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Know the test writer's favorite types of analogies and you will have an extra advantage when you take the test. Do please be
aware, however, that there are other types of analogies tested as well.
Type of
This is probably the SAT test writer's most favorite analogy. DOVE : BIRD is an example.
Cause/Effect
As the name implies, cause and effect analogies involve a noun or verb that in some leads to the other word. An example is
LAUGHTER : JOKE.
With these analogies, one word is "used to" in relation to the other word. A noun : noun example is STEREO : MUSIC.
(A stereo is used to play music.) A noun : verb example is FORK : EAT. (Afork is used to eat.)
Without
In this analogy, one word means to lack the other word. An example would be HUNGER : FOOD.
These analogies involve 2 nouns one of which is a place where the other noun is found. RESTAURANT : FOOD is an
example of the "is a place where" analogy.
Vocabulary
The relationships are not the primary obstacle with vocabulary analogies which seek more to test your vocabulary
knowledge. Hence, if you learn the most common vocabulary words, you will be most of the way towards getting these
questions correct. In any event, you should be able to use process of elimination for at least 1 or 2 answer choices. Since
there are a relatively small number of words the SAT test writers repeatedly use, any vocabulary deficiencies can be
overcome rather easily. You can visit ourbooks link to read our recommendations.
Now that you have seen the most common types of analogies used on the SAT, are you ready for some practice questions?
The analogies will follow the sentence completion questions. You will see a total of 19 analogy questions, 6 in one 30 minute
verbal section and 13 in the other. Each group of analogy questions will be arranged in order of difficulty.
In other words, you won't see NEWSPAPER : WATCH :: in your SAT test. Why? Because there is no direct relationship
between newspaper and watch and they are, therefore, not an analogy.
What not to do
The biggest mistake we have encountered with analogies are students who want to insist on approaching them by saying
"Wallet is to money as ..." While this may sound official, it is the wrong way to approach the analogies questions.
Make up a short sentence that includes both words in the analogy. Example: A wallet contains money. (It's supposed to
anyway.) Try to keep this sentence short and use an active verb whenever possible. If you still have a problem (say because
the sentence you created fits most or even all of the answer choices) go back and make the question more specific.
As with other sections of the SAT, you will probably be able to use our advice to eliminate at least one of the answer choices
and increase the benefit from guessing.
If you are faced with an analogy and you are unsure if the words are to be used as verbs, adjectives, or nouns, check the
answer choices. The SAT requires that all of its choices agree with the analogy pair for parts of speech. This should help
you form a good sentence.
Also keep in mind, the SAT asks you for the best answer choice. Sometimes the best choice is not perfect. Even if you think
you see the best answer choice immediately, do spend at least a few seconds considering the other choices in case one of
these proves to be even better.
There are anywhere between 500 and 1,000 vocabulary words that show up rather consistently on the SAT. This may sound
like a lot of words, but with a few hours of study you should be relatively well prepared. Besides being able to impress -- or
unimpress -- your friends and family with a few new words, you will be able to increase your SAT score rather efficiently
since the test writers do heavily favor a relatively small number of obscure vocabulary words.
Come on, admit it. You're dying (well OK maybe not exactlydying) to know how well you did.
2.) A. This is a "type of" analogy question. You may have noticed how easily choices B and C could be eliminated because
they are in the reverse order of the questioned pair. Choice E is sort of correct in that stocks are a type of savings
instrument, but A is clearly better as the oriole is a species of bird and the analogy is between 2 living things just as the
question is. Choice D is good, but once again choice A is better because A also is a "species of" in addition to a "type of".
3.) C. This is a "place where" analogy question. If you simply made a sentence around the preposition "is found in", (A
doctor is found in a hospital) however, you would have quickly realized you had to become a little more specific. A doctor
works in a hospital and a professor works in a college.
4.) B. A good question for this analogy would be "A cub is a young bear". Choice C is close, but the order is reversed. (If we
had written C as kitten : cat instead of cat : kitten, we would have provided you with 2 equally correct answers.
5.) B. Ah, you say, they snuck in a vocabulary analogy they warned me about. A tenet is a belief and a theologian is
someone who studies religion. A hypothesis is something a biologist will study as part of his or her professional endeavors.
(If you faced a vocabulary issue with this analogy, we strongly recommend a SAT vocabulary book. In fact, even if you knew
the meaning of these words, you should still check out a SAT vocabulary book as there are bound to be a few words with
which you will not be familiar. Be sure to visit our books link to see our recommendations.)
ANALOGY TIPS
Background Information:
o If you like math more than English, here is something you are going to like. Analogies are
the closest thing to an equation and solving for X that English class offers!
o Once you learn the most common kinds of analogies used in test situations, you will likely
o Analogies involve critical thinking — that is why they appear on the SAT tests, for
example. They show that you not only can tell what words mean in isolation, but you can
Tip #1:
When you are given a question like “[word 1] : [word 2] : : ______________” and you have to choose
the correct set of words to complete the analogy, use the following tip:
CONCRETE…are both words in the sample concrete items? (TILE: ROOF) If so, you are probably
ABSTRACT…are both words in the sample abstract ideas? (ETHICS: INTEGRITY) If so, you are likely
(INNOCENCE: CHILD) If so, you are likely looking for a choice that combines abstract and concrete.
