ANALOGY

Define analogy: Start by explaining what an analogy is and why it is

important. An analogy is a comparison between two things that helps to
clarify or explain a concept. It is important because it helps to test
critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Provide examples: Give examples of analogies to help your students

understand the concept. For example, "hot is to cold as night is to day" is
an analogy that compares two opposite concepts.

Explain the types of analogies: There are different types of analogies

such as synonym/antonym, part/whole, degree, cause/effect, and
association. Explain each type and provide examples to help your
students understand them.

Practice with sample questions: Provide your students with sample

analogy questions from previous bank job preparation tests. Have them
practice identifying the type of analogy and choosing the correct answer.

Encourage critical thinking: Analogies are meant to test critical thinking

skills. Encourage your students to think critically and logically when
answering analogy questions. Remind them to look for relationships
between the words in the analogy and choose the answer that best
completes the analogy.

1 Compiled By: SHIMUL BHATTACHARJEE, Assistant Director, Bangladesh Bank

Analogy types in various banking recruitment tests in Bangladesh

Semantic Analogies: These are analogies that deal with the meanings of
words. In this type of analogy, you need to find the relationship between
two words and then find another pair of words that share the same
relationship.
For example:
Hot: Cold:: Happy : Sad (The relationship between the first pair of
words is opposite. The relationship between the second pair of words is
also opposite.)
Carpenter: Hammer :: Chef : Knife (The first word is the tool used by
the second word.)

Cause and Effect Analogies: These are analogies that deal with cause-
and-effect relationships. In this type of analogy, you need to find the
relationship between two events and then find another pair of events that
share the same cause-and-effect relationship.
For example:
Rain : Flood :: Fire : Damage (Rain causes floods, just as fire causes
damage.)
Overeating: Weight gain :: Overworking : Fatigue (Overeating causes
weight gain, just as overworking causes fatigue.)

2 Compiled By: SHIMUL BHATTACHARJEE, Assistant Director, Bangladesh Bank

 Thinking process of solving an analogy

Understand the relationship between the first two words: Start by

analyzing the relationship between the first two words in the analogy.
This will give you a clue as to what kind of relationship to look for in
the second pair of words.

Identify the relationship between the second pair of words: Once

you've identified the relationship between the first two words, try to find
a pair of words in the answer choices that have a similar relationship.

Test the answer choices: Once you have a possible answer choice, test
it by applying the same relationship to the words in the pair. If the
relationship works for both pairs, you've likely found the correct answer.

Eliminate incorrect choices: If you're unsure of the answer, start by

eliminating answer choices that are clearly incorrect. This will increase
your chances of guessing the correct answer.

3 Compiled By: SHIMUL BHATTACHARJEE, Assistant Director, Bangladesh Bank

 Example with the thinking process

let's say you're given the following analogy: Cat is to meow as dog is to
________.
Relationship between "Cat" and "meow": "Meow" is the sound that a cat
makes. So the relationship here is that the word "meow" is a sound that a
cat makes.
Relationship between "Dog" and the answer choice: Look for an answer
choice that has a similar relationship to the word "dog". One possible
answer choice is "bark", since "bark" is the sound that a dog makes.

Test the answer choice: Apply the relationship to the second pair of
words - "dog" and "bark" - to see if it makes sense. Just as "meow" is the
sound that a cat makes, "bark" is the sound that a dog makes. So this
answer choice is likely correct.

Eliminate incorrect choices: If there were other answer choices such as

"pur", "ribbit", and "neigh", you could eliminate them as they are sounds
made by a different animal.

It's important to note that there may be multiple correct answers for an
analogy question, so it's important to carefully consider all of the options
before selecting an answer.

