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CAT 2025 Lesson : Analogies - Introduction
Introduction
Analogies are comparisons between two or more items. These questions are designed to test your knowledge of vocabulary and your critical reasoning ability. These usually occur in exams such as NMAT, SNAP and IIFT. The questions are typically of two types – those where you need to understand the relationship between the word pair or triplet, and those with difficult words where you must know or guesstimate the meaning. We will cover both types in this lesson. Essentially, these questions will test both your vocabulary and your ability to form meaningful patterns with the words given. To crack this section, you must be proficient in vocabulary (especially idioms, homonyms and connotation/context) and logical reasoning. Please read the question carefully as you might be asked to select the most appropriate or most inappropriate option.The direct questions will be of the following types:
(1) A pair of words will be provided along with another pair of words in the options. You need to select the pair (C & D) which showcases the same relationship as the pair in the question.
i.e., A : B :: __C___ : ___D___
(2) This is similar to the first type, except that there could be three words (D, E & F) instead of two.
i.e., A : B : C :: __D___ : ___E___ : ___F___
(3) A pair of words will be provided, along with another word. Each option will have a single word, and you need to select the word (D) which has the same relationship with the third standalone word as the first pair in the question.
i.e., A : B :: C : __D___
Examples of each type are provided below for ease of understanding.
Example 1
Select the option which has a similar analogy vis- a-vis the analogy given in the question.
[IIFT 2008]
MUTTER: INDISTINCT ::
(1) define: easy (2) blunder: polished
(3) articulate: well-spoken (4) expedite: completed
To define something is to state or establish its meaning or nature. Neither the definition nor the act of defining are necessarily easy, and therefore, we can eliminate option (1).
A blunder is a mistake, and therefore it is unrelated to polished (meaning shiny or sophisticated), and therefore, we can eliminate option (2) as well.
An articulate person is someone who can speak fluently and eloquently. Being well-spoken is an obvious characteristic of an articulate person, and therefore, this should be the correct option.
To expedite something is to fast track it so that is completed quickly. However, being completed is the effect and not the characteristic of expediting something, and we can eliminate option (4).
Answer: (3) articulate: well-spoken
[IIFT 2008]
MUTTER: INDISTINCT ::
(1) define: easy (2) blunder: polished
(3) articulate: well-spoken (4) expedite: completed
Solution
To mutter is to say something in a low, almost inaudible voice. Therefore, a mutter is indistinct (meaning not distinct or not clear). Let us look for options where the second word is a characteristic of the first.To define something is to state or establish its meaning or nature. Neither the definition nor the act of defining are necessarily easy, and therefore, we can eliminate option (1).
A blunder is a mistake, and therefore it is unrelated to polished (meaning shiny or sophisticated), and therefore, we can eliminate option (2) as well.
An articulate person is someone who can speak fluently and eloquently. Being well-spoken is an obvious characteristic of an articulate person, and therefore, this should be the correct option.
To expedite something is to fast track it so that is completed quickly. However, being completed is the effect and not the characteristic of expediting something, and we can eliminate option (4).
Answer: (3) articulate: well-spoken
Example 2
Select the option that expresses a relationship most similar to that expressed in the question.
[SNAP 2011]
Ink : pen : paper
(1) watch : dial : strap
(2) book : paper : words
(3) farmer : plough : field
(4) colour : brush : canvas
A watch has a dial and a strap, which is not the same relationship, as the functionality or utility is not mentioned (a more accurate analogy would have been a watch is worn on a wrist to tell time). Similarly, a book has words on paper, but the function of a book (to convey information) is not expressed. Therefore, we can eliminate options (1) and (2).
A farmer uses a plough on the field – the function is there, but the order is not correct. In the question, the second item (pen) uses the first item (ink), but the order is reversed in option (3). Thus, we can eliminate it.
A brush uses colour to paint on canvas. In this option, the functionality is expressed in the correct order. Therefore, option (4) is the correct choice.
Answer: (4) colour : brush : canvas
[SNAP 2011]
Ink : pen : paper
(1) watch : dial : strap
(2) book : paper : words
(3) farmer : plough : field
(4) colour : brush : canvas
Solution
Ink is used in a pen to write on paper. To put it another way, a pen uses ink, and the function of the pen is to write. Let us look for a similar relationship among the options.A watch has a dial and a strap, which is not the same relationship, as the functionality or utility is not mentioned (a more accurate analogy would have been a watch is worn on a wrist to tell time). Similarly, a book has words on paper, but the function of a book (to convey information) is not expressed. Therefore, we can eliminate options (1) and (2).
A farmer uses a plough on the field – the function is there, but the order is not correct. In the question, the second item (pen) uses the first item (ink), but the order is reversed in option (3). Thus, we can eliminate it.
A brush uses colour to paint on canvas. In this option, the functionality is expressed in the correct order. Therefore, option (4) is the correct choice.
Answer: (4) colour : brush : canvas
Example 3
Select a word to replace the blank spaces.
[IIFT 2013]
Benevolent : Kind ∷ Unclear : _________________
(1) Bright (2) Thick (3) Luminous (4) Muddy
Let us look for a synonym for unclear. Of all the options, muddy (meaning covered in mud) is the only possible choice. This is because, if something is covered in mud, it will be unclear (e.g. muddy water is the opposite of clear water).
Bright and luminous both mean shining, and are antonyms of unclear. Thick is unrelated. Therefore, we can eliminate all other options.
Answer: (4) Muddy
[IIFT 2013]
Benevolent : Kind ∷ Unclear : _________________
(1) Bright (2) Thick (3) Luminous (4) Muddy
Solution
A benevolent person is someone who is kind and well-meaning. Both are adjectives similar in meaning.Let us look for a synonym for unclear. Of all the options, muddy (meaning covered in mud) is the only possible choice. This is because, if something is covered in mud, it will be unclear (e.g. muddy water is the opposite of clear water).
Bright and luminous both mean shining, and are antonyms of unclear. Thick is unrelated. Therefore, we can eliminate all other options.
Answer: (4) Muddy
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