Tip #2:
Always determine the relationship between the first two words before looking at the answer choices.
This
This analogy is part to whole. The teacher is part of the staff. You now want to forget the two individual
words and just focus on the part to whole relationship. Look at how the following answer choices
B. Roll: roster
C. Absent: present
D. Iris: eye
E. graduate: detain
Tip #3:
Use parts of speech as a guidepost. If the first word is an adjective, followed by a noun, look for
that same
(carnivorous: lion)
What if you're not certain if the first word in a few choices is an adjective or not? Use your word parts
to
guide you wherever possible. For example, many adjectives end in …ive or …able
Tip #4:
What if you do not know what the two words in the sample mean?
Look closely at the two words to see if there is any prefix or suffix to help you figure out if the pair is a
(intercalate: extirpate)
“Inter”…usually means between. So this word might mean something between two things or people.
“Ex”…usually means out. So this word might mean to take something out.
(F.Y.I - extirpate means to pull out by the root or cut in surgery)
You are looking for two words that are antonyms! Part of speech likely is the same based upon "ate"
ending.Tip #5:
Do not think that all the words on a test are "hard" words! You will find fairly simple words that have
multiple meanings. If one meaning does not seem to fit any word relationship, try to think of other
(wax: diminish)
o (wax: furniture)
o (wax: bees)
It can also mean to increase in size or intensity. Therefore, you are looking for an antonym
relationship to
Tip #6:
(felony: imprisonment)
(failure: cheating)
In verbal analogy questions students are provided with a pair of words having some meaningful relationship. This relationship
between words is generally accurate and definite. To answer analogy questions students have to select a pair of words, which outdo
all the available options and present the best connection in regard to main word expression. Consider the following example:
Sedative: Drowsiness
Anesthetic: Numbness
Lawyer: Courtroom
All these above mentioned pairs have an explicit relationship, and it is obvious that to constitute the relationship, a meaningful
sentence is to be formed taking both words into consideration.
In analogy questions of GRE, the relationship between the words takes priority over the meanings of the words. The most common
analogy relationships include:
Definition: This type of analogy relation gives exact meaning or definition of the other word.
Degree of intensity: One word of expression shows mild whereas other word conveys a more severe aspect of same
phenomenon.
(Both words are different aspect of laugh braying means laugh loud whereas tittering means laugh nervously.)
Gender: One word is for male and other one represents its female counterpart.
Part to Whole: In this type of analogy, the first word is part of the second word or vice- versa.
Antonyms: In this type of analogy relation one word is the antonym of other.
In total there are 11 analogy questions to answer in the GRE’s verbal section. Analogies can be improved with little bit prac tice, and
could be helpful in scoring well. Do share with us your views, comments on this blog by filling up the feedback section.
The best way to find the relationship between the two words in the question is to use both of them in
a sentence. Consider the following GRE analogy example:
CHOIR:SINGER
So now we have a relationship between the two words in the question. The next step is to find the
answer choice that shows the same relationship.
Finding the Correct Answer
To find the correct answer choice, first remove the original words from the sentence you made in
part one. In our example we remove CHOIR and SINGERS. We are left with a sentence with two
blanks:
Plug the answer choices into the sentence and find the answer choice that makes the most sense.
You will find that answer choice (C) fits our sentence the best.
As you practice this GRE test-taking strategy on GRE practice questions, you will find that this
analogy strategy saves you time and effort as well as earns you more points on the GRE test.
The student portion of the Web site contains three analogy exercises of varying levels.
You can do them alone, either with or without a dictionary, or with friends. Before
you begin, however, study the information on this page so that you see the many
possible relationships suggested in each pair of words. If you wish to practice with
other samples, your instructor can give you additional exercises on the instructor
portion of this Web site.
The symbol ( : ) means "is to" and the symbol ( : : ) means "as." Thus, the analogy,
"aspirin : headache : : nap : fatigue," should be read "aspirin is to headache as nap is
to fatigue." Stated another way, the relationship between aspirin and headache is the
same as the relationship between nap and fatigue.
Eliminate any pairs in your answer choices that don’t have the same
relationship.
Try putting the first pair into a sentence: "Aspirin relieves a headache."
Therefore, a nap relieves fatigue.
Sometimes paying attention to the words’ parts of speech helps. For example
"knife" (noun) : "cut" (verb) : : "pen" (also a noun) : "write" (also a verb).
slender : skinny
Opposites Analogies
Opposites are exactly as the word suggests, things that are opposite to each other. This is a common analogy type
which you will encounter fairly often and since words have only one opposite this this a pretty straightforward type
which does not leave much room for discussion.