4 Compiled By: SHIMUL BHATTACHARJEE, Assistant Director, Bangladesh Bank

Synonym Analogy: In this type of analogy, you need to find a word that
is synonymous with the given word.
Example:
Shy : Timid ::
(A) Quiet : Loud
(B) Scared : Brave
(C) Reserved : Outspoken
(D) Happy : Sad

Answer: C

Antonym Analogy: In this type of analogy, you need to find a word that
is antonymous with the given word.
Example:
Elevate : Lower ::
(A) Contract : Expand
(B) Sink : Float
(C) Reduce : Increase
(D) Fall : Rise

Answer: A

5 Compiled By: SHIMUL BHATTACHARJEE, Assistant Director, Bangladesh Bank

Function/Classification Analogy: In this type of analogy, you need to
find the function or classification of the given objects and choose the
option that has a similar function or classification.
Example:
Pencil : Write ::
(A) Plate : Cook
(B) Spoon : Eat
(C) Scissors : Cut
(D) Computer : Type

Answer: C

Tool/Worker Analogy: In this type of analogy, you need to find the tool
used by a worker or professional.
Example:
Painter : Brush ::
(A) Chef : Fork
(B) Surgeon : Scalpel
(C) Carpenter : Hammer
(D) Mechanic : Pliers

Answer: B

6 Compiled By: SHIMUL BHATTACHARJEE, Assistant Director, Bangladesh Bank

Object to Function: In this type of analogy, the relationship between an
object and its function is tested.
For example, "pen : write :: hammer : _______" with the answer being
"nail."

Part to Whole: This analogy tests your understanding of the

relationship between a part and the whole.
An example is "car : engine :: computer : _______" with the answer
being "processor."

Characteristic: In this type of analogy, you are tested on the

relationship between a characteristic and an object.
For example, "soft : pillow :: sharp : _______" with the answer being
"knife."

Part to whole: In this type of analogy, one item is a part of the other.
For example:
Hammer : Toolbox :: Pen : Stationery
In this analogy, a hammer is a tool that is typically found in a toolbox,
just as a pen is an item that is typically found in a stationery kit.

Degree or intensity: In this type of analogy, one item is more or less

intense than the other.
For example:Warm : Hot :: Cool : Cold
In this analogy, warm is less intense than hot, just as cool is less intense
than cold.

7 Compiled By: SHIMUL BHATTACHARJEE, Assistant Director, Bangladesh Bank

 Self test
1. DESPOT : AUTHORITY 4.INSIPID : TASTELESS
(A) conscience : guilt (A) pallid : lustrous

(B) mobster : violence (B) languid : energetic

(C) diplomat : tact (C) tranquil : peaceful

(D) dilapidated : ruined
(D) king : hierarchy
(E) insolent : rude
(E) monarch : democracy

5.GROVEL : HUMILIATION
2. DEBILITATE : VITALITY
(A) frown : indignation
(A) devastate : anguish
(B) lessen : diminution (B) snarl : frustration

(C) initiate : naivete (C) grin : friendliness

(D) eradicate : disease (D) dance : exuberance

(E) crawl : servility
(E) cultivate : plants

6.TACIT : WORDS
3. ALOOF : INDIFFERENT
(A) visible : invisible
(A) warm : cold
(B) quiet : loud
(B) careful : suspicious
(C) petty : charitable (C) formal : informal

(D) devious : sincere (D) implicit : explicit

(E) unique : individual (E) honest : dishonest

8 Compiled By: SHIMUL BHATTACHARJEE, Assistant Director, Bangladesh Bank

7.GULLIBLE : PERSUASION 10.APPREHENSION : DREAD
(A) fatuous : enlightenment
(A) acceptance : denial
(B) fickle : constancy (B) annoyance : anger
(C) irate : fury (C) uneasiness : calm
(D) effusive : restraint (D) happiness : joy
(E) contemptuous : disdain
(E) frustration : anger

8.GAUDY : TASTE
11.COLLOQUIAL : LITERARY
(A) loud : color
(A) dialect : accent
(B) shrill : sound
(B) long-winded : brief
(C) coarse : texture (C) commonplace : rare
(D) pungent : odor (D) archaic : modern
(E) vibrant : mood (E) euphemistic : blunt

9.PROXY : REPRESENTATION
12.MENDICANT : BEGGING
(A) savior : preservation
(A) mendacious : deceiving
(B) placate : irritation
(B) militant : protesting
(C) servile : adoration
(C) malevolent : helping
(D) manuscript : book (D) meretricious : convincing
(E) inheritance : possession (E) mawkish : crying

9 Compiled By: SHIMUL BHATTACHARJEE, Assistant Director, Bangladesh Bank

 Answer sheet:
1. DESPOT : AUTHORITY :: (C) diplomat : tact
Explanation: The word pair is based on the relationship between two
different concepts. A despot is a ruler with absolute power, while
authority refers to the power to give orders and make decisions.
Similarly, a diplomat is a representative who uses tact to maintain good
relations between nations.

