Study Notes – Reasoning Ability
Topic: Analogy
For the Mizoram Police Sub‑Inspector (SI) Examination
1. What is an Analogy?
An analogy is a comparison between two pairs of words (or concepts) that have a similar relationship.
It is usually expressed as:
A : B :: C : D
Meaning: “A is to B as C is to D.”
The key is the relationship, not the words themselves.
2. Types of Analogies
| # | Type | Typical Relationship | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Synonym | Both words mean the same | Happy : Joyful :: Sad : | Sad is to Sorrowful |
| 2 | Antonym | Opposite meanings | Rise : Fall :: Increase : | Decrease |
| 3 | Cause‑Effect | One causes the other | Fire : Smoke :: Heat : | Steam |
| 4 | Part‑Whole | One is part of the other | Wheel : Car :: Wing : | Bird |
| 5 | Function | One performs a function for the other | Pen : Write :: Brush : | Paint |
| 6 | Material | One is made of the other | Wood : Table :: Iron : | Chair |
| 7 | Property | One has a property of the other | Cold : Ice :: Warm : | Water |
| 8 | Sequential | One follows the other in a sequence | Monday : Tuesday :: Friday : | Saturday |
| 9 | Similar Situation | Two similar contexts | Teacher : Classroom :: Judge : | Court |
| 10 | Progressive | One is a higher form of the other | Bird : Sparrow :: Mammal : | Dog |
Tip: 90 % of exam analogies fall into the above categories.
3. Systematic Approach to Solve Analogies
| Step | Action | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify the pair (A : B) | Write down the two words and note any obvious relation. | Provides the template for the second pair. |
| 2. List possible relationships | Consider synonyms, antonyms, cause‑effect, part‑whole, etc. | Gives you a pool of patterns to match. |
| 3. Test each relationship | For each pattern, think of a word C that could fit. | Narrow down the candidates. |
| 4. Verify the relationship for C | Ensure C and D share the same pattern as A and B. | Eliminates false leads. |
| 5. Confirm uniqueness | If multiple words fit, check for the best match (most logical, common usage). | Exams often have a single most appropriate answer. |
| 6. Double‑check direction | Remember that analogies are directional: A is to B as C is to D, not vice‑versa. | Prevents swapping the wrong pair. |
Common Pitfall: Assuming “reverse” relationships (e.g., A is to B as D is to C).
Always keep the order as given unless the question explicitly asks for the reverse.
4. Deriving the Relationship Function
Mathematically, think of an analogy as a function f:
f(A) = B
f(C) = D
The goal is to deduce f from the first pair and apply it to the second pair.
In practice, f is a linguistic mapping (synonym, antonym, etc.), not a numeric function.
5. Tricky Points & How to Avoid Them
| Issue | What It Looks Like | How to Spot It | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homonym ambiguity | “Bank” (riverbank vs. financial bank) | If the pair uses a word with multiple meanings, consider both. | Check context clues in the other words. |
| Multiple viable answers | “Coast : Shore” vs “Coast : Beach” | Often, only one option is common or exactly the relationship. | Prefer the most precise match. |
| Reverse Direction | “Dog : Bark :: Cat :” | The second pair could be reversed. | Remember the rule: A is to B as C is to D. |
| Synonym vs. Antonym | “Rich : Poor :: Happy :” | Could be reversed too. | Examine the meaning of the first pair. |
| Inconsistent Part‑Whole | “Leaf : Tree :: Blade :” | Blade can be part of a sword or a grass blade. | Check the most common association. |
| Contextual Cues | “Sculptor : Clay :: Chef :” | The relationship might be material (clay → sculpture). | Identify the process or material involved. |