📚 Analogy – Reasoning Ability (LIC ADO)
Analogy questions test your ability to spot relationships between two items and then apply the same relationship to a new pair.
They are common in competitive exams, aptitude tests and job‑preparation tests like LIC ADO.
1️⃣ Simple Explanation
| Term | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Analogy | A comparison that shows how two things are related in the same way. | Dog : Bark :: Cat : Meow |
| Relation | The logical connection between the two words in a pair. | Animal → Sound |
| Answer Pair | A new pair that follows the same relation as the given pair. | Cat : Meow |
In a test, you’re given two words (e.g., A : B).
You have to pick the correct pair (C : D) that keeps the same relationship.
2️⃣ Key Points to Remember
| # | Point | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identify the relationship first – Look for synonyms, antonyms, categories, functions, cause‑effect, part‑whole, etc. | Mis‑identifying the relation leads to wrong answers. |
| 2 | Common relation types | Synonym (hot : warm), Antonym (hot : cold), Part‑Whole (wheel : car), Function (pen : write), Cause‑Effect (fire : smoke), Abbreviation (Dr. : Doctor), Similar to (moon : planet). |
| 3 | Eliminate clearly wrong options – Quick “yes/no” checks. | Saves time and reduces guesswork. |
| 4 | Look for the “bridge” word – The middle word that connects the pairs. | Example: The bridge connects the two sides. |
| 5 | Beware of “trick” answers – They may share a relation but not the exact type or direction. | e.g., “bird : feather” vs “bird : wing” – both are part‑whole, but only one matches the given direction. |
3️⃣ Worked Example
Question
A : B :: C : D
Given pair: Mouth : Talk
Options
- Brain : Learn
- Ear : Hear
- Hand : Write
- Eye : Blink
Step‑by‑Step Solution
| Step | Action | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identify the relation in Mouth : Talk | Mouth produces talk. |
| 2 | Think of a similar “source‑output” pair | We need a body part that “produces” an action. |
| 3 | Evaluate options: | |
| 1. Brain : Learn | Brain causes learning, but not a direct “output” like talk. | |
| 2. Ear : Hear | Ear receives sound, not produces it. | |
| 3. Hand : Write | Hand produces writing. | |
| 4. Eye : Blink | Eye produces blinking (but blinking is an action of the eye itself). | |
| 4 | Pick the best match | Hand : Write – Hand creates writing, analogous to Mouth creates talk. |
| Answer | 3 | Hand : Write |
4️⃣ Quick Revision Summary
| Topic | Take‑away |
|---|---|
| What is an Analogy? | A comparison showing the same relationship between two pairs. |
| Common Relations | Synonym, Antonym, Part‑Whole, Function, Cause‑Effect, etc. |
| Solve in 3 Steps | 1. Find the relation in the given pair. 2. Match the same relation with a new pair. 3. Eliminate wrong options. |
| Tips | • Look for the “bridge” word. • Eliminate obviously wrong options first. • Watch out for trick answers. |
| Practice Idea | Write your own analogy pairs and quiz a friend. |
Practice Question (Try before checking the answer)
A : B :: C : D
Given pair: Sun : Light
Options
- Moon : Shadow
- Star : Heat
- Light : Dark
- Earth : Gravity
Answer: Star : Heat (both produce a natural effect).
Happy practicing! Remember, the key is to spot the relationship, not just the words. Good luck with your LIC ADO preparation!