23 Analogies
An analogy is an inference based on similarity. The basic form is A : B :: C : D — meaning “A is to B as C is to D”. The candidate’s task is to identify the relation in the first pair and apply it to the second.
23.1 Working Approach to Analogy
- Identify the relation between A and B (function, part-whole, cause-effect, etc.).
- Apply the same relation to C.
- Choose the option that best fits.
The skill is to name the relation precisely. Vague relations admit many options.
23.2 Categories of Analogies
NTA Paper-I analogies fall into a small number of recurring categories.
| Category | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Synonym | Same or similar meaning | Big : Large :: Small : Tiny |
| Antonym | Opposite meaning | Hot : Cold :: Day : Night |
| Function / Tool | Object and its use | Pen : Write :: Knife : Cut |
| Worker and Workplace | Profession and place | Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : School |
| Worker and Tool | Profession and instrument | Carpenter : Saw :: Painter : Brush |
| Part to Whole | Component and the whole | Petal : Flower :: Wheel : Car |
| Whole to Part | Whole and component | Tree : Branch :: Body : Limb |
| Cause and Effect | Action and consequence | Rain : Flood :: Fire : Smoke |
| Object and Material | What it’s made of | Book : Paper :: Shirt : Cloth |
| Animal and Young | Adult and offspring | Cow : Calf :: Lion : Cub |
| Specialist and Field | Expert and specialty | Cardiologist : Heart :: Neurologist : Brain |
| Symbol and Meaning | Symbol and what it stands for | Dove : Peace :: Lion : Courage |
23.3 Number Analogies
In Number Analogy, the relation is mathematical.
| Pattern | Example | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| Square | 4 : 16 :: 5 : 25 | n² |
| Cube | 3 : 27 :: 4 : 64 | n³ |
| Square root | 81 : 9 :: 144 : 12 | √n |
| Multiplication by constant | 7 : 21 :: 8 : 24 | × 3 |
| Addition of constant | 5 : 11 :: 7 : 13 | + 6 |
| Successor / predecessor | 2 : 3 :: 9 : 10 | + 1 |
| n and n+1 product | 6 : 42 :: 7 : 56 | n × (n+1) |
| Half / double | 12 : 24 :: 15 : 30 | ×2 |
5 : 26 :: 7 : ?
Pattern: 5² + 1 = 26; 7² + 1 = 50.
23.4 Letter Analogies
| Pattern | Example | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| Same skip in alphabet | A : C :: D : F | +2 letters |
| Reverse pair | AB : YZ :: CD : WX | Mirror at midpoint |
| Vowel-consonant pattern | ABCD : WXYZ :: PQRS : HIJK | Same length, last 4 / mid 4 |
| Increasing skip | A : B :: B : D :: D : G | +1, +2, +3 |
| Word-letter sequences | CAT : XZG :: DOG : ? | Mirror each letter |
23.5 Verbal Analogy — Worked Examples
Doctor : Patient :: Lawyer : ?
Relation: professional and the person they serve.
Doctor serves Patient → Lawyer serves Client.
Hammer : Nail :: Screwdriver : ?
Relation: tool and the object it acts on.
Hammer acts on Nail → Screwdriver acts on Screw.
Famine : Starvation :: Drought : ?
Relation: cause and effect.
Famine causes Starvation → Drought causes Crop failure (or thirst, water shortage).
Bird : Fly :: Fish : ?
Two candidates: Swim (function — fish swims) and Water (habitat).
The first pair is creature and its mode of locomotion. So Swim is the precise match.
23.6 Common Distractors in Analogy Questions
| Distractor | What it does | Defence |
|---|---|---|
| Almost-right relation | Plausible but slightly off | Specify the relation in words first |
| Common-association option | Word associated with the term but not in the same relation | E.g., for “Bird : Fly”, “Sky” is associated with bird but is not the function relation |
| Reversed relation | Right relation but reversed direction | Maintain the same direction as the first pair |
23.7 Practice Questions
Pen : Write :: Knife : ?
View solution
Cardiologist : Heart :: Neurologist : ?
View solution
Famine : Starvation :: Drought : ?
View solution
5 : 26 :: 7 : ?
View solution
A : C :: D : ?
View solution
Cow : Calf :: Lion : ?
View solution
Petal : Flower :: Wheel : ?
View solution
9 : 729 :: 6 : ?
View solution
- Form: A : B :: C : ? — find the relation in (A, B), apply to C.
- Categories: synonym, antonym, function/tool, worker/workplace, worker/tool, part/whole, whole/part, cause/effect, object/material, animal/young, specialist/field, symbol/meaning.
- Number patterns: n², n³, ×k, +k, n(n+1).
- Letter patterns: same skip, mirror, increasing skip.
- Defence: name the relation in words first; reject distractor that swaps direction or uses mere association.