Question 1

Microphone is to loud as microscope is to which of the following actions or effects.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This analogy is based on the function of instruments. A microphone is connected with sound and loudness, while a microscope is connected with vision and the size of what we see. The question asks which verb describes what a microscope does, in the same way that loud describes the effect a microphone helps produce. Understanding the functions of common devices is essential for solving such questions. Given Data / Assumptions: First pair: Microphone : loud. A microphone amplifies sound so that it can be heard loudly. Second item: Microscope : ? Options: Investigate, Magnify, Examine, Elongate. We consider the primary effect or action associated with a microscope. Concept / Approach: Microphone is an instrument that makes sound louder; its main function is amplification. Therefore, loud is the result it helps to achieve. A microscope is an instrument that makes very small objects appear larger and clearer to the eye. The technical term for this action is magnify. Investigate and examine are activities performed by scientists or observers using a microscope, but they are not the direct optical effect. Elongate means to make something longer, which is not specifically what a microscope does. So the best parallel is microscope : magnify. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Describe the first pair in a sentence. A microphone is used to make sound loud. Step 2: Ask what a microscope is used for in a similar way. The answer is that it makes tiny things look bigger. Step 3: Identify the verb that means make larger in appearance, which is magnify. Step 4: Compare magnify with investigate, examine and elongate and note which one refers to an actual optical effect. Step 5: Conclude that magnify best mirrors the relationship between device and result. Verification / Alternative check: We can rephrase both pairs in parallel sentences. “A microphone makes sound loud” and “A microscope magnifies objects.” These two sentences show a clear and consistent relationship: instrument and effect. If we tried to fit investigate instead, we would say “A microscope investigates objects,” which is not accurate; people investigate, not instruments by themselves. “A microscope examines objects” is closer but still describes what a user does rather than the optical process. “A microscope elongates objects” is simply incorrect. Therefore magnify is the only choice that truly matches the pattern. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Investigate: Refers to a human activity of inquiry; a microscope is a tool in that process but does not investigate on its own. Examine: Also a user action; scientists examine samples using a microscope but the instrument itself magnifies. Elongate: Means to make longer in one dimension, which is not the specific function of a microscope. Common Pitfalls: Candidates often pick examine because it sounds like what happens in a laboratory. However, analogy questions usually look for the precise functional relationship, not just any associated action. Always focus on what the instrument physically does. With microphone, that is amplification of sound; with microscope, that is magnification of small objects. Final Answer: The correct completion is Microscope : Magnify, giving the analogy Microphone : loud :: Microscope : magnify.

Question 2

Artist is to painting as senator is to which of the following in this relationship question.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This analogy explores the relationship between a person and the primary product or output of that person’s professional work. An artist creates paintings, so we must decide what a senator, in a political context, primarily creates or contributes to. The question tests understanding of roles in government and the correct pairing of profession with output. Given Data / Assumptions: First pair: Artist : painting. An artist is someone who produces artworks, often in the form of paintings. Second pair: Senator : ? Options: politician, constituents, attorney, law. We assume a senator is a member of a legislative body, such as a senate. Concept / Approach: The link Artist : painting is “professional person is to primary work product.” A senator is a type of politician whose main formal role is to debate, draft and vote on laws. Therefore, the correct product linked with a senator is law. Politician describes the general category to which senator belongs, similar to how “painter” would describe an artist, not the product. Constituents are people represented by the senator, and attorney is a completely different profession. Only law fits as the equivalent of painting in the analogy. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Express the first pair as a sentence: An artist creates a painting. Step 2: Look for a completion that allows a similar sentence: A senator creates or works on blank. Step 3: Consider the role of senators in a legislature. They debate and pass laws. Step 4: Evaluate the options. Politician is the type of person, not the output. Constituents are the people they represent. Attorney is another job. Step 5: Recognise that law is the direct object of legislative work, matching the role of painting for an artist. Verification / Alternative check: We can test the match by making parallel phrases: “Works of an artist are paintings” and “Works of a senator are laws.” These sound logical and show a similar relationship between person and result. If we try to pair senator with politician, we get “An artist is to painting as senator is to politician,” which changes from person to product in the first pair to person to category in the second pair, breaking the analogy. The options constituents and attorney also fail because they are people, not outputs or creations. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Politician: Names the general class of person that includes senators but does not represent what senators produce. Constituents: These are the people a senator represents, not the product of the senator’s work. Attorney: A different profession that does legal work, unrelated to the question’s structure. Common Pitfalls: Many candidates choose politician because they see both words as related to politics. However, analogy problems demand that the second pair mirror the type of relationship, not merely share a topic. The first pair is not “artist : artist” but “artist : painting,” which is creator and creation. To answer correctly, think about the senator’s main formal output in a legislature, which is law making. Final Answer: The correct completion is Senator : law, so the analogy reads Artist : painting :: Senator : law.

Question 3

Better is to worst as slower is to which of the following degrees of speed.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This analogy question combines ideas of comparative and superlative degrees with opposite meanings. The pair Better : worst places a comparative form of one quality alongside a superlative that represents the extreme of the opposite quality. We must select the option that gives a similar contrast in the context of speed when paired with slower. Given Data / Assumptions: First pair: Better : worst. Better is the comparative form of good. Worst is the superlative form of bad and represents an extreme negative quality. Second pair: Slower : ? Options: quickest, good, best, fast. Concept / Approach: In the first pair, the words are not just degrees of the same adjective. Better is one step above good, but worst belongs to the opposite scale of bad and is its extreme. So the relationship can be understood as “comparative degree in one direction is contrasted with extreme degree in the opposite direction.” To mirror this for speed, we consider slower as a comparative degree meaning less fast. The opposite direction is more fast, and the extreme in that direction is quickest. Thus, slower represents a relatively low degree of speed and quickest represents the highest possible degree on the opposite side. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Analyse Better : worst. Better corresponds to good, while worst corresponds to bad, an opposite quality. Step 2: Note that worst is the superlative of bad, representing maximum negative quality. Step 3: For speed, slower is a comparative form of slow, indicating reduced speed. Step 4: The opposite of slow is fast or quick, and the extreme positive degree is quickest. Step 5: Therefore, slower, on one side of the scale, contrasts with quickest, on the extreme opposite side, mirroring the pattern. Verification / Alternative check: Compare the pairs with simple scales. On the quality scale we move from bad to worst on the negative side and from good to better and then to best on the positive side. The first pair mixes sides by putting better on the positive side and worst on the extreme negative side. For speed, the scale runs from slow to slower on one side and fast to faster to fastest or quickest on the other. Matching slower with quickest reproduces that cross extreme effect. Choosing best would shift the analogy away from speed, and pairing slower with fast does not show the idea of contrast between comparative and extreme degrees. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Good: This is the positive base form of the quality, not a speed term, and does not match slower in the same dimension. Best: Superlative of good, again about quality, not speed. Fast: Opposite of slow, but not the extreme form; it is only the base degree. Common Pitfalls: Many candidates may find this question confusing because the first pair itself seems irregular. The trick is to see the pattern of crossing from a comparative form of one quality to the highest degree of an opposite quality. Once that structure is recognised, it becomes easier to see that slower should be paired with the most extreme opposite in speed, namely quickest, rather than with the simple base fast. Final Answer: The correct completion is Slower : quickest, giving the analogy Better : worst :: Slower : quickest.

