Analogy Questions and Answers for Competitive Exams – Types, Solved Examples, Tricks & Practice Questions

Analogy Reasoning Questions with Solutions – Complete Notes, Types, Tricks & Practice Set for Competitive Exams

What is Analogy? In reasoning, analogy is a method of identifying a connection between two given items and applying that same connection to another item.

The items may be words, numbers, letters, objects, or figures. The main challenge is not simply finding a relationship, but finding the exact relationship intended by the question.

General pattern of Analogy: 

A : B :: C : ?

It means: A and B have a particular relationship. Find the item that has the same relationship with C.

Basic Idea of Analogy

• Think of the first pair as a model.
• First pair → Discover the rule → Apply the same rule to the second pair
• For example:- Bird : Nest :: Bee : ?

First Find Relationship between Bird & Nest . A bird lives in a nest. Now use the same type of relationship as - a bee lives in a hive. Therefore, The Answer is Hive

• The important point is that we should identify the relationship, rather than simply looking for words that appear connected.

Major Types of Analogy

A. Word Analogy

• These questions use words and test the relationship between them.
• Example:-   Author : Book :: Composer : ?

First Find Relationship between Aauthor & Book. An author creates a book. Now use the same type of relationship as - a composer creates a musical composition. Therefore, The Answer is Music

Therefore, The Answer is

Common word relationships include:

Animal → Home

This analogy represents the relationship between an animal and the place where it normally lives or is kept.

Examples:

• Dog → Kennel
• Horse → Stable
• Lion → Den
• Cow → Shed
• Hen → Coop
• Pig → Sty
• Rabbit → Burrow
• Bee → Hive
• Bird → Nest
• Sheep → Pen
• Snake → Hole
• Spider → Web

Animal → Young One

This analogy represents the relationship between an animal and its young one.

Examples:

• Dog → Puppy
• Cat → Kitten
• Cow → Calf
• Horse → Foal
• Goat → Kid
• Sheep → Lamb
• Lion → Cub
• Tiger → Cub
• Elephant → Calf
• Deer → Fawn
• Pig → Piglet
• Hen → Chick
• Duck → Duckling
• Frog → Tadpole
• Butterfly → Caterpillar

B. Number Analogy

Here, numbers are connected through a mathematical rule.

• Example: 6 : 36 :: 9 : ?

First Find Relationship between 6 & 36 . The first number is multiplied by itself 6 × 6 = 36. Now use the same type of relationship as - 9 × 9 = 81 . Therefore, The Answer is 81.

Number analogies may involve:

• Addition
• Subtraction
• Subtraction
• Division
• Squares
• Cubes
• Difference between numbers
• Combination of two or more operations

C. Letter Analogy

• These questions depend on the positions of letters in the English alphabet.
• For example: B : E :: G : ?

First Find Relationship between B & E . Here, B is the 2nd letter and E is the 5th letter. The change is +3 positions. Now use the same type of relationship as - G is the 7th letter. So after adding 3 to G we get , 7 + 3 = 10 → J . Therefore, The Answer is J .

D. Figure Analogy

• In non-verbal reasoning, pictures or geometric figures are used instead of words or numbers. The first two figures show a transformation. You must apply the same transformation to another figure.

The change may involve:

• Rotation
• Reflection
• Movement
• Addition or removal of elements
• Change in direction
• Change in position
• Change in number of shapes
• Change in number of shapes

Common Mistakes

To Solve Analogy Questions

• Think of the first pair as a model.
• First pair → Discover the rule → Apply the same rule to the second pair

But while solving, following mistakes may arise

Mistake 1: Choosing a loosely related answer

• An option may be related to the word but may not follow the same relationship.

Mistake 2: Ignoring the direction

• Teacher : Student is different from Student : Teacher.
• The relationship must be maintained in the same direction.

Mistake 3: Finding a complicated rule too early

• Always test the simplest logical relationship first.

Mistake 4: Forgetting alphabet positions

• For letter analogy, calculate positions rather than guessing from appearance.

Mistake 5: Overlooking multiple operations

• Some number analogies may use more than one mathematical step.

Solved Questions And Answer

Q1. Lion : Cub :: Sheep : ?

