Assam TET – Reasoning Ability
Topic: Analogy
Analogy is a comparison between two pairs of words or ideas that have a similar relationship.
In TET, you’ll mostly encounter A : B :: C : D (A is to B as C is to D) questions.
1. Simple Explanation
| Analogy | Illustration | What to Look For? |
|---|---|---|
| A : B :: C : D | Water is to H₂O as Carbon is to C₆O₆ | Relationship between A & B must be the same as between C & D |
- Relationship could be a synonym, antonym, part‑whole, cause‑effect, function, similarity, difference, etc.
- The task: Identify the relationship in the first pair, then find the word in the second pair that has the same relationship.
2. Key Points to Remember
| # | Point | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identify the relationship first | Mistaking the relation leads to wrong options |
| 2 | Common relationship types | |
| • Synonym / Antonym | e.g., Happy : Joyful | |
| • Part‑Whole | e.g., Leaf : Tree | |
| • Function / Use | e.g., Pen : Write | |
| • Cause‑Effect | e.g., Rain : Flood | |
| • Sequence / Order | e.g., First : Second | |
| • Condition‑Result | e.g., If : Then | |
| 3 | Check all options | Even if one seems right, another might fit better |
| 4 | Avoid “quick‑guess” | Always confirm the relationship |
| 5 | Practice with real‑world analogies | Helps internalize patterns |
3. Problem‑Solving Strategies
- Read Carefully – Write the pair on paper if needed.
- List the Relationship – Synonym, antonym, etc.
- Apply to the Third Word – Think of words that could fill the blank.
- Cross‑Check with Options – The correct option must preserve the original relationship.
- Eliminate Wrong Options – Remove any that violate the relationship.
- Choose the Best Fit – If more than one fits, look for the most natural or commonly used pair.
4. Worked Example
Question:
MAN : WOMAN :: KING : ?
Options:
A) Prince B) Queen C) Ruler D) King
Step‑by‑Step
| Step | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identify relationship: MAN is to WOMAN – they are male to female (gender). | Relationship = gender (male ↔ female) |
| 2 | Apply to KING: KING is a male title. | So the counterpart should be a female title. |
| 3 | Check options: |
- Prince (male) – wrong
- Queen (female) – matches gender relationship
- Ruler (gender neutral) – does not specify female | Only Queen satisfies the same relationship. | | 4 | Answer: B) Queen |
5. Quick Revision Summary
| Concept | Quick Note |
|---|---|
| Definition | A comparison of two word pairs with the same relationship. |
| Typical Relations | Synonym, Antonym, Part‑Whole, Function, Cause‑Effect, Sequence, Condition‑Result. |
| Solve in 4 Steps | 1) Identify relation; 2) Apply to new pair; 3) Cross‑check options; 4) Pick best fit. |
| Common Mistake | Confusing relation (e.g., thinking man ↔ woman is age instead of gender). |
| Practice Tip | Write 5 pairs of your own and swap partners to build intuition. |
6. Mini‑Practice Set
| # | Question | Options | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BOOK : PAGE :: TREE : ? |
A) Stem B) Branch C) Leaf D) Root | C) Leaf (part‑whole) |
| 2 | BIRD : FEATHER :: HUMAN : ? |
A) Hair B) Hand C) Eye D) Mouth | A) Hair (part‑whole) |
| 3 | COLD : HEAT :: DAY : ? |
A) Night B) Dawn C) Noon D) Midnight | A) Night (opposite) |
| 4 | RUN : WALK :: SWIM : ? |
A) Crawl B) Jump C) Float D) Duck | C) Float (similar activity) |
| 5 | YELLOW : SUN :: BLUE : ? |
A) Moon B) Sky C) Ocean D) Cloud | B) Sky (color association) |
Tip: After solving, try to explain why each option is wrong to reinforce learning.
Final Thought
Analogies test your ability to see relationships rather than literal meanings. Mastering them improves overall verbal reasoning, which is essential for the Assam TET Reasoning Ability section. Keep practicing diverse pairs, and you’ll solve them with confidence and speed. Happy studying!