Reasoning Ability – Analogy
(Lakshadweep Police Sub‑Inspector – SI – Exam)
1. Introduction
Analogy is a reasoning exercise that tests your ability to see relationships between items (words, symbols, or pictures).
In the exam you will be given a pair (A : B) and asked to choose the word (or picture) that has the same relationship with C from the four options.
2. Simple Explanation
| Term | What it Means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Analogy | A comparison that shows a similarity between two pairs of items. | “Bird : Wing :: Fish : Fin” |
| Relation | The underlying rule that links the first pair. | Bird uses its wing to fly – Fish uses its fin to swim (function/part‑of). |
The test checks if you can
- Identify the rule linking the first pair.
- Apply that rule to the second pair.
3. Types of Analogies
| Type | What You See | Typical Relation |
|---|---|---|
| Word Analogies (most common) | Two words | Synonym, antonym, cause‑effect, function, part‑whole, etc. |
| Symbol Analogies | Letters, numbers, or symbols | Sequence, pattern, mathematical relation |
| Picture Analogies | Small figures or shapes | Direction, motion, growth, symmetry |
4. Key Points & Tips
| # | Tip | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read the pair carefully. | Small words can change meaning (e.g., “bat” vs. “bat‑man”). |
| 2 | Classify the relation first. | Common categories: synonym, antonym, part‑whole, cause‑effect, function, sequence, opposite, similarity. |
| 3 | Look for patterns. | In word analogies, check prefixes/suffixes, root meanings, or word families. |
| 4 | Use elimination. | If a relation is clear for the first pair, most options will not fit for the second pair. |
| 5 | Check for “reverse” relations. | Sometimes the relation is inverted (e.g., “man : woman” → “king : queen” is opposite). |
| 6 | Picture analogies: focus on transformation. | Identify changes in rotation, mirroring, scaling, or movement. |
| 7 | Time management. | Give 30 sec for a hard analogy; move on if stuck to avoid wasting time. |
5. Worked Example
Question
Cat : Kitten :: Dog : ___
A. Puppy B. Doggo C. Puppy‑dog D. Wolf
Answer: A. Puppy
Step‑by‑Step Reasoning
| Step | Action | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identify relation between Cat and Kitten | “Kitten” is a young cat. The relation is “young of”. |
| 2 | Apply the same relation to Dog | We need the young form of a dog. |
| 3 | Check options | Puppy is the young dog; others don’t fit. |
| 4 | Select A. Puppy | Correct answer. |
Quick Check
- Doggo is slang but not standard.
- Puppy‑dog is a typo.
- Wolf is unrelated.
6. Quick Revision Summary
| Topic | Take‑away |
|---|---|
| Definition | Analogy = similarity between two pairs. |
| Common Relations | Synonym, antonym, part‑whole, cause‑effect, function, sequence, similarity, reverse. |
| Strategy | 1) Identify relation. 2) Apply to second pair. 3) Eliminate wrong options. |
| Word Tips | Check prefixes/suffixes, root meaning, word families. |
| Picture Tips | Look for rotation, mirroring, scaling, motion, or growth. |
| Time | 30 s for a difficult analogy; otherwise, quickly pick the best fit. |
| Practice | Do at least 20 analogy questions per week; review mistakes. |
Quick Practice Question
Book : Cover :: Plate : ___
A. Edge B. Base C. Handle D. Tine
Answer: B. Base
Rationale: A plate’s part is its base (the surface).
Use the above framework to solve similar problems efficiently. Good luck with your preparation!