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Introduction to Analogies. “Genius is the capacity to see ten things where the ordinary man sees one.” – Erza Pound. What is an analogy?. An analogy is a type of word problem that consists of two word pairs.
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Introduction to Analogies “Genius is the capacity to see ten things where the ordinary man sees one.” – Erza Pound
What is an analogy? • An analogy is a type of word problem that consists of two word pairs. • To solve the analogy you must find a word that correctly completes the second pair. • At first glance, the words in an analogy may seem to have nothing to do with each other, but the words are always logically related. • The first pair of words has a relationship similar to the second pair of words. • To solve the analogy, you need to figure out that relationship. • There are different relationship patterns.
Analogies • Analogies develop logic. • Analyze two words and identify the relationship between them. • Find another pair of words that has the same relationship.
Analogy Example Example: GRACEFUL : CLUMSY :: HOT : _______ • Read the analogy like this: Graceful is to clumsy as hot is to ‘blank.’ • Then ask yourself: What's the relationship between graceful and clumsy? These words have opposite meanings – they are antonyms – so the second pair of words must also be antonyms. • Fill in the blank with a word that means the opposite of hot, and you’ve solved the analogy. The best answer is COLD.
Types of Analogies • What’s the relationship? • DRY : ARID :: lost : mislaid • Both words have similar meanings so this relationship is a synonym
Types of Analogies • What’s the relationship? • KIND : CRUEL :: happy : sad • Both words have opposite meanings, so their relationship is an antonym.
Types of Analogies • What’s the relationship? • CHAPTER : BOOK :: fender : automobile • A chapter is a part of a book just as a fender is a part of an automobile. • Part and Whole • What happens if you switch book and chapterin this analogy? • BOOK : CHAPTER :: fender : automobile • Invalid analogy
Part and Whole continued • What’s the relationship? • POEM : STANZA :: play : acts • It’s still Part and Whole, but this time the whole comes first. We could call it Whole and Part.
Types of Analogies • What’s the relationship? • MIRROR : SMOOTH :: sandpaper : rough • Mirrors are characteristicallysmooth just as sandpaper is characteristicallyrough. • Characteristic/Quality
Types of Analogies • What’s the relationship? • POLKA : DANCE :: frog : amphibian BIRD : CARDINAL :: house : igloo • A polka may be classified as a dance; a cardinal is classified as a bird. • Classification
Types of Analogies • What’s the relationship? • GIFT : JOY :: rain : flood TEARS : SADNESS :: smiles : joy • A gift can causejoy; tears are an effect of sadness. • Cause and Effect
Types of Analogies • What’s the relationship? • KNIFE : CUT :: shovel : dig • The function of a knife is to cut. • Function
Types of Analogies • What’s the relationship? • FISH : SEA :: moose : forest • A fish can be found in the sea, just as a moose can be found in a forest. • Location
Types of Analogies • What’s the relationship? • CHUCKLE : LAUGH :: whimper : cry • These words differ in degree. One is more intense than the other. • Degree
Types of Analogies • What’s the relationship? • CASHIER : CASH :: plumber : pipe • A cashier works with cash, just as a plumber works with pipes. • Performer and a related object
Types of Analogies • What’s the relationship? • AUTHOR : WRITE :: chef : cook • You expect an author to write, just as you expect a chef to cook. • Performer and a related action
Types of Analogies • What’s the relationship? • BOIL : EGG :: throw : ball • You boil an egg, just as you throw a ball. (In these items, the object always receives the action.) • Action and a related object
Tip #1 • Make sure you are considering the words in terms of their definition. Don’t add extra “baggage” to the question. • Example: Monster : scary • By DEFINITION a monster is scary. Do not think to yourself, “Well, not every monster is scary.” Just consider the definitions of words and the relationships between them.
Tip #2 • Many of the analogy questions can be answered without the knowledge of the words. • Example: Word 1: Word 2 • Up: down (antonyms) • Cold: hot (antonyms) • Register: cash (degree) • Polite: rude (antonyms) • Friendly: hostile (antonyms