What Are Analogies 3e4h3k

What are Analogies? Back to Top

At the outset, analogy is used to refer to the relationship between the target and the source of information. It is used as a process of transferring information from a particular target to another target which is similar to the other one. To be precise, analogy is treated as the identification of relationship between two /conditions.

Analogy plays a notorious role in problem solving, creativity, decision making, perception, memory, and communication. The Great Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle gave a wider vision to analogy. They defined analogy as a shared abstraction, since they did not share necessarily a logical relationship, but also an idea, a pattern, an attribute, an effect or a function.

As stated above, analogy has a wide range of purpose in many subjects and fields. We could notice the use of analogies in various studies and subjects like mathematics, science, trials, information technology, economics, political science, mental ability, philosophy, etc. Analogies Examples Back to Top

You will be given a pair of words that have a certain logical relationship to each other, and you will have to choose a parallel second pair. Now, from the given four pairs of words, you need to choose a pair of words that has a similar relationship as the given pair.

At first glance, the words in analogy may seem to have nothing to do with each other, but the words are always logically related and have the same kind of relationship. To finish an analogy,

you need to decide what relationship exists between the first two things or ideas. Then apply that relationship to another pair of words and see if it is the same.

To get the exact pair with the similar relationship, let us analyze each option in detail. It is always advisable to find out the exact relationship the words in question shows. The given pair is ‘Basil : Herb’. BASIL is a type of HERB. “Is a type of” is the relationship. Hence the next pair should also share the same relationship. Shall we try?

The first option is “wheel : car”. Could you guess the relationship in this pair? Wheel is a part of a car. The relationship is Part-to-whole. This pair does not have any similarity with the given pair.

The second option is “water : reservoir” A reservoir is a place where you find water. This relationship is also not parallel to the given pair of words.

The third option is “oak : tree” Oak is a type of tree. This pair of words has the same relationship as the first pair. Let’s consider the fourth option too.

The fourth option is “boat : sail” Boat is a means of transportation used to sail. This is an “object to function” analogy, and this pair of words does not share the same relationship as the first pair. As option C has the same relationship as the given pair, it is the correct option. Types of Analogies Back to Top

It is of course very evident that we should draw certain logic/relationship between the first pair of words to discern analogy of any pairs. Do you wonder what those logic relationships in analogy are? The most common analogy relationships you will encounter are:

Type of Analogy Relationship Type

Relationship

Example

Synonym

is similar in meaning to

lucky : fortunate

Antonym

is similar in opposite to

lament : rejoice

Part to Whole

is a part of

stanza : poem

Category/Type

is a type/kind of

college : art

Object to Function

is used to

ruler : measure

Performer to Related Action does/performs

chef : cook

Cause and Effect

is a cause or indication of tornado : destruction

Degree of Intensity

is a small or large

Symbol and Representation is a symbol of

irritate : enrage dove : peace

1. Synonyms: Synonyms are words that have the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. In this type of analogy, you will need to find words that are parallel in meaning. Here is an example for you.

SMART: INTELLIGENT :: ECSTATIC : ____________

A. despaired B. blissful C. unhappy D. miserable The first pair of words “smart and intelligent” means the same thing. So this relationship is a synonym. Hence from the given options, we need to find the word with the similar meaning as ecstatic. When you read carefully, you could find out all the choices except B “blissful” are antonyms of ecstatic. Hence ‘B’ is the right answer.

2. Antonyms:

Some analogies are based on antonyms-words that have opposite meanings. In this type of analogy, one word in each pair means the opposite of another. Here is an example for you.

HUMBLE: ARROGANCE :: MISERABLE: _______________ A. mournfulness B. gloom C. elation D. distress

To complete this analogy, let’s first determine the relationship in the first pair of words. Humble is the opposite of arrogance. Now, we need to choose the word that means the opposite of miserable. An antonym for miserable is elation. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

3. Part to Whole

This type of analogy expresses a part to whole or part of relationship. The first word will be a part of the second word or vice versa. For example, galaxy: universe. In this pair, galaxy is a part of the whole universe. Let’s look at another example.

PARAGRAPH : ESSAY :: ACT : _____________ A. play B. novel C. book D. poem

The first pair of words in the analogy above shows the part to whole relationship. The paragraph is the part of an essay. Similarly, act is the one of the main divisions of a play. Option A is the right answer. The pattern can also be reversed “Essay : Paragraph :: Play : Act”

4. Category/Type

In this type of analogy relationship, one word is the element/member of a group that the other word describes.

FOLK : MUSIC :: BOLERO : _______________ A. instrument B. song C. dance D. painting

Folk is a type of music. Similarly, Bolero is a type of dance that originated in Spain. Therefore, option C is the right answer.

5. Object to Function

This type of analogy tests whether you can determine the function of a specific thing or tool. The first word will be a part of the second word or vice versa. For example, the function of a shovel is to dig. Make sure the function word (certainly a verb) is the primary function of the object (noun) that makes up the other word of the pair.

NEEDLE : SEW :: SHIELD : ______________ A. carry B. protect C. hold D. point If we establish the relationship between the given words, we would say that a needle (object/noun) is a slender piece of metal used for sewing (function/verb). Now, figure out why

one uses shield for. It is a large piece of metal carried by soldiers for protection. Therefore, option B is the correct answer as the function of a shield is to protect.

6. Performer to Related Action:

This kind of analogy usually links a person or object with the action they commonly perform. For example, consider the pair doctor: diagnose. Here the doctor’s job/profession is to diagnose a patient and give treatment.

BURGLAR : STEAL :: ARBITRATOR : ________________ A. direct B. orient C. paint D. judge

We all know that burglar is one who steals. Always that when solving analogies of such types, we must look for the word pair in which the action given must describe the explicit action of the person/professional. We are then looking for a word that describes an Arbitrator. An arbitrator is a person who is chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue. Therefore, the correct answer is option D.

7. Cause and Effect

In this type of analogy, one word in the pair describes a condition or action, while the other word describes an outcome or effect to that action or condition. For example,

VIRUS : ILLNESS : : FLOOD : ______________ A. rain B. destruction C. hurricane

D. drought The relationship between the given words can be stated that virus causes illness. So, to solve this analogy, we need to identify the direct result of the flood. Option A and C can be eliminated as rain and hurricane are not the results of flood, it is the other way round. Similarly, option D can be eliminated as drought is a long period of time when there is little or no rain. Option B is the correct answer because destruction is the result that follows flood.

8. Degree of Intensity

Another type of analogy relationship is ‘Degree of intensity.’ That is, the words in each pair have similar meanings, but one word is stronger, more intense, than the other. For example, being fanatic is an extreme range of being enthusiastic. Though both words are similar in meaning, one word is more intense than the other one. The relationship between these two words depends on the degree of intensity of their meaning.

Example: WELL : ROBUST : : THRIFTY : ___________ A. frugal B. careful C. miserly D. prudent In the given pair, the second word describes a feeling that is more intense than the first word suggest. Someone who is extremely well is robust. Do you understand? Now, choose a pair of words that have similar relationship. On analyzing the options, it is option C “miserly” that is more intense than thrifty. ‘Miserly’ describes a person who is extremely ‘thrifty or frugal’ in nature.

9. Symbol and Representation This type of relationship represents or symbolizes the other word.

OLIVE BRANCH : PEACE :: LAMB : ______________ A. meekness

B. evil C. love D. royalty Dyn Pangilinan Ariane Edolmo