Examples: crying & laughing, fire & water, question & answer, etcetera.
Rhyme Analogies
Rhyme comes in lots of different shapes and is used sometimes in word analogies. Keep in mind that not only the
standard perfect rhymes can be used but also other types like syllabic rhyme or half rhyme can be encountered. We
are not going to discuss all possible types of rhyme but for a full list click here. The rhyme analogy problem provided
it is no basic rhyme type can be a very hard analogy to encounter. Examples: deer & steer, red & rod, glasses &
mosses.
This should give you a nice lead for solving analogy problems in verbal reasoning tests. Please try our tests, read
some more about verbal reasoning in general or return to the home page by clicking one of the buttons below. For
more information about analogies and aptitude tests
Following is a list of GRE test-taking tips that apply specifically to theReading Comprehension format — one of
three basic question formats you'll encounter during each of the exam's Verbal Reasoning sections.
NOTE: Reading Comprehension questions account for nearly half of all questions on a typical Verbal Reasoning
section, and they're generally presented in groups — each group based on a different reading passage.
1. Read the first question before you begin reading the passage.By doing so, you can read more actively
— with an eye out for the information you need.
2. Read the entire passage straight through, with pencil in hand.As you read, jot down the passage's
key points in the form of a bullet list or rough outline. Your notes can help you locate details as you tackle
the questions. Your notes can also help you recall passage details without re-reading the passage.
3. Think thesis. After reading the entire passage, take about 15 seconds to sum it up by formulating a thesis
statement of sorts. With the passage's central idea firmly in mind you can confidently eliminate any answer
choice that runs contrary to it, no matter the question type.
4. Beware sucker-bait answer choices. Look out for answer choices that provide accurate passage
information but don't answer the question at hand. Also look out for answer choices that introduce
information or ideas beyond those stated or implied in the passage. Finally, if the passage's author
expresses his or her own viewpoint on the topic but discusses other points of view as well, beware answer
choices that attribute a viewpoint to the wrong source.
5. Consider each and every answer choice. Never confirm your answer to a question until you've read all
five choices. Keep in mind: the difference between the best response and the second-best response can be
subtle, especially when it comes to challenging questions.
6. Review all your answers before leaving a question set. GRE Reading Comprehension questions come
in sets of 2-4 questions per passage. Once you attempt all of the questions in a set, you'll probably have a
more complete understanding of the passage than when you started and may very well change your mind
about one or two of your answers, especially for earlier questions.
Getting good score in GER Verbal depends on how well you perform in GRE Verbal Reading
Comprehension section. If you have good reading seed, you can save time and spend more time in solving
the problem. Follow the Reading Comprehension Tips in this blog post and for sure you can see
improvement in your GRE Score.
Improving reading speed is something that you have to practice. To get started find your reading
speed then work to improve the speed.
Improve Reading Speed
There are several techniques that can be followed to improve the reading speed. Follow the technique you
feel comfortable
1. Use pen or index finger and move it faster than the speed at which you read.
2. Practice to read more number of words when you move the eyes.
3. Use a card to block the text and move the card and try to read bit faster than the pace at which you can
understand.
Many of you will finds easy to read a given passage faster than your regular reading speed. But, can you
understand the message while reading at a pace faster than your regular speed? Overnight you can’t
expect to improve the reading speed. Constant effort is required over a period of time. [ 20 Step by Step
GRE Exam Study Plan]
1. Try to read the whole text of the passage once, if possible. Many people think you should just skim the passage or read the first lines of ev ery
paragraph, and not to read the passage. We believe this is an error: if you misunderstand the main idea of the passage, you w ill certainly get at
least some of the questions wrong. Give the passage one good read, taking no more than 3 minutes to read all of the text. Do not read the passage
more than once that wastes too much time. If you have not understood it completely, try to answer the questions anyway. Note: this point of
reading the whole passage is important for test-takers whose first language is not English, provided that they can read the passage in 3 minutes or
less.
2. Make brief notes on the text on your scrap paper. As we will see below in greater detail, you should write down a couple of words on
3. Remember that the tone or attitude of the passage is usually respectful and moderate, never going to extremes of praise nor criticism. ETS
obtains its Reading Comprehension passages from real articles about real academics and professionals. So the tone of the articles, even when
there is criticism in the passage toward an academic or her work, is always balanced and moderate. In the same vein, articles that deal with
minorities or ethnic groups are almost always positive and sympathetic.
4. Look out for structural words that tell you the important ideas or transitions in a passage.
Conclusion Words
Thus
Therefore
Hence
So
In summary
In conclusion
5. Go back to the text of the passage for the answers. Many test-takers fail to return to the text of the passage to look for the correct answers. They
rely solely on their memories and understanding of the passage after having read or skimmed it. Wrong. ETS is counting on that. Go back to the
text to look for information to answer the questions. Nine times out of ten, the answer lies within the passage.