  (a) Dog

(b) Stable

(c) Cat

(d) Lamb  

Explanation:

• A cub is the young one of a lion. In the same way, a lamb is the young one of a sheep.
• Relationship: Animal → Name of its young one  
• Answer: (d) Lamb

Q2. Angle : Radian :: Area : ?

(a) Cattle

(b) Odometer

(c) Dearth

(d) Hectares  

Explanation:

• Radian is a unit used to measure an angle. Similarly, hectare is a unit used to measure area.
• Relationship: Physical Quantity → Unit used for its measurement
• Answer: (d) Hectares

Q3.   Melt : Liquid :: Freeze : ?

(a) Ice

(b) Condense

(c) Vapour

(d) Rain

Explanation:

• When something melts, it changes into a liquid. Similarly, when water freezes, it changes into ice.
• Relationship: Process → Result
• Answer: (a) Ice

Q4.  Forecast : Future :: Regret : ?

(a) Present

(b) Atone

(c) Past

(d) Sins

Explanation:

• A forecast is concerned with the future, whereas regret is associated with something that happened in the past.
• Relationship: Action/Feeling → Related Time
• Answer: (c) Past

Q5.  Fear : Threat :: Anger : ?

(a) Compulsion

(b) Panic

(c) Provocation

(d) Force

Explanation:

• A threat can cause fear. In the same way, provocation can cause anger.
• Relationship: Cause → Emotion
• Answer: (c) Provocation

Q6.  Clock : Time :: Thermometer : ?

(a) Heat

(b) Radiation

(c) Energy

(d) Temperature

Explanation:

• A clock is an instrument used to indicate time. Similarly, a thermometer is an instrument used to measure temperature.
• Relationship: Instrument → What it measures
• Answer: (d) Temperature

Q7.  Sculptor : Statue :: Poet : ?

(a) Canvas

(b) Pen

(c) Verse

(d) Chisel

Explanation:

• A sculptor creates a statue. Similarly, a poet creates a verse.
• Relationship: Creator → Creation
• Answer: (c) Verse

Q8.  Fire : Ashes :: Explosion : ?

(a) Flame

(b) Death

(c) Sound

(d) Debris

Explanation:

• Fire may leave behind ashes. Similarly, an explosion may leave behind debris.
• Relationship: Event → Remains/Result
• Answer: (d) Debris

Q9.  Food : Stomach :: Fuel : ?

(a) Plane

(b) Truck

(c) Engine

(d) Automobile

Explanation:

• Food goes into the stomach to provide energy to the body. Similarly, fuel is supplied to an engine to produce power.
• Relationship: Input → Receiving/Using Part
• Answer: (c) Engine

Q10.  Malaria : Disease :: Spear : ?

(a) Wound

(b) Sword

(c) Weapon

(d) Death

Explanation:

• Malaria is a type of disease. Similarly, a spear is a type of weapon.
• Relationship: Example → Category
• Answer: (c) Weapon

Q11.   Bank : River :: Coast : ?

(a) Flood

(b) Waves

(c) Sea

(d) Beach

Explanation:

• A bank forms the land along the side of a river. Similarly, a coast is the land along the edge of the sea.
• Relationship: Boundary/Land → Water Body
• Answer: (c) Sea

Q12.   Drama : Stage :: Tennis : ?

(a) Tournament

(b) Net

(c) Court

(d) Racket

Explanation:

• A drama is performed on a stage. Similarly, tennis is played on a court.
• A drama is performed on a stage. Similarly, tennis is played on a court.
• Answer: (c) Court

Q13.   Dog : Bark :: Goat : ?

(a) Bleat

(b) Howl

(c) Grunt 

d) Bray

Explanation:

• The characteristic sound of a dog is a bark. The characteristic sound of a goat is a bleat.
• Relationship: Animal → Sound
• Answer: (a) Bleat

Q14.  Birth : Death :: Increase : ?

(a) Ease

(b) Decrease

(c) Tease

(d) Cease

Explanation:

• Birth and death are opposite concepts. Similarly, increase and decrease are opposites.
• Relationship: Antonyms
• Answer: (b) Decrease

Q15.  Venerate : Worship :: Extol : ?

