English Language · Reasoning

Verbal Analogies

1,722 Questions

Test your reasoning abilities with these verbal analogies questions focused on identifying word relationships. The exercises require finding pairs that share similar logical or semantic connections. This section is a crucial part of the verbal ability and reasoning tests in many competitive exams.

Word pair relationshipsSemantic connectionsLogical analogiesOdd pair identification

Verbal Analogies Questions

Multiple choice

Directions: For this question, select the best of the answer choices given.

In an attempt to promote the widespread use of paper rather than plastic, and thus reduce nonbiodegradable waste, the council of a small town plans to ban the sale of disposable plastic goods for which substitutes made of paper exist. The council argues that since most paper is entirely biodegradable, paper goods are environmentally preferable. Which of the following, if true, indicates that the plan to ban the sale of disposable plastic goods is ill suited to the town council's environmental goals?

  1. Although biodegradable plastic goods are now available, members of the town council believe biodegradable paper goods to be safer for the environment.

  2. The paper factory at which most of the townspeople are employed plans to increase production of biodegradable paper goods.

  3. After other towns enacted similar bans on the sale of plastic goods, the environmental benefits were not discernible for several years.

  4. Since most townspeople prefer plastic goods to paper goods in many instances, they are likely to purchase them in neighboring towns where plastic goods are available for sale.

  5. Products other than those derived from wood pulp are often used in the manufacture of paper goods that are entirely biodegradable.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The ban aims to reduce plastic waste, but if residents can easily buy plastic goods in neighboring towns, the ban won't achieve its environmental goal. The leakage effect means people will still use and dispose of plastic goods, just purchased elsewhere, undermining the town's environmental objectives.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, a related pair of words is followed by four pairs of words. Choose the one pair that best expresses a relationship similar to that expressed in the original pair.

CONFLUENCE : PEOPLE

  1. creek : water

  2. condiment : taste

  3. macadam : cobble

  4. congress : bill

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

(Constituent) A confluence (meaning a crowd) is made of individual people. Similarly, a macadam (meaning a path) is made up of individual cobble (meaning gravel).

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, a related pair of words is followed by four pairs of words. Choose the one pair that best expresses a relationship similar to that expressed in the original pair.

ANALGESIC : RELIEF

  1. cryosurgery : ameliorate

  2. scalpel : cauterize

  3. antiseptic : decumbent

  4. sedative : tranquilize

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

(Purpose) The purpose of an analgesic is to provide relief. The purpose of a sedative is to tranquilize (meaning pacify).

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, a related pair of words is followed by four pairs of words. Choose the one pair that best expresses a relationship similar to that expressed in the original pair.

PEDESTAL : BOLSTER

  1. stockade : precinct

  2. sluice : ferry

  3. ingress : levee

  4. masonry : edifice

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

(Type) Pedestal (meaning bottom of a pillar) is a type of bolster (meaning support). A stockade (meaning barrier) is a kind of precinct (meaning enclosure).

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, a related pair of words is followed by four pairs of words. Choose the one pair that best expresses a relationship similar to that expressed in the original pair.

NEUTRALISATION : ACID

  1. billow : current

  2. pabulum : reduction

  3. purification : ore

  4. detoxification : poison

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

(Process of removal). Neutralization is the process of acid removal. Detoxification is the process of poison removal.

Multiple choice

SKIN is to MAN as SCALES is to

  1. FROG

  2. FISH

  3. SCORPION

  4. ARTHROPOD

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Skin is the outer protective covering of a human/man. Similarly, scales are the outer protective covering of a fish. The analogy is outer covering : animal.

Multiple choice

HYDROPHOBIA is to WATER as ICHTHYOPHOBIA is to

  1. FISH

  2. INSECT

  3. HEIGHT

  4. STRANGER
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Hydrophobia is the irrational fear of water. Ichthyophobia is the irrational fear of fish. The analogy follows the phobia naming pattern where the suffix indicates the specific fear object.

Multiple choice

LOATH is to COERCION as RELUCTANT is to

  1. PERSUATION

  2. SCOLD

  3. FAILURE

  4. PONDER

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

To be loath is to be unwilling, often due to coercion. To be reluctant is to be unwilling, often due to persuasion or hesitation. The analogy pairs synonyms with similar degrees of unwillingness.

Multiple choice

PLAY is to ACTOR as CONCERT is to

  1. DRAMA

  2. MUSICIAN

  3. SONG

  4. RHYTHM

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A play is performed by an actor, just as a concert is performed by a musician. This is a direct functional relationship: the activity is performed by the person associated with it.

Multiple choice

PAIN is to MISERY as IGNORANCE is to

  1. CONFUSION

  2. MUNDANE

  3. VERMACULAR

  4. VOCIFEROUS

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Pain can lead to or result in misery, just as ignorance can lead to or result in confusion. The relationship is cause → effect or condition → negative consequence.

Multiple choice

Directions: The following analogy question presents a related pair of words linked by a colon. Four numbered pairs of words follow the linked pair. Choose the numbered pair of words whose relationship is most similar to the relationship expressed in the original linked pair.

TORRENT : DROPLET ::

  1. Water : eddy

  2. Swamp : desert

  3. Downpour : puddle

  4. Avalanche : pebble
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

 A torrent is made up of droplets. An avalanche is sudden fall of rocks, snow or earth and is made up of pebbles.

Multiple choice

Directions: The following analogy question presents a related pair of words linked by a colon. Four numbered pairs of words follow the linked pair. Choose the numbered pair of words whose relationship is most similar to the relationship expressed in the original linked pair.

PHILATELY : STAMPS ::

  1. Calligraphy : pens

  2. Cartography : maps

  3. Chronology : events

  4. Numismatics : coins
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Philately is the study and collecting of stamps. Numismatics is the study and collecting of coins.

Multiple choice

Manner is to morals as politeness is to

  1. virtue

  2. malice

  3. vice

  4. kindness

  5. pity
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Manner reflects moral behavior through etiquette, just as politeness represents the social expression of virtue. The relationship shows how visible behaviors (manner, politeness) reflect underlying principles (morals, virtue).