2.DEBILITATE : VITALITY :: (B) lessen : diminution

Explanation: Debilitate means to weaken or cause to become weak,
while vitality refers to the state of being strong and active. Similarly,
lessen means to make something smaller or reduce it, while diminution
refers to a decrease or reduction in something.

3.ALOOF : INDIFFERENT :: (A) warm : cold

Explanation: Aloof means distant or detached, while indifferent means
lacking interest or concern. Similarly, warm means friendly or
affectionate, while cold means distant or unfriendly.

4.INSIPID : TASTELESS :: (E) insolent : rude

Explanation: Insipid means lacking flavor or interest, while tasteless
means lacking flavor or taste. Similarly, insolent means disrespectful or
impudent, while rude means impolite or disrespectful.

10 Compiled By: SHIMUL BHATTACHARJEE, Assistant Director, Bangladesh Bank

5.GROVEL : HUMILIATION :: (E) crawl : servility
Explanation: Grovel means to show excessive respect or submission,
often out of fear or humiliation, while humiliation refers to the state of
being humiliated or made to feel ashamed. Similarly, crawl means to
move on hands and knees or show excessive submission, while servility
refers to the state of being submissive or overly obedient.

6.TACIT : WORDS :: (D) implicit : explicit

Explanation: Tacit means understood without being expressed or
spoken, while words refer to spoken or written language. Similarly,
implicit means implied or understood without being directly expressed,
while explicit means stated clearly and directly.

7.GULLIBLE : PERSUASION :: (A) fatuous : enlightenment

Explanation: Gullible means easily deceived or duped, while persuasion
refers to the act of convincing someone to do or believe something.
Similarly, fatuous means silly or foolish, while enlightenment refers to
the state of being informed or knowledgeable.

8.GAUDY : TASTE :: (A) loud : color

Explanation: Gaudy means showy or excessively bright, while taste
refers to the sense of what is aesthetically pleasing. Similarly, loud
means having a high volume or being excessively prominent, while
color refers to the visual perception of different wavelengths of light.

11 Compiled By: SHIMUL BHATTACHARJEE, Assistant Director, Bangladesh Bank

9.PROXY : REPRESENTATION :: (E) inheritance : possession
Explanation: Proxy means a person authorized to act on behalf of
another, while representation refers to the act of representing or speaking
on behalf of someone else. Similarly, inheritance means the act of
receiving property or rights from someone who has died, while
possession refers to the state of having or owning something.

10.APPREHENSION : DREAD :: (B) annoyance : anger

Explanation: Apprehension means anxiety or fear about something that
may happen, while dread refers to a feeling of fear or apprehension.
Similarly, annoyance means a feeling of irritation or frustration, while
anger refers to a strong feeling of displeasure or hostility.

11.COLLOQUIAL : LITERARY :: (C) commonplace : rare

Explanation: Colloquial means informal or conversational, while literary
refers to the use of language for artistic or intellectual purposes.
Similarly, commonplace means ordinary or unremarkable, while rare
means uncommon or unusual.

12.MENDICANT : BEGGING :: (B) militant : protesting

Explanation: Mendicant refers to a beggar or one who lives by begging,
while begging refers to the act of asking for money or other items.
Similarly, militant means aggressive or combative, while protesting

12 Compiled By: SHIMUL BHATTACHARJEE, Assistant Director, Bangladesh Bank

13 Compiled By: SHIMUL BHATTACHARJEE, Assistant Director, Bangladesh Bank