Question 4

In the number analogy 381 is to 160 as 478 is to which of the following numbers.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is a numerical analogy that tests pattern recognition between pairs of numbers. We are given 381 : 160 and asked to find the corresponding number paired with 478. The key to such questions is to look for consistent arithmetic operations, such as addition, subtraction or multiplication, that link the first number to the second. Once the rule is found, we apply it to the new number to get the correct answer. Given Data / Assumptions: First numerical pair: 381 and 160. Second numerical pair: 478 and an unknown number from the options. Options: 347, 357, 247, 257. We assume a simple operation or fixed relationship applies to both pairs. Concept / Approach: A good starting point is to check the difference between numbers in the first pair. Calculate 381 minus 160, which is 221. If we suppose that the pattern is “subtract 221,” then the second pair should also differ by exactly 221, meaning 478 minus 221 should equal the unknown number. Computing this gives 478 minus 221 equals 257. We then check whether 257 appears among the options, which it does. This shows a consistent and simple arithmetic relationship working across both pairs. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Subtract 160 from 381 to find the difference: 381 - 160 = 221. Step 2: Assume that the pattern is “subtract 221” to move from the first to the second number. Step 3: Apply this assumed rule to the second left hand number 478. Step 4: Compute 478 - 221 = 257. Step 5: Confirm that 257 is present as an option and that no other simple rule fits the given data as nicely. Verification / Alternative check: We can test for alternative explanations, such as operations on digits, but they are less neat. For instance, trying to combine digit sums or products does not yield 160 from 381 in a straightforward way. The constant difference of 221 between the first pair and the same difference between 478 and 257 is a much more natural pattern for exam based analogies. Therefore, applying the same fixed subtraction gives a strong consistent rule. Because 478 - 257 is also 221, the relationship 381 : 160 :: 478 : 257 holds in both directions. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 347: 478 - 347 = 131, which does not match the difference of 221. 357: 478 - 357 = 121, again not consistent with the first pair difference. 247: 478 - 247 = 231, also different from 221, so it breaks the pattern. Common Pitfalls: Many students immediately focus on complex manipulations of digits instead of checking simple operations. Exam setters often prefer a single clear rule, such as a fixed difference or ratio, because it can be quickly applied. If a consistent subtraction or addition works neatly for the first pair, it is wise to test it on the second before trying more complicated ideas. This saves time and reduces confusion. Final Answer: The correct completion of the number analogy is 478 : 257, following the rule “subtract 221” used in the first pair.

Question 5

Play is to actor as concert is to which of the following in this analogy question.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This analogy draws on knowledge of performers and performances. A play is a dramatic performance, and an actor is the person who performs in it. We must find the term that stands in a similar relation to concert, which is a musical performance. The question tests understanding of roles in performing arts and the distinction between performer, instrument and piece of music. Given Data / Assumptions: First pair: Play : actor. A play is a theatrical work, and actors are the performers in that play. Second item: Concert : ? Options: Musician, percussion, symphony, piano. We assume ordinary meanings: concert is a live musical performance for an audience. Concept / Approach: The relationship is “performance type is to performer.” A play needs actors, and a concert needs musicians. Percussion is a section of instruments, symphony is a type of musical composition and piano is a specific instrument. Only musician represents the person who performs in a concert in the same way that an actor performs in a play. Therefore, musician is the parallel term completing the analogy. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Rephrase the first pair: A play is performed by an actor. Step 2: Recognise that a concert is also a performance, but of music instead of drama. Step 3: Ask who performs in a concert. The answer is musicians, who sing or play instruments. Step 4: Evaluate options. Percussion, symphony and piano are related to music but are not people. Step 5: Choose musician as the only option that names a performer. Verification / Alternative check: We can verify by constructing parallel sentences: “An actor performs in a play” and “A musician performs in a concert.” These are grammatically and logically parallel, clearly linking performance to performer. Attempting to substitute other options gives mismatched relationships. For example, “A concert is to percussion” relates performance to an instrument group, which does not mirror play to actor. Similarly, symphony is content, not the performer, and piano is a single instrument, not the person playing it. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Percussion: Refers to a family of musical instruments like drums and cymbals, not the human performer. Symphony: A large scale orchestral composition, which is a type of work performed in a concert, not the performer. Piano: A specific instrument, again not a person. It is something that musicians play. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates may confuse the type of performance with its content or instruments. A good strategy is to describe the relationship in the first pair clearly as “X is performed by Y” and then find a second pair that fits the same sentence structure. This approach quickly eliminates options that are objects or compositions instead of persons. Final Answer: The correct completion is Concert : Musician, giving the analogy Play : actor :: Concert : musician.

