What is an Analogy?
An analogy is a comparison between two things that highlights their similarities and differences. It helps to draw conclusions by showing the relationship between the items being compared. Below are few analogy examples with answers.
Types of Relationships in Analogies
1. Instrument and Measurement
Example: Barometer: Pressure
A barometer is an instrument used to measure pressure.
More Examples:
- Thermometer: Temperature
- Anemometer: Wind Speed
- Odometer: Speed
- Scale: Length
- Balance: Mass
- Sphygmomanometer: Blood Pressure
- Rain Gauge: Rainfall
- Hygrometer: Humidity
- Ammeter: Electric Current
- Seismograph: Earthquakes
- Screw Gauge: Thickness
2. Quantity and Unit
Example: Length: Meter
A meter is a unit of length.
More Examples:
- Mass: Kilogram
- Force: Newton
- Energy: Joule
- Resistance: Ohm
- Volume: Liter
- Power: Watt
- Work: Joule
- Time: Seconds
- Current: Ampere
- Pressure: Pascal
3. Individual and Group
Example: Sailors: Crew
A group of sailors is called a crew.
More Examples:
- Cattle: Herd
- Flowers: Bouquet
- Grapes: Bunch
- Singer: Chorus
- Sheep: Flock
- Fish: Shoal
- Soldiers: Army
4. Animal and Young One
Example: Cow: Calf
A calf is the young one of a cow.
More Examples:
- Horse: Pony
- Cat: Kitten
- Sheep: Lamb
- Butterfly: Caterpillar
- Dog: Puppy
- Lion: Cub
5. Male and Female
Example: Horse: Mare
A mare is a female horse.
More Examples:
- Dog: Bitch
- Lion: Lioness
- Stag: Doe
- Tiger: Tigress
6. Individual and Class
Example: Lizard: Reptile
A lizard belongs to the class of reptiles.
More Examples:
- Man: Mammal
- Butterfly: Insect
- Ostrich: Bird
- Snake: Reptile
7. Individual and Dwelling Place
Example: Dog: Kennel
A kennel is the dwelling place of a dog.
More Examples:
- Bee: Apiary
- Lion: Den
- Fish: Aquarium
- Horse: Stable
8. Study and Topic
Example: Ornithology: Birds
Ornithology is the study of birds.
More Examples:
- Seismology: Earthquakes
- Botany: Plants
- Zoology: Animals
- Pathology: Diseases
9. Worker and Tool
Example: Blacksmith: Anvil
An anvil is the tool used by a blacksmith.
More Examples:
- Carpenter: Saw
- Chef: Knife
- Doctor: Stethoscope
- Tailor: Needle
10. Tool and Action
Example: Needle: Sew
A needle is used for sewing.
More Examples:
- Knife: Cut
- Gun: Shoot
- Sword: Slaughter
- Oar: Row
11. Workers and Working Place
Example: Chef: Kitchen
A chef works in a kitchen.
More Examples:
- Farmer: Field
- Teacher: School
- Doctor: Hospital
- Sailor: Ship
12. Worker and Product
Example: Mason: Wall
A mason builds a wall.
More Examples:
- Farmer: Crop
- Teacher: Education
- Author: Book
- Chef: Food
13. Product and Raw Material
Example: Prism: Glass
A prism is made of glass.
More Examples:
- Butter: Milk
- Wall: Brick
- Shoes: Leather
- Furniture: Wood
14. Part and Whole Relationship
Example: Pen: Nib
A nib is a part of a pen.
More Examples:
- Pencil: Lead
- House: Kitchen
- Book: Chapter
- Class: Student
15. Word and Antonym
Example: Attack: Defend
Defend is the antonym of attack.
More Examples:
- Advance: Retreat
- Cruel: Kind
- Best: Worst
- Deep: Shallow
Practice Questions: Completing Analogous Pairs
1. Newspaper: Press :: Cloth:?
(a) Tailor (b) Textile (c) Fiber (d) Factory (e) Mill
Answer: Mill
2. Bombay: Maharashtra :: Trivandrum:?
(a) Calcutta (b) Gujarat (c) Rajasthan (d) Kerala (e) Sikkim
Answer: Kerala
3. Vigilant: Alert :: Viable:?
(a) Active (b) Gentle (c) Hopeless (d) Feasible (e) Useful
Answer: Feasible
Understanding analogies is essential for competitive exams and improving logical reasoning skills. Each type of analogy listed above helps you analyze relationships, which can improve both your vocabulary and reasoning abilities.
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