
| Destruction of wildcats |
Shadow of jaguars |
Groups of animals:
| Dray/scurry of squirrels |
Shiver of sharks |
| Drift/drove of piglets |
Shrewdness of apes |
| Drove of donkeys |
Skulk/leash of foxes |
| Exaltation of larks |
Sloth/sleuth of bears |
| Family of otters , sardines |
Smack of jellyfish |
| Fever of stingrays |
Sounder/team of pigs |
| Flock of birds |
Stand/flamboyance of flamingos |
| Gaggle/skein of geese |
Stench of skunks |
| Gang/herd of elk |
Swarm of flies |
| Gang/obstinacy of buffaloes |
Tower of giraffes |
| Gang/rafter of turkeys |
Unkindness of ravens |
| Gaze of raccoons |
Wake of vultures |
| Generation of vipers |
Walk/escargatoire of snails |
| Harem of seals |
Watch of nightingales |
| Herd of cattle , deer, rabbits |
Wisdom of wombats |
| Hover of trout |
Yoke/team of oxen |
| Implausibility of gnus |
Zeal/dazzle of zebras |
Example 11
Choose the option which represents a relationship similar to that in the question:
School : fish :: _____________ : _______________
(1) Pack : wolves
(2) Flock : owls
(3) Gaggle : lions
(4) Coterie : cats
Solution
A school of fish is the appropriate term for a group of fish.
Among the options, the other correct group of animals is “a pack of wolves”. Therefore, the correct answer is option (1).
The other options are incorrect. It should be a parliament of owls, a pride of lions and a clowder of cats.
Answer: (1) Pack : wolves
Male and female variants:
The most common form is to add “ess” to the male variant, in order to get the female variant.
For instance,
Leopard and leopardess
Lion and lioness
Tiger and tigress
Some other variants are mentioned below:
| Animal |
Male |
Female |
| Ant |
Drone |
Worker / queen |
| Bear |
Boar |
Sow |
| Camel |
Bull |
Cow |
| Cat |
Tom |
Queen |
| Chimpanzee |
Blackback |
Empress |
| Chicken |
Cock / rooster |
Hen |
| Crocodile |
Bull |
Cow |
Deer
includes antelope, chital, elk, moose, reindeer, sambar etc. |
Buck / stag |
Doe |
| Dog |
Dog |
Bitch |
| Donkey |
Jack |
Jenny |
| Duck |
Drke |
Duck/hen |
| Elephant |
Bull |
Cow |
| Fox |
Dog |
Vixen |
| Giraffe |
Cow |
Bull |
| Goat |
Billy / buck |
Doe / nanny |
| Goose |
Gander |
Goose |
| Hawk |
Tiercel |
Hen |
| Hippopotamus |
Bull |
Cow |
| Horse |
Stallion |
Mare / dam |
| Opossum |
Jack |
Jill |
| Peacock |
Peacock |
Peahen |
| Pig |
Boar |
Sow |
| Rabbit |
Buck |
Doe |
| Sheep |
Ram / buck |
Ewe / dam |
| Swan |
Pen |
Cob |
| Walrus |
Bull |
Cow |
| Whale |
Bull |
Cow |
| Wolf |
Dog |
She-wolf / bitch |
| Zebra |
Stallion |
Mare |
Babies of animals:
Pups and cubs are common forms of baby animals. Babies of birds are usually called chicks or hatchlings. Other key baby forms are covered below:
| Animal |
Baby and Plural |
| Alligator, crocodile |
Hatchling, hatchlings |
| Antelope, caribou, elk, gnu, moose, reindeer |
Calf, calves |
| Ant |
Antling, antlings |
| Bat |
Pup, pups |
| Bear |
Cub, cubs |
| Bee |
Larva, larvae |
Bird
typically for all specific birds as well |
Hatchling/chick, hatchlings/chicks |
| Boar, pig |
Piglet/shoat, piglets/shoats |
| Camel |
Calf, calves |
| Cat |
Kitten, kittens |
| Cattle |
Calf, calves |
| Cheetah, leopard, lion |
Cub, cubs |
| Chicken |
Chick, chicks
(cockerel and pullet are the male and female variants) |
| Cicada, grasshopper |
Nymph, nymphs |
| Deer |
Fawn, fawns |
| Dog |
Pup, pups/puppies |
| Donkey |
Colt/foal, colts/foals |
| Duck, mallard |
Duckling, ducklings |
| Eagle |
Eaglet/fledgling, eaglets/fledglings |
| Elephant |
Calf, calves |
| Fish |
Fry/fingerling, fry/fingerlings |
| Fly |
Maggot, maggots |
| Fox |
Cub/pup , cubs/pups |
| Frog, toad |
Tadpole, tadpoles |
| Giraffe |
Calf, calves |
| Goat |
Kid/billy, kids/billies |
| Hare |
Leveret, leverets |
| Hawk |
Eyas, eyases/eyasses |
| Hedgehog |
Piglet/pup, piglets/pups |
| Horse |
Colt/foal, colts/foals |
| Hyena |
Cub, cubs |
| Jellyfish |
Ephyna |
| Kangaroo, koala, possum, wombat |
Joey, joeys |
| Llama |
Cria, crias |
| Manatee |
Calf, calves |
| Mole |
Pup, pups |
Monkey
includes ape, baboon, gorilla, lemur |
Baby, babies |
| Mule |
Foal, foals |
| Otter |
Whelp/pup, whelps/pups |
| Owl |
Owlet/fledgling, owlets/fledglings |
| Oyster |
Spat, spats |
| Panda |
Cub, cubs |
| Partridge |
Cheeper, cheepers |
| Peacock |
Peachick, peachicks |
| Platypus |
Puggle, puggles |
| Porcupine |
Porcupette, porcupettes |
| Rabbit |
Bunny/kit, bunnies/kits |
| Raccoon |
Cub, cubs |
| Rhinoceros |
Calf, calves |
| Seal |
Pup, pups |
| Sheep |
Lamb, lambs |
| Swan |
Cygnet, cygnets |
| Turkey |
Poult, poults |
| Turtle |
Hatchling, hatchlings |
| Walrus |
Cub/pup, cubs/pups |
| Whale |
Calf, calves |
| Yak |
Calf, calves |
| Zebra |
Colt/foal, colts/foals |
Example 12
If 'Asinine' is for 'Donkey', then
[FMS 2010]
(1) 'Vulpine' is for 'Fox'
(2) 'Vulpine' is for 'Vulture'
(3) 'Avian' is for 'Cow'
(4) 'Avian' is for 'Dove'
Solution
These are examples of animal characteristics. Asinine is derived from ass (an animal similar to a donkey) and means extremely stupid.
Similarly, vulpine means related to a fox or crafty, cunning. Therefore, we can select option (1) as the correct choice.
Avian means relating to birds, but it is not specific to doves. Therefore, we can eliminate option (4).
Options (2) and (3) are incorrect, and can also be eliminated. Note that the word for cow is bovine which means related to or affecting cattle.
Answer: (1) 'Vulpine' is for 'Fox'
Example 13
If MALLARD is for DUCK, then
(1) Peacock is for peahen
(2) Fawn is for deer
(3) Foal is for horse
(4) Chital is for deer
Solution
A mallard is a type of duck. Similarly, a chital is a type of deer.
Peacock and peahen are the male and female versions, which is not the same relationship.
A fawn is a baby deer, and a foal is a baby horse. This is also not the same relationship. Note that this is a clue to eliminate, since the same relationship is given in two options. As we cannot choose one and eliminate the other, we must eliminate both.
Therefore, option (4) is the correct choice.
Answer: (4) Chital is for deer
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