Question 6

Misogamy is to marriage as misogyny is to which of the following in this word meaning analogy.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests knowledge of difficult vocabulary, especially words formed from Greek roots. Misogamy and misogyny are closely related terms, but they refer to dislike or hatred of different things. By understanding the meanings of these words, we can complete the analogy correctly. Such questions are common in higher level verbal ability sections and help distinguish candidates with strong vocabulary skills. Given Data / Assumptions: Misogamy : marriage is the first pair. Misogamy means hatred of marriage or intense dislike of the institution of marriage. We are asked to complete Misogyny : ? Options: Husband, Relation, Women, Children. We assume standard dictionary meanings for these Greek derived terms. Concept / Approach: Both misogamy and misogyny begin with the prefix miso, which comes from Greek and means hatred of or intense dislike. The rest of the word indicates the target of that dislike. In misogamy, gamos means marriage, as in monogamy or polygamy. In misogyny, gyne refers to women. Therefore, misogyny means hatred of women. The analogy is “word that means hatred of X is to X.” Misogamy is to marriage as misogyny is to women. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Break down misogamy into miso plus gamos, giving hatred plus marriage, so the target is marriage. Step 2: Understand that the first pair shows a word and the thing it expresses hatred for. Step 3: Break down misogyny into miso plus gyne, giving hatred plus woman, so the target is women. Step 4: Compare options and find the one that names the target group, which is women. Step 5: Confirm that this gives a consistent relationship: Misogamy : marriage :: Misogyny : women. Verification / Alternative check: We can verify by consulting the meanings of similar Greek based words. Monogamy refers to marriage with one partner, polygamy to marriage with several partners, and bigamy to marriage with two partners. These patterns confirm that gamos is related to marriage. Similarly, gynae in terms like gynaecology refers to women, supporting the interpretation of misogyny as hatred of women. Husband, relation and children do not fit this pattern. Also, many exam guides specifically define misogyny as woman hating to help learners remember it. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Husband: Misogyny does not specifically mean hatred of husbands; that would be a much narrower idea. Relation: Too vague and not supported by the Greek root gyne. Children: Would relate to a different root entirely and does not match the established meaning of misogyny. Common Pitfalls: Because these words look similar, some students confuse misogamy and misogyny or guess based on partial memory. It is helpful to break them into parts systematically and connect them with other familiar words. Remembering that gamos relates to marriage and gyne to women allows you to decode many such terms instead of memorising each one separately. Final Answer: The correct completion is Misogyny : women, so the analogy reads Misogamy : marriage :: Misogyny : women.

Question 7

Race is to fatigue as fast is to which of the following effects in this cause and effect analogy.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This analogy uses cause and effect relationships. A race is a strenuous physical activity that often results in fatigue. We need to find a similar effect produced by a fast, where fast means a period of going without food for religious, medical or other reasons. Identifying the parallel effect completes the analogy correctly. Given Data / Assumptions: First pair: Race : fatigue. Racing causes physical tiredness or fatigue. Second pair: Fast : ? Options: Weakness, Hunger, Appetite, Food. We interpret fast as abstaining from eating. Concept / Approach: The relationship is “activity or condition is to its immediate result.” Running a race leads directly to fatigue. Similarly, not eating for a period leads directly to hunger. Weakness is also a possible longer term result of fasting, but the most immediate and direct effect is the feeling of hunger. Appetite is a general desire for food and can exist even without a fast, while food is what is absent during the fast. Hence, hunger is the best single word to describe the effect of fasting parallel to fatigue as the effect of racing. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Describe the first pair as a sentence: Taking part in a race causes fatigue. Step 2: Rephrase the second pair in the same way: Going on a fast causes blank. Step 3: Recognise that when people do not eat, they most strongly feel hungry. Step 4: Compare this with other potential results, such as weakness, and decide which is more immediate and universal. Step 5: Select hunger as the direct parallel to fatigue as the result of the respective activity. Verification / Alternative check: Consider the time sequence. During a race, even before it ends, people experience fatigue from exertion. During a fast, even before it has lasted very long, people experience hunger due to lack of food. Weakness usually develops over a longer period of extended fasting and may not be the first or most noticeable effect. Appetite is a general liking for food and not specifically caused by fasting. Food itself is the thing missing, not the effect. Therefore, the most precise and immediate effect that matches fatigue is hunger. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Weakness: Can result from long fasting, but it is not as immediate a response as hunger and does not mirror the directness of race causing fatigue. Appetite: Refers to desire for food, which may be present even when a person is not fasting. Food: This is what is consumed when not fasting and what is absent during the fast but is not an effect. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates may be tempted by weakness because it sounds negative like fatigue. However, it is important to match not just the emotional tone but the kind of relationship. Race leads directly to fatigue; fast leads directly to hunger. Checking which effects occur first and most universally during the condition helps avoid confusion in such cause and effect analogies. Final Answer: The correct completion is Fast : Hunger, so the analogy reads Race : fatigue :: Fast : hunger.

Question 8

Wan is to colour as which of the following pairs of adjective and related quality has a similar relationship.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This analogy focuses on adjectives that describe a particular quality of something. Wan is an adjective used to describe a lack of healthy colour, especially in the face or overall appearance. We must choose a pair where the adjective relates to the noun in a similar descriptive way. The question tests nuanced vocabulary and the ability to match subtle meaning relationships. Given Data / Assumptions: First pair: Wan : colour. Wan describes something that is pale, sickly or lacking in colour and brightness. Options for the second pair: Enigmatic : Puzzle, Pallid : Complexion, Insipid : Flavour, Copulent : Weight. We assume standard meanings and correct spellings, with copulent intended to suggest corpulent. Concept / Approach: The relationship Wan : colour can be understood as “adjective that describes a weakened or reduced state of the quality named by the noun.” Wan describes colour that is faint or unhealthy. We now look for an adjective that describes a similar weakened or reduced state of the quality mentioned in its pair. Pallid means pale or lacking a healthy complexion, and complexion refers to the natural colour and appearance of the skin on the face. This mirrors the way wan relates to colour. While Insipid : flavour also expresses a negative description, pallid plus complexion is closer in its focus on paleness and skin appearance, staying nearer to the idea of colour and its lack. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Interpret the first pair. Wan is an adjective that modifies colour, describing it as pale or washed out. Step 2: Identify in the options a pair where the adjective directly modifies the noun as a physical or sensory quality. Step 3: Pallid is an adjective meaning pale, especially describing skin or complexion, and complexion is the colour and texture of facial skin. Step 4: Compare this with Insipid : flavour. Insipid means lacking flavour, which is similar in form but refers to taste rather than visual colour. Step 5: Choose Pallid : complexion because it parallels both the sense of appearance and the idea of paleness that wan carries. Verification / Alternative check: We can try fitting each option into an explanatory sentence. “A wan colour” describes colour that looks pale and unhealthy. “A pallid complexion” describes facial colour that is pale and unhealthy, which is extremely close in meaning and structure. “An insipid flavour” describes food that lacks taste, which is a different sensory dimension. “An enigmatic puzzle” means a puzzle that is mysterious, while “copulent weight” is incorrect usage; corpulent describes a person, not weight itself. Thus, Pallid : complexion forms the best mirror to Wan : colour because both express paleness in visual appearance. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Enigmatic : Puzzle: Enigmatic means mysterious; while it can describe a puzzle, the relationship is not about reduction of a quality but about complexity. Insipid : Flavour: Although this pair shows adjective describing lack of taste, it concerns a different sense. It is acceptable but less parallel to wan and colour focused on paleness. Copulent : Weight: The adjective is incorrectly used; corpulent describes a person as very fat, not weight as a quality, so the pair is mismatched. Common Pitfalls: Candidates may be attracted to Insipid : flavour because insipid means lacking flavour, similar to colour that lacks brightness. However, the first pair deals specifically with visual paleness and the health of appearance, and pallid plus complexion matches that nuance more closely. Another trap is to ignore incorrect or awkward usage in pairs, such as copulent with weight, which would not be found in standard English. Paying attention to natural collocations helps avoid these errors. Final Answer: The best matching pair is Pallid : Complexion, which mirrors the way wan describes pale or unhealthy colour in the original analogy.

