Analogy: Reasoning Ability Notes for Haryana Police Sub-Inspector (SI)

📚 Study Notes – Reasoning Ability: Analogy

(For Haryana Police Sub‑Inspector (SI) Exam – Reasoning Ability – Reasoning Section)

1. Simple Explanation

An analogy is a logical relationship that compares two pairs of words or concepts, showing how the relation in the first pair is similar to the relation in the second pair.
In exams, you will be given a pair of words (e.g., BOOK : READ) and four options. Your task is to pick the option that has the exact same type of relationship with the second word.

2. Key Points to Remember

#	Key Point	Why It Matters
1	Common Types of Analogy Relationships	Helps you quickly identify the pattern.
2	Categorise the Options	Use a “grid” method to eliminate options that don’t fit the pattern.
3	Look for “Opposites” & “Synonyms”	Many analogies involve antonyms or synonyms.
4	Check for “Part‑Whole”, “Cause‑Effect”, “Function”	These are frequent in reasoning tests.
5	Use “Backward Reasoning”	Sometimes it’s easier to start from the options and see which one can lead to the given pair.
6	Time Management	Spend ~10–12 seconds on each analogy; skip if stuck and return.
7	Practice with Sample Questions	Build pattern recognition through repetition.

3. Types of Analogy Relationships

Type	Example	Explanation
Synonym	`CHEER : HAPPINESS`	Both mean “good mood”.
Antonym	`COLD : HOT`	Direct opposites.
Part‑Whole	`WHEEL : CAR`	Wheel is a part of a car.
Whole‑Part	`LEAF : TREE`	Tree contains leaves.
Cause‑Effect	`RAIN : FLOOD`	Rain leads to flood.
Function / Use	`BRAIN : THINKING`	Brain is used for thinking.
Process‑Result	`SMOKE : HEAT`	Smoke results from heat.
Tool‑Use	`SWORD : FIGHT`	Sword is a tool for fighting.
Time‑Event	`MORNING : SUNRISE`	Morning’s event is sunrise.
Location‑Object	`ROOF : HOUSE`	Roof is part of a house’s location.

4. Step‑by‑Step Procedure

Identify the relation in the given pair (A : B).
Example: BOOK : READ → Object that is used to (function).
Write it down in a short phrase (e.g., “used for”).
Look through options and note the relation in each pair.
Match the relations – pick the option with the identical relation.
Double‑check by substituting the words back.

5. Worked Example

Question

HERON : WING

Options
A. BIRD : FEATHER
B. WING : FLIGHT
C. BIRD : FLIGHT
D. FEATHER : BIRD

Step‑by‑Step

Step	What to Do	Result
1	Identify relation in `HERON : WING`	A part of the heron is a wing.
2	Write relation: “part of”.
3	Examine options:
	A. BIRD : FEATHER → feather is a part of a bird.
	B. WING : FLIGHT → wing causes flight.
	C. BIRD : FLIGHT → bird is the subject of flight.
	D. FEATHER : BIRD → feather is a part of bird? Actually feather is part of bird, but relation is same as A.
4	Choose the option that matches “part of”. Both A and D look similar.
	Check wording: “FEATHER : BIRD” reads as feather is part of bird – correct.
	A is reversed: “BIRD : FEATHER” reads as bird is part of feather – incorrect.
5	Final answer: D. FEATHER : BIRD	✔️

Quick Recap

Identify the relation (part‑whole).
Match the same relation in options.
Pay attention to word order.

6. Quick Revision Summary

Topic	Quick Tips
Synonym	Look for words that mean the same.
Antonym	Look for direct opposites.
Part‑Whole	“Part of” vs “Whole of”.
Cause‑Effect	Think of cause → effect.
Function/Use	Tool → what it does.
Process‑Result	Process → outcome.
Location‑Object	Where is the object located?
Time‑Event	Time → event specific to that time.
Common Traps	Word order matters; “BIRD : FEATHER” vs “FEATHER : BIRD”.
Time Management	10‑12 seconds per analogy; skip if stuck.
Practice	Do 20–30 analogies daily; review mistakes.

7. Practice Set (Try Before Checking Answers)

CANDLE : LIGHT
POTATO : STARCH
SCALPEL : SURGERY
MOUTH : TALK
FISH : WATER

(Write down the pair’s relation and pick the correct option from the following choices)

Option	1	2	3	4
a	LIGHT : CANDLE	STARCH : POTATO	SURGERY : SCALPEL	TALK : MOUTH
b	CANDLE : LIGHT	POTATO : STARCH	SCALPEL : SURGERY	MOUTH : TALK