Verbal Reasoning: Analogies and Word Relationships Set 3
Verbal Reasoning: Analogies and Word Relationships Set 3 is a third practice round on the A is to B as C is to blank format used across GL Assessment and CEM style 11+ papers, adding harder abstract vocabulary and pairs where the relationship is a two-stage transformation, such as an early form growing into a mature one, so spotting the exact rule rather than a loose theme becomes essential.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Read the first pair and try to state the link as one precise sentence, checking whether it is a synonym, antonym, part-to-whole, function, category, degree or transformation link.
- A transformation link means the first word turns into or is the early form of the second, such as an early stage growing into a mature form; write this out fully rather than leaving it as a vague feeling of connection.
- Apply your finished sentence to the third word first, working out roughly what the missing word should mean before you look at any options.
- Check the direction of the sentence matches the order the words are given in; reversing the sentence usually produces the wrong answer even when it uses the right two ideas.
- Test each option against your rule rather than against the third word alone, ruling out any option that is merely from the same general topic without matching the precise link.
- Where two options both look plausible, reread the exact strength or specificity of the first pair, since the trap option is normally one degree too broad, too narrow, too early or too late.
Worked example
CATERPILLAR is to BUTTERFLY as TADPOLE is to ( ? )
- Identify the relationship for the first pair: a caterpillar is the young, early form of a creature that later transforms into a butterfly, so this is a transformation link between an early stage and the mature form.
- Turn this into one precise sentence: 'X is the early stage that eventually transforms into Y.'
- Apply the same sentence to the third word: a tadpole is the early stage of an amphibian, so the missing word must be the mature form it transforms into.
- Check the direction: the sentence must run from the early stage, tadpole, to the mature form, not the reverse.
- Final answer: frog.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Q1METICULOUS is to CAREFUL as CANDID is to ( ? ) A) Honest B) Secretive C) Nervous D) Careless E) FormalShow answer
Answer: A) Honest - meticulous and careful share a meaning, so the missing word must share a meaning with candid too; honest fits, while secretive is close to the opposite.
Q2ABUNDANT is to SCARCE as GENEROUS is to ( ? ) A) Kind B) Selfish C) Wealthy D) Cautious E) FriendlyShow answer
Answer: B) Selfish - abundant and scarce are opposites, so the missing word must be opposite to generous; kind and friendly are close in meaning to generous, not opposite to it.
Q3PETAL is to FLOWER as CHAPTER is to ( ? ) A) Sentence B) Author C) Book D) Page E) LibraryShow answer
Answer: C) Book - a petal is a distinct part of the whole flower, and a chapter is a distinct part of the whole book; page is also only a part, not the containing whole, so it does not match the pattern.
Q4THERMOMETER is to TEMPERATURE as SPEEDOMETER is to ( ? ) A) Car B) Speed C) Distance D) Engine E) DashboardShow answer
Answer: B) Speed - a thermometer's job is to measure temperature, and a speedometer's job is to measure speed.
Q5SPANIEL is to DOG as TROUT is to ( ? ) A) Sea B) Fish C) River D) Fisherman E) ScalesShow answer
Answer: B) Fish - a spaniel is a specific breed within the general category dog, and a trout is a specific type within the general category fish.
Q6CUB is to LION as CALF is to ( ? ) A) Farm B) Cow C) Milk D) Herd E) PastureShow answer
Answer: B) Cow - a cub is the young form of a lion, and a calf is the young form of a cow.
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) NOVICE is to EXPERT as AMATEUR is to ( ? ) - A) Beginner B) Professional C) Athlete D) Hobbyist E) Student. b) PUPPY is to DOG as KITTEN is to ( ? ) - A) Cat B) Milk C) Litter D) Paw E) Fur.
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COCOON is to MOTH as CHRYSALIS is to ( ? ). Name the missing word and explain the relationship you used.
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FLOCK is to SHEEP as SHOAL is to ( ? ) A) River B) Fish C) Water D) Net E) Boat
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the verbal reasoning: analogies and word relationships set 3 worksheet pack - 15 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 18 of 11+ Verbal Reasoning Workbook 3, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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