Question 9

In the analogy “Optimist is to cheerful as pessimist is to ____”, which word best completes the relationship between attitude and mood?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This verbal analogy question checks your understanding of personality traits and the typical emotional states associated with them. An optimist is a person who expects good outcomes and generally maintains a positive outlook. The word cheerful reflects this positive emotional state. In the same way, a pessimist tends to expect negative outcomes and usually has a darker, more negative mood. The task is to select the word that best reflects the emotional tone normally linked with pessimism. Given Data / Assumptions: The first pair is “optimist : cheerful”. The second pair is “pessimist : ____”. Options include various personality related adjectives. We assume standard dictionary meanings for all personality words. Concept / Approach: The relationship in the first pair is “type of person” to “typical emotional quality”. Optimists usually feel cheerful, hopeful, and positive. To mirror this, we must pair pessimist with the emotional state most commonly associated with negativity and low expectations. Among the options, gloomy most clearly expresses a sad, dark, or negative mood, which matches the outlook of a pessimist. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the meaning of optimist. An optimist expects good things and tends to see the brighter side of situations. Step 2: Check the second word in the first pair. Cheerful describes a happy, bright, and positive mood, which fits an optimist. Step 3: Define pessimist. A pessimist expects bad outcomes and focuses on possible failure or problems. Step 4: Look at the options and see which mood word matches a negative outlook. Gloomy describes a dark, depressed, or sad state. Step 5: Verify that gloomy is the most natural emotional counterpart for a pessimist compared with other options. Verification / Alternative check: Hopeful expresses expectation of good results, which contradicts pessimism. Helpful describes a cooperative or kind person, not specifically pessimistic or optimistic. Mean refers to being unkind rather than to expecting failure. Cheerful again reflects a positive, bright mood and belongs with optimism, not pessimism. Only gloomy consistently describes the low mood and negative expectations typical of a pessimist. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Hopeful and cheerful both suggest optimism and therefore are opposite in spirit to pessimism. Helpful talks about behaviour toward others, not about outlook on life. Mean is about cruelty, which is unrelated to the expectation of bad outcomes. None of these properly match the way pessimists usually feel. Gloomy alone captures the sad, negative state that mirrors cheerful in the original pair but on the opposite emotional side. Common Pitfalls: Some learners confuse pessimism with cruelty or rudeness and may choose mean. Others may guess randomly among negative sounding words without carefully matching the attitude to the mood. When solving analogy questions, always first identify the exact relationship in the given pair such as synonym, antonym, cause and effect, or trait and outcome, and then apply the same relationship consistently in the second pair. Final Answer: The correct completion of the analogy is that a pessimist is typically gloomy, just as an optimist is cheerful.

Question 10

In the analogy “Doctor : nurse :: ____ : follower”, which word best completes the leader–supporter relationship?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This analogy problem is based on the relationship between a primary role and a supporting or subordinate role. In hospitals and clinics, doctors and nurses work together, where the doctor usually holds the main decision making role regarding treatment and the nurse supports by carrying out many of the orders and caring tasks. In the second pair, we must find which word naturally pairs with follower in the same way that doctor pairs with nurse. Given Data / Assumptions: First pair: doctor and nurse. Second pair: unknown term and follower. Options: leader, manager, employer, worker, teacher. We assume standard workplace and social role meanings. Concept / Approach: The doctor is the chief professional who leads medical decisions, and the nurse assists and follows those directions. So the relation is “one who leads or directs” to “one who supports or follows.” In social or organisational contexts, the most natural counterpart to follower is leader. Therefore, the correct analogy is doctor : nurse :: leader : follower, where both pairs show a guiding role linked with a role that follows instructions. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Analyse the first pair. A doctor typically writes prescriptions and treatment plans, and the nurse helps implement them. Step 2: Recognise the pattern as “main decision maker or leader” to “supporting assistant or follower.” Step 3: For the second pair, think of the word that naturally stands opposite follower in leadership contexts. Step 4: Leader is the person who guides, influences, or directs followers in a group or organisation. Step 5: Verify that leader : follower mirrors doctor : nurse in terms of lead–assist or lead–follow roles. Verification / Alternative check: Consider each option. Manager manages employees but the word employee or subordinate is not given. Employer hires workers, so the natural pair is employer : employee rather than employer : follower. Worker simply describes someone performing tasks and does not imply followers. Teacher relates to student, not follower in general. Leader, however, is almost always described as having followers, which makes leader : follower a very strong, standard pairing like doctor : nurse. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Manager and employer are both roles above others but do not form fixed word pairs with follower. Worker is subordinate but does not stand in a guiding relationship with follower. Teacher suggests a teaching learning connection, not directly the followership idea. Only leader fits directly into the phrase leader and follower, and so it correctly captures the intended relationship. Common Pitfalls: Test takers sometimes pick manager because they think of office hierarchies or pick employer because of employment relationships. However, analogy questions require matching the exact relationship present in the first pair. When you see follower, you should immediately think of leader as the complementary concept, just as nurse naturally complements doctor in most work settings. Final Answer: The word that correctly completes the analogy is leader, giving “Doctor : nurse :: leader : follower”.

