📚 Odisha Police Constable – Reasoning Ability
Topic: Analogy
Analogy is a reasoning skill that tests your ability to find a relationship between two pairs of words (or figures, situations, etc.) and then use that relationship to solve a similar problem.
1️⃣ Simple Explanation
-
Analogy Question
- Format:
A : B :: C : ? - Goal: Find the word (or answer) that has the same relationship to C as B has to A.
- Format:
-
Key Idea
- Identify the relationship between the first pair.
- Apply the same relationship to the second pair to determine the missing element.
2️⃣ Types of Analogies
| Type | Example | Typical Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| Synonym / Antonym | Happy : Sad :: Good : ? |
Opposite/Similar |
| Part‑Whole | Wheel : Car :: Eye : ? |
Component of a whole |
| Function / Purpose | Pen : Write :: Fork : ? |
Tool used for a function |
| Attribute / Qualifier | Soft : Rug :: Hard : ? |
Descriptive property |
| Result / Outcome | Rain : Wet :: Snow : ? |
Consequence |
| Sequence / Order | One : First :: Two : ? |
Numerical order |
| Species / Class | Dog : Mammal :: Sparrow : ? |
Biological classification |
| Cause / Effect | Fire : Burn :: Disease : ? |
Cause/Effect |
Tip: Most exam analogies are a mix of the above. The relationship is usually one of them, not a combination.
3️⃣ How to Solve Analogy Questions – Step‑by‑Step
-
Read Carefully
- Write down or mentally note the two words of the first pair.
-
Identify the Relationship
- Ask yourself: “What is the connection between A and B?”
- Consider the types listed above.
-
Apply the Relationship
- Take the second word (C) and think: “What would be to C the same as B is to A?”
-
Check All Options
- If multiple choice, eliminate those that don’t fit the identified relationship.
-
Confirm
- Verify that the chosen answer maintains the original relationship.
4️⃣ Key Points to Remember
| # | Key Point | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Look for one clear relationship | Avoids confusion between multiple possible links. |
| 2 | Use the process of elimination | Saves time; quickly discard wrong options. |
| 3 | Familiarize with common patterns | E.g., synonym/antonym, part‑whole, function. |
| 4 | Practice with diverse examples | Builds speed and accuracy. |
| 5 | Time Management | 60‑70% of analogy problems can be solved in 20–30 seconds. |
5️⃣ Worked Example
Question
BOOK : Read :: PENCIL : ?
Step‑by‑Step Solution
-
Identify the relationship between BOOK and READ.
- A book is something one reads.
- Relationship: object → action performed on it.
-
Apply the same relationship to the second pair.
- OBJECT = PENCIL.
- What action is performed on a pencil?
- We write with a pencil.
-
Answer
BOOK : Read :: PENCIL : Write
Answer: Write
6️⃣ Quick Revision Summary
| Concept | What to Remember |
|---|---|
| Definition | Analogy tests the same relationship between two pairs. |
| Common Types | Synonym/Antonym, Part‑Whole, Function, Attribute, Result, Sequence, Species, Cause/Effect. |
| Solve in 3 Steps | 1️⃣ Identify relationship 2️⃣ Apply it 3️⃣ Verify. |
| Avoid | Looking for multiple relationships; guessing without analysis. |
| Practice Tip | Create your own analogies and test yourself in 10‑minute sessions. |
Final Thought: Analogies are all about patterns. Once you can spot a pattern in one pair, you can almost instantly spot it in the other. Keep practicing, and the speed will follow!