Word Analogies
Word Analogies is an 11+ verbal reasoning question type written as A is to B as C is to ?, where pupils work out the hidden relationship between a first pair of words and choose the option that completes a second pair in exactly the same way. It tests vocabulary and logical relationships such as part-to-whole, cause-and-effect or job-and-tool links, and appears throughout GL Assessment and CEM-style 11+ papers.
Before you start
No specific prerequisites - this is a good place to start.
Method
- Read the first pair of words and put their relationship into your own words, for example 'a baby X grows into a Y' or 'X is the opposite of Y'.
- Check that the relationship also fits the direction of the words, since which word comes first matters.
- Apply the same relationship to the third word to predict what the missing word should mean before looking at the options.
- Test each option in the relationship sentence you wrote and reject any option that is only loosely associated with the third word.
- Watch for options that are the right topic but the wrong type of link, such as a place associated with the word rather than the true relationship.
- Choose the option that fits the relationship most precisely and exactly.
Worked example
PILOT is to AEROPLANE as CAPTAIN is to ? A) Sea B) Ship C) Sailor D) Navy E) Deck.
- A pilot is the person in charge of flying an aeroplane, so the relationship is 'the person who is in charge of this vehicle'.
- Applying the same relationship, we need the vehicle a captain is in charge of, which is a ship.
- Sea is where a ship travels, not the vehicle itself, so it does not match the relationship.
- Sailor and Navy are people and organisations connected to ships, not the vehicle a captain commands, so they do not fit either.
- Final answer: B) Ship.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Work out the relationship in each pair, then choose the option that completes the second pair the same way. a) HAMMER is to NAIL as SCREWDRIVER is to ? - A) Screw B) Drill C) Wood D) Handle E) Turn. b) PUP is to SEAL as CUB is to ? - A) Bear B) Sheep C) Horse D) Duck E) Deer. c) IGLOO is to ICE as TEPEE is to ? - A) Skin B) Wood C) Snow D) Stone E) Brick.
Work out the relationship in each pair, then choose the option that completes the second pair the same way. d) NOVEL is to CHAPTERS as SYMPHONY is to ? - A) Movements B) Notes C) Instruments D) Songs E) Verses. e) BAROMETER is to PRESSURE as SPEEDOMETER is to ? - A) Distance B) Speed C) Time D) Fuel E) Direction. f) ACORN is to OAK as TADPOLE is to ? - A) Pond B) Egg C) Frog D) Fish E) Newt. g) COMPASS is to DIRECTION as CALENDAR is to ? - A) Date B) Season C) Month D) Clock E) Weather.
Work out the relationship in each pair, then choose the option that completes the second pair the same way. h) MYOPIC is to SHORT-SIGHTED as LOQUACIOUS is to ? - A) Quiet B) Talkative C) Clever D) Nervous E) Confused. i) EBB is to FLOW as INHALE is to ? - A) Breathe B) Exhale C) Rest D) Pause E) Cough.
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the word analogies worksheet pack - 9 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. No sign-up, no email wall - just the PDF, free for personal and classroom use.
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