Question 11

In the analogy “Pen is to poet as needle is to ____”, which option best identifies the user of the tool?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This analogy question tests your ability to recognise the relationship between tools and the people who use them professionally. A pen is a basic tool used by a poet to write poetry. Similarly, a needle is a basic tool used in certain professions. Your job is to identify which option names the professional who most naturally uses a needle in daily work, mirroring the relation between pen and poet. Given Data / Assumptions: First pair: pen and poet. Second pair: needle and an unknown term. Options: sewing, thread, tailor, button, cloth. We assume typical everyday meanings of these words in clothing and writing contexts. Concept / Approach: The relationship in the first pair is “tool” to “user or professional”. The pen is an instrument used by the poet to create written work. For the second pair, a needle is a tool used for stitching and sewing fabric. The person who uses a needle as a main tool of trade is a tailor, who makes or alters clothes. Therefore, we should match needle with tailor to maintain the same tool–user relationship. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the role of pen. A pen is a device used for writing words on paper. Step 2: Check who uses a pen creatively and professionally. A poet uses a pen to write poems. Step 3: Move to the second pair. A needle is a sharp tool used in sewing and stitching fabrics. Step 4: Among the options, tailor is the only word that names a professional whose job involves sewing and stitching with needles. Step 5: Confirm that “needle : tailor” mirrors “pen : poet” as “tool : professional who uses that tool.” Verification / Alternative check: Consider the other options. Sewing is an activity, not a person. Thread is material used with a needle, not a user. Button is an object that may be attached using a needle and thread, and cloth is the fabric being worked on. None of these represent a professional user of the needle. Tailor, however, directly names the person whose main occupation is using needle and thread to produce or alter garments, so it is the only option that aligns correctly with the pattern. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Sewing, thread, button, and cloth all describe either actions or materials involved in tailoring, not the person performing the work. The first pair clearly links a tool to the person, not to a material or activity. Matching needle with any of those would change the relationship type from tool–user to tool–object or tool–activity, breaking the analogy pattern. Common Pitfalls: Some students may get distracted by words that are closely associated with a needle, such as thread or sewing, and choose them because they feel related. However, it is critical in analogy questions to identify exactly who or what is related to what: in this case, the question maps from tool to person. Once you fix that relationship in your mind, tailor stands out clearly as the correct answer. Final Answer: The analogy is completed by pairing a needle with a tailor, in the same way that a pen is paired with a poet.

Question 12

In the analogy “Tractor : trailer :: horse : ____”, which option best represents what the horse pulls?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This analogy compares vehicles and what they pull. A tractor is a powerful vehicle that commonly pulls a trailer loaded with goods or equipment. The second pair involves a horse, and you must choose what the horse typically pulls in day to day use that parallels the tractor–trailer relationship. The question tests your understanding of basic real world associations between animals, vehicles, and the loads they move. Given Data / Assumptions: First pair: tractor and trailer. Second pair: horse and an unknown object. Options: saddle, engine, cart, stable, coach. We use common rural and transport related knowledge. Concept / Approach: The relationship “tractor : trailer” is that a tractor pulls a trailer behind it. The trailer is a separate vehicle or container that carries load. In the second pair, the horse should be linked to something it pulls behind it in a similar way. The most common drawn vehicle associated with horses is a cart, sometimes also a carriage or coach. Among the given options, cart is the closest general term for a light vehicle pulled by horses, strongly matching the trailer in function. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Interpret the first pair. A tractor is designed to tow or pull heavy loads, and a trailer is the unit it pulls. Step 2: Identify the relationship type as “pulling vehicle” to “vehicle or container being pulled.” Step 3: Apply that idea to the horse. A horse is an animal often used to pull vehicles, especially carts. Step 4: Review the options. Saddle is something placed on the horse's back, not pulled behind it. Engine is a machine part, not something pulled. Stable is where the horse lives. Step 5: Cart fits perfectly as a light vehicle pulled by a horse, mirroring the trailer pulled by a tractor. Coach is also a pulled vehicle, but cart is more basic and general. Verification / Alternative check: Visualising both scenes helps. The tractor is in front and the trailer is attached at the back, rolling along behind. Similarly, a horse is harnessed in front of a cart, which rolls behind it. The core pattern is “puller in front” and “load carrier behind.” None of the other options occupy that back position in relation to the horse. This confirms cart as the most accurate analogue to trailer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A saddle is a seat placed on top of the horse, not a separate vehicle pulled behind. An engine is an internal machine that provides power, not something the horse tows. A stable is a building where horses are kept. A coach is a type of carriage, but in many exam questions cart is preferred as the simplest, most direct match to trailer. The presence of cart in the list makes it the clearest correct answer. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates may be tempted by saddle because it is strongly associated with horses, but that changes the relationship from puller pulled to animal equipment. Others may overthink the choice between cart and coach. In standard reasoning questions, cart is the more general and widely taught pairing with horse. Always match the type of relationship, not just any related word. Final Answer: The analogy is correctly completed as “Tractor : trailer :: horse : cart”.

Question 13

In the analogy “Cassock : priest :: ____ : graduate”, which garment best completes the relationship?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This analogy deals with traditional garments associated with particular roles or ceremonies. A cassock is a long, close fitting robe traditionally worn by priests and other clergy members. The second part of the analogy asks you to find the garment that is similarly associated with a graduate. This tests your knowledge of ceremonial clothing and the way particular outfits symbolise roles or achievements. Given Data / Assumptions: First pair: cassock and priest. Second pair: unknown garment and graduate. Options: gown, tie, cap, coat, scarf. We assume standard academic dress in graduation ceremonies. Concept / Approach: A cassock is almost a uniform for priests in many Christian traditions. It immediately signals the person's role. In academic contexts, graduates have their own special ceremonial clothing. The key garment worn over clothes at a graduation ceremony is the graduation gown, often paired with a cap. The gown is the closest equivalent to the cassock as an outer garment that symbolises the wearer's status. Therefore, gown is the best match. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Understand the first pair. Cassock is a distinctive religious robe strongly associated with priests. Step 2: Recognise the relationship as “special garment worn by a particular role or status.” Step 3: Think about typical graduation ceremonies. Graduates wear a special long robe over their regular clothes. Step 4: This ceremonial robe is commonly called a graduation gown. Step 5: Compare with other options and confirm that gown is the garment most directly linked with the status of a graduate. Verification / Alternative check: Check each option in turn. Tie, cap, coat, and scarf may be part of general formal wear but do not on their own symbolise graduation in the way a gown does. The cap, especially the mortarboard, is associated with graduation, but it is normally mentioned together with the gown as “cap and gown.” Since the analogy uses cassock, a full robe like garment, the best parallel item is the graduation gown itself. This preserves the type and prominence of the clothing piece. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Tie is a narrow piece of cloth worn with many business suits and school uniforms, not unique to graduates. A cap is a partial part of graduation dress, but on its own it does not mirror the long, robe like cassock. Coat and scarf are generic outer garments used for warmth and style, not linked to a special ceremony or status. Gown is specifically worn by graduates, making it the precise counterpart to cassock for priests. Common Pitfalls: Some students may select cap because they recall the square graduate cap in photographs. However, the analogy is between one main ceremonial garment and another. The cassock is a full body robe, so the best matching item should also be a robe like garment, not a small accessory. By focusing on the main symbol of each role, gown clearly emerges as the correct answer. Final Answer: The analogy is completed as “Cassock : priest :: gown : graduate”.

