Word Analogy Reasoning Tricks: Relation Types and Solved Questions for SSC CGL, CHSL

In a word analogy, two words are related in some way, and you find the word that has the same relation with a third word, such as "Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ?" (School). The best method is to make a small sentence that joins the first pair, and then use the same sentence on the second pair. These word analogy tricks for SSC list the common relations and solve examples.

The Sentence Method

1. Read the first pair and make a short sentence: "A doctor works in a hospital."
2. Use the same sentence for the second pair: "A teacher works in a ___."
3. Choose the option that fits in the sentence.
4. If two options fit, make the sentence more specific.

Common Types of Relations

Solved Examples

Example 1. Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ?
A doctor works in a hospital, and a teacher works in a school.

Example 2. Pen : Write :: Knife : ?
A pen is used to write, and a knife is used to cut.

Example 3. Foot : Shoe :: Hand : ?
A shoe covers the foot, and a glove covers the hand.

Example 4. Eye : See :: Ear : ?
The eye is used to see, and the ear is used to hear.

Example 5. India : Rupee :: Japan : ?
The currency of India is the rupee, and the currency of Japan is the yen.

Tips

• The order of the words matters: Doctor : Hospital is not the same as Hospital : Doctor.
• Do not choose a word only because it is related to the third word. It must have the same relation as the first pair.
• Keep your general knowledge fresh (currencies, capitals, animals and their young ones).

Quick Tips

• Make a sentence from the first pair.
• Keep the order of the words.
• Learn the common relation types.
• Revise the general knowledge pairs.

Quick Revision Points

• The sentence method works for most analogies.
• The relation must be the same in both pairs.
• Learn the animal-young one and animal-home pairs.
• The order of the words matters.
• Currencies and capitals are common analogies.

Practice Questions With Answers

1. Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ?
   Answer: School
2. Pen : Write :: Knife : ?
   Answer: Cut
3. Foot : Shoe :: Hand : ?
   Answer: Glove
4. Hot : Cold :: Day : ?
   Answer: Night
5. Bird : Nest :: Bee : ?
   Answer: Hive
6. Eye : See :: Ear : ?
   Answer: Hear
7. India : Rupee :: Japan : ?
   Answer: Yen
8. Cow : Calf :: Dog : ?
   Answer: Puppy
9. Fish : Water :: Bird : ?
   Answer: Air (sky)
10. What is the first step in solving a word analogy?
    Answer: Make a sentence that joins the first pair

How to Practise This Chapter

Practise 10 questions every day and write the steps on paper. Then attempt timed sets from our practice papers and the previous year papers page. See all topics on the Verbal Reasoning notes page, read the previous topic Letter Coding Decoding and the next topic Odd One Out (Words). Learn the letter positions from the Alphabet Test note first. Also read Analogy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a word analogy?

It is a question in which two words are related, and you find the word with the same relation to a third word.

What is the sentence method?

You make a sentence for the first pair and use it for the second pair.

What are the common relations?

Worker and place, tool and work, part and whole, opposites, animal and young one and country and currency.

Does the order of the words matter?

Yes. The relation is in one direction only.

What if two options fit?

Make the sentence more specific.

Is word analogy asked in SSC exams?

Yes. Analogy is asked in SSC CGL, CHSL and MTS reasoning.

How much time should I take?

About 20 seconds.

What are the common mistakes?

Choosing a word related only to the third word.

What is the young one of a cow?

A calf.

What is the currency of Japan?

The yen.

How can I improve my speed?

Practise 10 analogies daily and keep a list of general knowledge pairs.

Is word analogy the same as number analogy?

The method is the same, but the pairs are words.