Synonyms, Antonyms and Analogies Set 2
Synonyms, Antonyms and Analogies Set 2 extends the basic synonym/antonym skill with word analogies, questions of the form 'A is to B as C is to blank', testing whether a pupil can identify the precise relationship between a pair of words, such as part to whole, cause to effect, tool to user, or a stronger and weaker version of the same word, and apply it to a new pair. This set also pushes into the shade of meaning between near-synonyms, since 11+ papers frequently ask pupils to choose between two words that mean almost, but not quite, the same thing.
Method
- For an analogy question, first work out the exact relationship between the first pair of words in your own words, before looking at the answer options.
- Common analogy relationships include: part to whole (page is to book), tool to user (paintbrush is to artist), cause to effect (fire is to smoke), word to a stronger or weaker version (annoyed is to furious), and category membership (rose is to flower).
- Apply the exact same relationship to the second pair, checking your answer completes the sentence 'C is to your answer as A is to B' in the same way.
- For near-synonym questions, rank the options by strength or formality (annoyed, irritated, furious, enraged, from mildest to strongest) rather than treating them as interchangeable.
- Check the connotation (positive, negative or neutral feeling) of each option, since two words can share a dictionary meaning but carry a different tone (thrifty is positive, stingy is negative, though both relate to spending little).
- Eliminate any option that reverses the relationship (giving an antonym instead of a synonym, or an effect instead of a cause) before choosing your final answer.
- Re-check your chosen analogy answer by reading the full four-word relationship aloud in your head to confirm it makes logical sense.
Worked example
Complete the analogy: Puppy is to dog as kitten is to ___.
- Identify the relationship between 'puppy' and 'dog': a puppy is a young dog, so the relationship is young animal to adult animal.
- Apply the same relationship to 'kitten': a kitten is the young form of which adult animal?
- Recall that a kitten is a young cat.
- Check the full analogy makes sense: puppy is to dog as kitten is to cat (young animal to its adult form, in both cases).
- Final answer: cat.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1Complete the analogy: Chapter is to book as scene is to ___.Show answer
Answer: play (a chapter is a part of a book, and a scene is a part of a play - part to whole relationship)
Q2Complete the analogy: Doctor is to hospital as teacher is to ___.Show answer
Answer: school (a doctor works in a hospital, and a teacher works in a school - worker to workplace)
Q3Rank these three words from mildest to strongest: furious, annoyed, enraged.Show answer
Answer: annoyed, furious, enraged
Q4Which word has a more negative connotation, even though both describe spending carefully: thrifty or stingy?Show answer
Answer: stingy
Q5Complete the analogy: Key is to lock as password is to ___.Show answer
Answer: account (or computer/device) - both a key and a password are used to gain access to something.
Q6Give a synonym for 'ancient' that is stronger/more formal than 'old'.Show answer
Answer: archaic (or age-old, primeval - any valid stronger/more formal synonym)
Q7Complete the analogy: Silent is to loud as dim is to ___.Show answer
Answer: bright (both pairs are antonyms/opposites)
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Complete the analogy 'Author is to novel as composer is to ___', then explain the relationship the analogy is testing, and give one further example of your own that uses the exact same relationship. (4 marks)
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The words 'glance', 'stare' and 'glimpse' are all near-synonyms relating to looking. Explain the difference in meaning between all three, and use each correctly in a separate sentence. (5 marks)
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the synonyms, antonyms and analogies set 2 worksheet pack - 14 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
This topic is chapter 29 of 11+ English Workbook 3, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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