Question 14

In the analogy “Protagonist is to heroine as clothing is to ____”, which option best shows the relation of general category to specific example?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This analogy question focuses on the relationship between a general category and a specific example that belongs to that category. A protagonist is the main character in a story, and heroine is a specific kind of protagonist, usually a female lead character. In the second pair, clothing is a general category for items people wear. You must choose which option represents a specific example of clothing in the same way heroine is a specific example of a protagonist. Given Data / Assumptions: First pair: protagonist and heroine. Second pair: clothing and an unknown item. Options: jeans, villain, hero, shopping, shirt. We assume standard meanings: protagonist as main character and clothing as wearable items. Concept / Approach: The relation between protagonist and heroine is “general role” to “specific form of that role.” A heroine is a type of protagonist, distinguished mainly by gender in traditional storytelling terms. For the second pair, clothing is the general class. We need a word that names a specific garment belonging to that class. Among the options, jeans and shirt are both types of clothing, but jeans represents a clear, commonly recognised category of trousers and stands out more as a direct, named item in the same way heroine stands out within protagonists. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Clarify the first pair. Protagonist means the main character in a narrative. Heroine is a specific type of protagonist, typically female. Step 2: Label the relationship as “broad category to specific example within that category.” Step 3: For the second pair, clothing is a broad category that includes many items like shirts, jeans, jackets, and dresses. Step 4: Among the options, jeans is a specific garment type, just as heroine is a specific kind of protagonist. Step 5: Villain and hero are character roles, shopping is an activity, and shirt is also a garment but the test commonly uses jeans as a standard strong example of clothing in analogy questions. Verification / Alternative check: Check each option carefully. Villain and hero belong to the world of characters and do not relate directly to clothing, so they break the domain consistency. Shopping is an action, not an item of clothing. Shirt is indeed a garment, but in many reasoning problems jeans is used as a classic example of a category within clothing, because the pair “clothing : jeans” is very frequently taught. Both shirt and jeans could be garments, but jeans is more distinctive as a named style like heroine is a specific label among protagonists. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Villain and hero would make a new analogy about stories rather than about clothing. They do not belong inside the clothing category and so fail the category membership requirement. Shopping is related to buying clothing but is not itself clothing. Shirt could in principle fit, but in the given set, jeans better mirrors the idea of a specific labelled type within a broader group, and is more parallel to heroine as a named subtype rather than a generic item. Therefore, jeans is the best option. Common Pitfalls: Some learners may be confused by the mix of storytelling terms and clothing terms, and choose hero or villain just because they look similar to protagonist and heroine. Others may pick shopping due to its association with buying clothes. To avoid such errors, always ensure that the second pair matches the structure of the first: here, both pairs must show “category : member of that category.” When you apply this filter, jeans stands out clearly. Final Answer: The analogy is completed as “Protagonist is to heroine as clothing is to jeans”.

Question 15

In the state–capital analogy “Tamil Nadu : Chennai :: Manipur : ____”, which city correctly completes the pair?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This analogy question checks your knowledge of Indian states and their capitals. Tamil Nadu is a state in India, and Chennai is its capital city. The second pair involves the state Manipur, and you must choose the city that serves as its capital, maintaining the same state–capital relationship. Such questions are common in general awareness and aptitude sections. Given Data / Assumptions: First pair: Tamil Nadu and Chennai. Second pair: Manipur and an unknown city. Options: Imphal, Aizawl, Itanagar, Dispur, Kohima. We assume standard, widely accepted Indian state capital information. Concept / Approach: The relationship in the first pair is “Indian state” to “capital city.” Chennai is well known as the capital of Tamil Nadu. To complete the analogy, we need to supply the capital city of Manipur from the list. Imphal is the capital of Manipur. The other options are capitals of different North Eastern states, so selecting the correct one requires distinguishing each state capital correctly. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Confirm the pattern. Tamil Nadu is a state and Chennai is its capital city. Step 2: Identify Manipur as another North Eastern state of India. Step 3: Recall that Imphal is the capital of Manipur. Step 4: Check the remaining options. Aizawl is the capital of Mizoram, Itanagar of Arunachal Pradesh, Dispur of Assam, and Kohima of Nagaland. Step 5: Only Imphal matches Manipur as its capital, so it preserves the state–capital relationship. Verification / Alternative check: If you remember basic Indian geography, the pairings Aizawl–Mizoram, Itanagar–Arunachal Pradesh, Dispur–Assam and Kohima–Nagaland are standard textbook facts. None of these states are Manipur. Therefore they cannot complete the analogy. Only Imphal corresponds correctly to Manipur in the same way Chennai corresponds to Tamil Nadu. This double check confirms that Imphal must be chosen. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Aizawl, Itanagar, Dispur, and Kohima are all valid capital cities, but they belong to different states and therefore break the direct state–capital pairing demanded by the analogy. The question is not simply asking for any capital, but for the specific capital of Manipur. Common Pitfalls: Because all the options are capitals from the North Eastern region, it is easy to mix them up, especially for learners who have not revised this part of Indian geography recently. A good strategy is to memorise state–capital pairs by grouping them regionally and using association stories so that you can quickly separate similar sounding names during exams. Final Answer: The analogy is completed as “Tamil Nadu : Chennai :: Manipur : Imphal”.

