PassCCAT
Lvl58
Word analogies

How to solve word analogies

Verbal

Spot the relationship in one pair, then complete a second pair that mirrors it.

How to solve these

Mini-lesson

Analogies are not about word meaning, they are about the relationship between two words. Your job is to find the link in the first pair, then copy that exact link into the second pair.

  1. 1

    Name the relationship in a short sentence

    Turn the first pair into a sentence that explains how the words connect, e.g. "A painter uses a brush to do their work." A precise sentence is half the answer.

  2. 2

    Plug each option into the same sentence

    Replace the words with the second pair plus each option: "A writer uses a ___ to do their work." The option that keeps the sentence true is the answer.

  3. 3

    Match the direction and order

    If the first pair goes tool to user, the answer must go tool to user too, not the reverse. "Brush is to painter" is not the same as "painter is to brush".

Hacks

  • Make your linking sentence specific. "Is related to" is too loose and lets several options fit.
  • If two options both seem to fit, your sentence is too vague. Tighten it until only one survives.
  • Common relationship types: tool/user, part/whole, cause/effect, opposite, degree, category/example.

Avoid these

  • Picking a word just because it is from the same topic (writer and reader are related, but reader is not the tool).
  • Ignoring word order and choosing a reversed relationship.

Worked examples

Answers shown

Follow the steps on real items before you practise.

Example 1Difficulty 2

Painter is to brush as writer is to:

Answer: A. Here is why:

  1. Name the link: a painter uses a brush as their main tool.
  2. Reuse the sentence: a writer uses a ___ as their main tool.
  3. Only "pen" keeps it true. Paper and book are outputs, a reader is the audience.
Example 2Difficulty 3

Thermometer is to temperature as odometer is to:

Answer: B. Here is why:

  1. Name the link: a thermometer measures temperature.
  2. Reuse the sentence: an odometer measures ___.
  3. An odometer measures distance. Watch the trap: speed is what a speedometer measures.
Example 3Difficulty 4

Glove is to hand as sock is to:

Answer: A. Here is why:

  1. Name the link: a glove is worn to cover the hand.
  2. Reuse the sentence: a sock is worn to cover the ___.
  3. Only "foot" fits. A shoe is also footwear but is not a body part, and a toe is just one part of the foot.