Name ___________________________ Date ____________________

Explaining Analogies 
Directions:  Circle the word that best completes each analogy.  Explain why you chose your 
answer.   

Example: Brush is to paint as pen is to write.

Explain: You use a brush to paint and you use a pen to write.

1. Stripes is to zebra as giraffe is to _______________.

runs stripes fur spots

Explain: ________________________________________________________________

2. Red is to stop as green is to _______________.

go remember forget caution

Explain: ________________________________________________________________

3. Plenty is to enough as shortage is to _______________.

too much scarcity lost hunger

Explain: ________________________________________________________________

4. Present is to here as late is to _______________.

absent punctual tardy overslept

Explain: ________________________________________________________________

5. Bats are to caves as humans are to _______________.

stores forests beds houses

Explain: ________________________________________________________________

© This worksheet is from www.teach-nology.com 

Name ___________________________ Date ____________________

Explaining Analogies – ANSWER KEY 
Directions:  Circle the word that best completes each analogy.  Explain why you chose your 
answer.   

Example: Brush is to paint as pen is to write.

Explain: You use a brush to paint and you use a pen to write.

1. Stripes is to zebra as giraffe is to _______________.

runs stripes fur spots

Explain: Zebras have stripes and giraffes have spots.

2. Red is to stop as green is to _______________.

go remember forget caution

Explain: Red means to step and green means go.

3. Plenty is to enough as shortage is to _______________.

too much scarcity lost hunger

Explain: If there is plenty of something there is enough, but a shortage means that there
is a scarcity.

4. Present is to here as late is to _______________.

absent punctual tardy overslept

Explain: Present means that you are here, while tardy means that you are late.

5. Bats are to caves as humans are to _______________.

stores forests beds houses

Explain: Bats live in caves and humans live in houses.

© This worksheet is from www.teach-nology.com