Mental Ability: Analogies Flashcards

Select the pair that has a relationship similar to the original pair: Odometer : Distance

Answer: Compass : Direction

An odometer is an instrument used to measure distance. Similarly, a compass is an instrument used to determine direction. The other options are also measuring instruments, but the relationship in the question is 'instrument measures X'. A clock measures time, a thermometer measures temperature, and a scale measures weight. However, the most analogous relationship is with the compass, as both are navigational tools providing a specific type of data reading.

Which of the following completes the analogy? Doctor : Hospital ::

Answer: Farmer : Farm

The relationship is 'a person and their primary workplace'. A Doctor's primary workplace is a Hospital. Similarly, a Farmer's primary workplace is a Farm. While a teacher works in a classroom and a student learns in a school, the farm is the entire domain of the farmer's work, just as the hospital is for the doctor.

Consider the relationship between 'Dog' and 'Kennel'. Which word has a similar relationship with 'Bird'?

Answer: Nest

A kennel is a man-made shelter specifically for a dog. A nest is a shelter built by a bird for itself and its young. This represents the 'animal and its dwelling' relationship.

A student is analyzing analogies for a test. They see the pair 'Cub : Tiger'. Which of the following pairs BEST matches the relationship?

Answer: Joey : Kangaroo

A 'Cub' is the specific name for the young of a Tiger. Similarly, a 'Joey' is the specific name for the young of a Kangaroo. While kitten, puppy, and calf are also young animals, 'Joey' is a less common and more specific term, similar to how 'cub' is used for several animals but is strongly associated with tigers, lions, and bears.

Complete the analogy: 4 : 16 :: 9 : ?

Answer: 81

The relationship between the first pair of numbers is that the second number is the square of the first number (4 x 4 = 16). Applying the same logic to the second pair, the square of 9 is 81 (9 x 9 = 81).

If 'Grapes' are to 'Vine' as 'Oranges' are to a 'Tree', which of the following scenarios demonstrates a flawed analogy?

Answer: Claiming that because a feather is light, a stone must be heavy.

The original analogy is 'fruit : plant it grows on'. The flawed analogy is 'feather : light :: stone : heavy'. This is an analogy of antonyms or opposite characteristics, not a 'part to whole' or 'object to source' relationship like the original example. The other scenarios represent valid analogous reasoning (need/fuel, part/collection, function/organ).