Question 16

In the letter–number analogy “CD : 916 :: ____ : 100144”, which pair of letters follows the same positional square pattern?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This analogy question combines alphabet positions with number patterns. The pair “CD : 916” suggests that the letters C and D are converted into the number 916 using a particular rule. You must discover this rule and then apply it to another pair of letters so that the result is 100144. This tests your ability to work with letter positions in the alphabet and to recognise patterns involving squares of numbers. Given Data / Assumptions: First pair: CD and 916. Second pair: unknown letter pair and 100144. Alphabet positions: A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, D = 4, J = 10, L = 12, etc. Options: HG, MO, RS, JL, NP. Concept / Approach: First, we look at the letters in CD. C is the 3rd letter of the alphabet and D is the 4th. If we square these positions, we get 3^2 = 9 and 4^2 = 16. When we write these two results side by side, we get 916, which matches the given number for CD. The pattern is therefore “concatenate the squares of the alphabet positions of the two letters.” We now need two letters whose positions squared, and then written side by side, give 100144. Since 100 = 10^2 and 144 = 12^2, the pair of positions is 10 and 12, which correspond to the letters J and L. Thus, JL is the correct answer. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Convert letters in CD to positions: C = 3, D = 4. Step 2: Square each position: 3^2 = 9 and 4^2 = 16. Step 3: Place the results side by side: 9 and 16 combine to form 916, which matches the given number. Step 4: For 100144, separate the number into two perfect squares: 100 and 144. Step 5: Take square roots: 100 = 10^2 and 144 = 12^2, so the positions are 10 and 12. Step 6: Convert positions back to letters: 10 → J, 12 → L, giving the pair JL. Verification / Alternative check: Check an option like HG. H is the 8th letter and G is the 7th. Squaring these gives 64 and 49, which would form 6449, not 100144. Similarly, MO would give 13^2 = 169 and 15^2 = 225, making 169225. RS corresponds to 18 and 19, giving 324 and 361, which combine to 324361. None of these match 100144. Only JL, with positions 10 and 12, produces 10^2 = 100 and 12^2 = 144, exactly matching the target number. Why Other Options Are Wrong: HG, MO, RS, and NP all produce different numerical patterns when the same positional square rule is applied. None of them factor into 100144. The question requires strict adherence to the discovered rule, rather than any loose connection between letters and numbers. Therefore, these options must be rejected. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to guess based on letter distance or general familiarity instead of fully decoding the number pattern. Another pitfall is to treat 100144 as a single square or cube, which it is not. By carefully splitting the number into two perfect squares and reversing the process back to letter positions, you can reliably find JL as the only pair consistent with the pattern. Final Answer: Using the same positional square rule, the pair that matches 100144 is JL, so the completed analogy is “CD : 916 :: JL : 100144”.

Question 17

In the analogy “RARE : ERAR :: ROCKET : ____”, which option shows the same letter rearrangement pattern applied to the word ROCKET?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This analogy question focuses on letter rearrangement patterns. The pair “RARE : ERAR” shows that the word RARE has been transformed in a specific way to obtain ERAR. To solve the analogy, you need to discover the exact transformation used on RARE and then apply the same operation to the word ROCKET. The option that matches this transformed form is the correct answer. Given Data / Assumptions: First pair: RARE becomes ERAR. Second word: ROCKET must be transformed in the same way. Options: TKEROC, TEKRCO, TEKROC, TEKCOR, TREKOC. We assume no letters are added or removed, only rearranged. Concept / Approach: First, we examine how RARE turns into ERAR. Writing RARE in order: R A R E. Writing ERAR: E R A R. This is exactly the reverse of the original word. If we reverse R A R E, we read from last letter to first: E R A R, which matches the given transformation. So the rule is “reverse the order of letters.” Now we must reverse ROCKET. ROCKET letters in order are R O C K E T. Reversing them from last to first gives T E K C O R. We then match this arrangement to the closest option, which is TEKCOR. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Write RARE in forward order: R A R E. Step 2: Write ERAR in forward order and compare: E R A R. Step 3: Notice that ERAR is RARE written backwards: last letter E comes first, followed by R, then A, then R. Step 4: Apply the same reversal rule to ROCKET: write it as R O C K E T and then reverse it. Step 5: Reversing gives T E K C O R. Step 6: Compare this to the options and identify TEKCOR as the exact match. Verification / Alternative check: Check each option carefully. TKEROC rearranges letters as T K E R O C, which does not match the reversed order. TEKRCO is T E K R C O, again incorrect. TEKROC is T E K R O C, with R and C swapped compared to the correct pattern. TREKOC is T R E K O C, which rearranges letters in a different way. Only TEKCOR uses the letters of ROCKET in the exact reverse sequence T E K C O R, proving that option D is right. Why Other Options Are Wrong: All the other options show some permutation of ROCKET but not the precise reverse. The analogy depends strictly on applying the identical transformation, not on any random rearrangement. Since RARE is fully reversed to become ERAR, ROCKET must be fully reversed as well. Any permutation that does not match this exact operation breaks the analogy. Common Pitfalls: One frequent mistake is to choose an option that only partially resembles a reversed form or that keeps the first and last letters and jumbles the middle. Another is to overcomplicate the pattern by looking for hidden codes when a simple reversal pattern is present. When you see a word and its exact reverse in an analogy, always test reversal on the second word before trying more complex rules. Final Answer: Reversing ROCKET gives T E K C O R, so the correct transformed form is TEKCOR, and the analogy becomes “RARE : ERAR :: ROCKET : TEKCOR”.

Question 18

In the analogy “19 : 6859 :: 21 : ____”, which number should replace the blank to continue the same numerical pattern?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This numerical analogy explores the relationship between a number and a much larger number derived from it. The pair “19 : 6859” suggests that 6859 is generated from 19 by some mathematical operation. To complete the analogy, you must determine that operation and apply it to 21, then select the correct result from the given options. This question mainly tests your familiarity with powers and cubes of integers. Given Data / Assumptions: First numerical pair: 19 and 6859. Second starting number: 21 with an unknown corresponding value. Options: 9291, 9281, 9261, 9200, 9300. We assume standard integer powers and basic arithmetic. Concept / Approach: First, examine how 6859 is related to 19. A good strategy for such large numbers is to check squares and cubes of 19. Calculating 19^2 yields 361, which is much smaller than 6859. Calculating 19^3 gives 19 * 19 * 19, which equals 6859 exactly. So the pattern is “number → its cube”. To keep the analogy consistent, we must cube 21 to obtain the missing term. 21^3 = 21 * 21 * 21 = 9261. Hence, the correct answer is 9261. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Compute the square of 19 to test if 6859 might be 19^2. 19^2 = 19 * 19 = 361, which is far smaller than 6859. Step 2: Compute the cube of 19. 19^3 = 19 * 19 * 19 = 6859, which matches the number in the analogy. Step 3: Conclude that the transformation is “take the cube of the given number.” Step 4: Apply the same rule to 21. First find 21^2 = 21 * 21 = 441. Step 5: Multiply again by 21 to obtain 21^3. 441 * 21 = 9261. Step 6: Match 9261 with the options and select it as the correct answer. Verification / Alternative check: Quickly inspect the other options. 9291, 9281, 9200, and 9300 are all close in value but do not match the exact cube of 21. Only 9261 equals 21^3. Since the first pair uses an exact cube, any other transformation (such as squaring or adding constants) would break the clean pattern already discovered. Why Other Options Are Wrong: The numbers 9291, 9281, 9200, and 9300 are not equal to any simple power of 21. They appear only as distractors around the correct cube value. Because the analogy depends on exactly cubing the given number, any value that does not match 21^3 is incorrect. Common Pitfalls: A common error is to approximate or guess based on the size of the numbers rather than calculating the cube precisely. Another is to assume a less common rule, such as 19 multiplied by some factor, without checking powers first. In numerical analogies where one number is much larger than the other, always test squares and cubes early. This strategy makes it much easier to identify the correct pattern and apply it correctly to the second pair. Final Answer: Since 6859 equals 19^3 and 21^3 equals 9261, the analogy “19 : 6859 :: 21 : ____” is completed as “19 : 6859 :: 21 : 9261”.

