Verbal Reasoning: Analogies Set 4
Verbal Reasoning: Analogies Set 4 is a focused practice set on word analogies and letter-pair analogies at a deeper level, covering relationships such as part-to-whole, tool-to-function and creator-to-work, alongside letter pairs linked by a consistent alphabet shift or a swap in letter order. Analogies test whether a pupil can identify the precise logical relationship between a first pair of items and then find the option that repeats that exact relationship, rather than a merely related one.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Identify the specific relationship between the first pair of words before looking at any of the answer options, so the wording of the options cannot mislead you.
- State the relationship as a short sentence, for example 'a KNIFE's job is to CUT', then test that same sentence pattern on each option in turn.
- Rule out any option that reverses the relationship, such as offering the whole where the part is needed, since word analogies never swap direction between the two halves.
- Where two options both seem to fit the same broad category, look for the narrower and more precise relationship, since the intended answer is always the closer match.
- For letter-pair analogies, work out the shift or rule for each letter of the pair separately, since one letter can move by a different amount from the other.
- Apply the confirmed shift or rule to both letters of the new pair, and check the result against the options before choosing your final answer.
Worked example
FINGER is to HAND as TOE is to ( ? ) A) Shoe B) Foot C) Leg D) Nail E) Sock
- State the relationship in the first pair: a FINGER is a small part directly attached to the HAND.
- Apply the same relationship pattern to the second pair: a TOE is a small part directly attached to the ____.
- Check each option against this exact pattern: a Shoe and a Sock are not body parts; a Leg is a body part but toes are not directly attached to it; a Nail is even smaller than a toe, not what the toe attaches to.
- A Foot is the body part that toes are directly attached to, matching the relationship precisely.
- Final answer: B) Foot.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Q1PAGE is to BOOK as SLICE is to ( ? ) A) Bread B) Loaf C) Knife D) Toast E) SandwichShow answer
Answer: B) Loaf - a page is one part of a book, and a slice is one part of a loaf
Q2KNIFE is to CUT as BROOM is to ( ? ) A) Clean B) Sweep C) Dust D) Floor E) HandleShow answer
Answer: B) Sweep - a knife's specific job is to cut, and a broom's specific job is to sweep
Q3HAMMER is to NAIL as ( ? ) is to SCREW A) Wrench B) Screwdriver C) Drill D) Bolt E) NutShow answer
Answer: B) Screwdriver - a hammer is the tool used to drive in a nail, and a screwdriver is the tool used to drive in a screw
Q4AUTHOR is to BOOK as COMPOSER is to ( ? ) A) Music B) Symphony C) Instrument D) Orchestra E) SongShow answer
Answer: B) Symphony - an author creates a book, and a composer creates a symphony, both being one specific finished work
Q5BD is to FH as JL is to ( ? ) A) MO B) NP C) NO D) MP E) OPShow answer
Answer: B) NP - both letters in each pair move 4 places forward in the alphabet
Q6AC is to CA as EG is to ( ? ) A) EG B) GE C) FG D) GF E) EFShow answer
Answer: B) GE - the second pair reverses the order of the letters in the first pair
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
GLOVE is to HAND as SOCK is to ( ? ). A) Foot B) Leg C) Shoe D) Toe E) Ankle. State the relationship type, then give your answer.
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HK is to LO as QT is to ( ? ). Show your working.
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the verbal reasoning: analogies set 4 worksheet pack - 12 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 20 of 11+ Verbal Reasoning Workbook 3, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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