CAT 2025 Lesson : Analogies - Vocabulary

Select the option that expresses a relationship most similar to that expressed in the capitalised pair.

VINTAGE: DECREPIT

(1) Satiated : satisfied           
(2) Steadfast : tenacious           
(3) Clique : club           
(4) All of the above           

Solution

Vintage means something of high quality, usually old or from the past (e.g. wine). Decrepit, on the other hand, means old and worn-out or ruined. Therefore, the words are used in different contexts to describe something old.

Let us look for words which are synonymous, but typically used in opposite contexts from among the options.

Satiated and satisfied have the same meaning (meaning full, contented) and context.

Similarly, steadfast and tenacious both mean constant, persevering. Both these words are used in a positive context.

However, clique (meaning exclusive group) and club (meaning group or association with something in common), while similar in meaning, have different contexts – clique is generally used in a negative context, as a close-knit group of people who do not readily allow others to join them. We have to select this option even though the order is reversed, as none of the other options have a difference in context.

Therefore, option (3) is the correct choice.

Answer: (3) Clique : club

To bite the bullet is to ______________

(1) eat an unpleasant thing           
(2) get an unpleasant thing over with         
(3) clean up one's act           
(4) put your head down and work          

Solution

To bite the bullet is an idiom which means to get something over with as it is inevitable. Therefore, option (2) is the correct choice.

Answer: (2) get an unpleasant thing over with

To be on the ball is to ______________

(1) do a good job           
(2) play with the ball           
(3) be on time           
(4) none of the above           

Solution

On the ball is an idiom which means to do a good job. Therefore, option (1) is the correct choice.

Answer: (1) do a good job

If leaf is to leaves and knife is to knives, then belief is to
[SNAP 2008]

(1) beliefs           
(2) believes           
(3) belief           
(4) believing           

Solution

Leaves and knives are the plural forms of leaf and knife respectively. The plural of belief (meaning something accepted as true of real, in the noun form) is beliefs.

Believe is the verb form meaning to have a belief, and hence, believes in option (2) and believing in option (4) can be eliminated. Both are tense variants of the verb form, and hence, not what the question is asking.

Belief is the singular form itself, and hence, option (3) can also be eliminated.

Therefore, option (1) is the correct choice.

Answer: (1) beliefs

Choose the option which represents something similar to that in the question.

Contract : abrogate

(1) Rescind : directive           
(2) Feeling : empathy           
(3) Praise : extol           
(4) Money : embezzle           

Solution

To abrogate means to either repeal (a law) or evade (a responsibility or duty). We can repeal or cancel a contract, and can also avoid complying with it. Therefore, let us try to find either function among the options.

To rescind means to revoke or cancel something. Rescinding a directive is similar to abrogating a contract, but this option has the words in the reverse order. In the question, the action word is the second one.

Option (4) is similar to abrogate in its second meaning – to embezzle is to steal or misappropriate something, usually money. Embezzling money is the wrong thing to do, and hence is similar to abrogating (evading) a contract.

Empathy is a feeling, and hence we can eliminate option (2). To praise and to extol have the same meaning, and hence, option (3) can also be eliminated.

Answer: (4) Money : embezzle

Choose the option which represents something similar to that in the question.

Behind : eight-ball ::

(1) Last : straw           
(2) Live : wire           
(3) Cloud : horizon           
(4) Topsy : turvy           

Solution

Being behind the eight-ball is an idiom meaning being in an awkward or difficult situation. The option which is closest to this is option (3), as a cloud on the horizon is something which will cause problems in the near future.

The last straw is the last in a series of unpleasant events.
A live wire is an energetic, unpredictable person.
Topsy turvy means upside down.

None of these idioms mean the same as behind the eight ball, and hence, option (3) is the correct choice.

Answer: (3) Cloud : horizon

Select the option which has a similar analogy vis- a-vis the analogy given in the question.
[IIFT 2008]

PECCADILLO: FLAW ::

(1) clandestine: openness           
(2) nick: score           
(3) forensics: judiciary           
(4) invasion: putsch           

Solution

A peccadillo is a minor fault or flaw. Both these words are synonymous. Therefore, let us try and find two synonymous words from the options.

Clandestine means done secretly, and is the opposite of openness. Therefore, we can eliminate option (1).

A nick is a small cut, and to nick (verb form) means to make a small cut. This is similar to score, which means to cut or scratch a surface. Therefore, option (2) should be the correct choice.

Forensics (meaning scientific tests or techniques used to detect or prove crime) and judiciary (all judges collectively) are not synonymous, and hence option (3) can be eliminated.

An invasion is an act of taking over another country with force, and a putsch is a violent, internal coup. As these are also not synonymous, we can eliminate option (4) as well.

Answer: (2) nick: score