Analogies, Similarities & Differences

1. What are Analogies?

Analogies test your ability to identify relationships between pairs of words and apply the same relationship to another pair. They measure logical reasoning and vocabulary skills.

Tests Logical Relationships

Measures Vocabulary Skills

Identifies Word Pairs Relationship

Applies Same Logic to New Pair

Simple Definition: Analogies are comparisons between two things that highlight how they are similar, helping us understand complex relationships through simple examples.

Types of Analogies

Common Analogy Categories

Type	Relationship	Example
Synonym	Words with similar meaning	Happy : Joyful :: Sad : Sorrowful
Antonym	Words with opposite meaning	Hot : Cold :: Day : Night
Part to Whole	Component to complete object	Wheel : Car :: Page : Book
Category	Item to its category	Apple : Fruit :: Carrot : Vegetable
Function	Object to its function	Pen : Write :: Knife : Cut
Cause & Effect	Action to its result	Fire : Heat :: Rain : Flood
Degree	Varying intensity levels	Warm : Hot :: Cool : Cold

2. How to Solve Analogies?

Follow these step-by-step methods to solve analogy questions effectively:

1

Identify the Relationship

Determine how the first pair of words are related

2

Formulate a Sentence

Create a sentence that describes their relationship

3

Apply to Second Pair

Use the same relationship with the second word

4

Check Options

Find the option that maintains the same relationship

3. Solved Examples

Example 1: Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ?

Step 1: Relationship - Doctor works in Hospital

Step 2: Sentence - "A Doctor works in a Hospital"

Step 3: Apply - "A Teacher works in a ______"

Answer: School

Example 2: Pen : Write :: Knife : ?

Step 1: Relationship - Pen is used to Write

Step 2: Sentence - "A Pen is used to Write"

Step 3: Apply - "A Knife is used to ______"

Answer: Cut

Example 3: Hot : Cold :: Light : ?

Step 1: Relationship - Hot is opposite of Cold

Step 2: Sentence - "Hot is the opposite of Cold"

Step 3: Apply - "Light is the opposite of ______"

Answer: Heavy/Dark

4. Similarities & Differences

Identifying Common Patterns

Similarities

Same Category/Group

Apple, Orange, Banana → All Fruits

Same Function/Purpose

Pen, Pencil, Marker → All for Writing

Same Characteristics

Lion, Tiger, Leopard → All Wild Cats

Differences

Odd One Out

Car, Bus, Train, Bicycle → Bicycle (non-motorized)

Different Category

Rose, Lotus, Marigold, Oak → Oak (tree, not flower)

Different Properties

Gold, Silver, Copper, Plastic → Plastic (non-metal)

5. Quick Recap

Concept	Key Point	Example
Analogies	Identify relationships between word pairs	Doctor:Hospital :: Teacher:School
Similarities	Find common characteristics	Rose, Lotus, Marigold → All Flowers
Differences	Identify odd one out	Car, Bus, Bicycle → Bicycle (different)
Solving Method	Identify → Sentence → Apply → Check	4-step approach

6. Delhi Police Exam Tips

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Practice regularly with different types of analogies

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Build vocabulary - know synonyms and antonyms

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Time management - don't spend too long on one question

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Eliminate wrong options first to improve accuracy