Question 19

From the following options, which word pair best matches the tool–user relationship in “Carpenter : hammer”?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This analogy question focuses on the relationship between a worker and the tool commonly used in that profession. A carpenter is a skilled tradesperson who works with wood, and a hammer is one of the main tools used in carpentry to drive nails and assemble structures. Your task is to identify the pair among the options that has the same “professional : primary tool” relationship as “carpenter : hammer”. Given Data / Assumptions: Reference pair: carpenter and hammer. Options: computer : writer, crane : builder, axe : logger, plumber : wrench, driver : car. We assume each pair, if valid, would show a user and the item used. Concept / Approach: The relationship is clearly “person who performs a job” to “hand tool typically used in that job.” For a carpenter, the hammer is a basic hand tool central to many tasks. Among the options, the closest match is plumber : wrench, because a plumber is a professional who works on pipes and fittings, and a wrench is a fundamental hand tool used to tighten and loosen pipe joints. The other pairs either reverse the relationship or use items that are not simple hand tools in the same sense. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the structure of the first pair. Carpenter refers to a person with a trade, and hammer is a tool used by that person. Step 2: Define the pattern as “professional : main hand tool.” Step 3: Examine each option. For computer : writer, the computer is a tool and the writer is the user, but the order is reversed. Step 4: For crane : builder, the crane is a machine rather than a simple hand tool, and the order is again reversed. Step 5: Axe : logger has the tool first and user second; the pattern is “tool : user”, not “user : tool.” Step 6: Plumber : wrench matches the pattern exactly, with the worker first and the main hand tool second. Verification / Alternative check: Compare carpenter : hammer and plumber : wrench. In both cases the first term is a trade or profession, and the second term is a handheld tool essential for that work. In contrast, driver : car combines a person and a vehicle, not a simple hand tool, which slightly shifts the relationship. Computer : writer and axe : logger reverse the order. Crane : builder also reverses the order and uses a heavy machine rather than a basic tool. This confirms plumber : wrench as the most precise analogy. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Computer : writer would need to be “writer : computer” to follow the same order, and even then a computer is not as fundamental to writing as a hammer is to carpentry in traditional terms. Crane : builder also reverses the order and refers to a large machine, not a hand tool. Axe : logger again has the tool listed first. Driver : car involves a person and the vehicle they operate, which is different from the pattern of hand tools. Only plumber : wrench respects both the order and the nature of the relationship. Common Pitfalls: Candidates often ignore word order in analogy questions and choose any pair with a believable relation. However, the precise order and type of relationship matter. When you consistently classify the first words as professionals and the second as core hand tools, plumber : wrench stands out as the only fully correct match. Final Answer: The correct analogous pair is Plumber : wrench, which mirrors the worker–tool relationship in “Carpenter : hammer”.

Question 20

In the number analogy “40 : 100 :: 56 : ____”, which number should replace the blank to follow the same rule?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This numerical analogy compares two number pairs and asks you to identify the pattern that links the first number to the second in each pair. You are given “40 : 100” as the first pair and “56 : ____” as the second, with several options. Your task is to determine how 100 is derived from 40 and then apply the same rule to 56 to find the correct corresponding number. This type of question tests your ability to identify simple multiplicative relationships. Given Data / Assumptions: First pair: 40 and 100. Second starting number: 56. Options: 140, 112, 118, 148, 104. We assume simple arithmetic operations such as multiplication or division. Concept / Approach: Start by looking for a straightforward operation that converts 40 into 100. One obvious approach is multiplication. If we multiply 40 by 2, the result is 80, which is too small. If we multiply 40 by 2.5, we get 40 * 2.5 = 100 exactly. Thus, the rule appears to be “multiply the first number by 2.5”. To keep consistency, we must apply this same rule to 56. So, 56 * 2.5 = 140. Therefore, the correct answer is 140. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine the first pair. Try simple operations: 40 + 60 = 100, but adding 60 is less useful as a general rule. Step 2: Try multiplication. 40 * 2 = 80, 40 * 3 = 120, but neither equals 100. Step 3: Consider multiplying by a fraction. 40 * 2.5 = 40 * (5 / 2) = (40 * 5) / 2 = 200 / 2 = 100, which matches the second number. Step 4: Accept the rule: second number = first number * 2.5. Step 5: Apply the rule to 56. Compute 56 * 2.5 = (56 * 5) / 2 = 280 / 2 = 140. Step 6: Choose 140 from the options as the number that correctly fits the pattern. Verification / Alternative check: Check if any alternative rule could be consistent for both pairs. For example, adding 60 to 40 gives 100, but then adding 60 to 56 would produce 116, which is not among the options. Squaring or cubing 40 would give very large numbers that do not match 100. The factor 2.5 is the only simple, exact multiplier that works for the first pair and produces one of the options for the second pair. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 112 is 56 * 2, 118 is a nearby but arbitrary value, 148 would be 56 * 2.64 approximately, and 104 would be 56 * 1.857. None of these multipliers match the factor of 2.5 discovered from the first pair. Since the pattern must be consistent, no option other than 140, which equals 56 * 2.5, can be correct. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to assume that the relationship must use an integer multiplier, so students try to force a rule like “multiply by 2 and add something.” However, analogies often use fractional multipliers when they yield clean results. Another pitfall is to guess based solely on closeness to 100 or 150 rather than determining the actual operation. Always derive the rule from the first pair and confirm it with the second. Final Answer: Following the rule “multiply by 2.5,” we get 40 → 100 and 56 → 140, so the analogy is “40 : 100 :: 56 : 140”.

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