(a) Glorify

(b) Homage

(c) Compliment

(d) Recommend

Explanation:

• Venerate means to respect or worship deeply. In the same way, extol means to praise or glorify highly.
• Relationship: Synonyms / Similar Meaning
• Answer: (a) Glorify

Q16.  Paw : Cat :: Hoof : ?

(a) Horse

(b) Lion

(c) Lamb

(d) Elephant

Explanation:

• A paw is a type of foot associated with a cat. Similarly, a hoof is a type of foot associated with a horse.
• Relationship: Body Part → Animal
• Answer: (a) Horse

Q17.  Tractor : Trailer :: Horse : ?

(a) Stable

(b) Cart

(c) Saddle

(d) Engine

Explanation:

• A trailer is attached to or used with a tractor. Similarly, a saddle is placed on and used with a horse.
• Relationship: Object → Accessory used with it
• Answer: (c) Saddle

Q18.  Gun : Bullet :: Chimney : ?

(a) Ground

(b) House

(c) Roof

(d) Smoke

Explanation:

• A bullet passes out of a gun when it is fired. Similarly, smoke passes out through a chimney.
• Relationship: Object → Thing that comes out through it
• Answer: (d) Smoke

Q19.  Car : Garage :: Aeroplane : ?

(a) Hangar

(b) Depot

(c) Port

(d) Harbour

Explanation:

• A car is kept in a garage. Similarly, an aeroplane is kept in a hangar.
• Relationship: Vehicle → Place where it is kept
• Answer: (a) Hangar

Q20.  Candle : Wax :: Paper : ?

(a) Wood

(b) Tree

(c) Bamboo

(d) Pulp

Explanation:

• A candle is made from wax. Similarly, paper is manufactured from pulp.
• Relationship: Product → Material
• Answer: (d) Pulp

Q21.  Ostrich : Bird :: Pomfret : ?

(a) Mammal

(b) Bleat

(c) Fish

(d) Lion

Explanation:

• An ostrich is a member of the bird group. Similarly, pomfret is a member of the fish group.
• Relationship: Individual → Group/Category
• Answer: (c) Fish

Q22.  MF : NG :: LK : ?

(a) ML

(b) NL

(c) LM

(d) KL

Explanation:

• Observe the movement of each letter:
• M → N = +1 & F → G = +1
• So, both letters move one position forward in the alphabet. Apply the same rule:
• L → M & K → L
• Therefore: LK → ML
• Relationship: Each letter moves one position forward.
• Answer: (a) ML

Q23.  15 : 26 :: 35 : ?

(a) 24

(b) 64

(c) 30

(d) 34

Explanation:

• Break the number 15 into its digits and then Square: 1² + 5² = 1 + 25 = 26
• Now apply the same rule to 35 as : 3² + 5² = 9 + 25 = 34
• Relationship: Square the digits and add them.
• Answer: (d) 34

Q24. If CAT : DBU :: DOG : ?

(a) EPH

(b) FQI

(c) DPH

(d) EOG

Solution:

Given, CAT → DBU

C → D (+1)

A → B (+1)

T → U (+1)

Similarly, apply +1 to DOG:

D → E

O → P

G → H

Therefore: DOG → EPH

Answer: (a) EPH

Q25. If MANGO : OGNAM :: APPLE : ?

  (a) ELPPA

(b) ELPAP

(c) EPLPA

(d) LPPAE  

Solution:

Given, MANGO → OGNAM

The word is simply reversed.

M A N G O

↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓

O G N A M

Now: 

A P P L E

↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓

E L P P A

Therefore: APPLE → ELPPA

Answer: (a) ELPPA

Q26.  FAN : 21 :: TEN : ?

  (a) 29

(b) 49

(c) 41

(d) 39

Solution:

Add alphabet positions:

• F + A + N = 6 + 1 + 14 = 21
• Now apply the same rule
• T + E + N = 20 + 5 + 14 = 39
• Answer: (d) 39

Q27). 31 : 10 :: 72 : ?

  (a) 51

(b) 49

(c) 41

(d) 35

Solution:

• 31 = 3² + 1 = 9 + 1 = 10
• Now apply the same rule
• 72 = 7² + 2 = 49 + 2 = 51
• Answer (a) 51

Q28).  5 : 27 :: 9 : ?

  (a) 51

(b) 37

(c) 83

(d) 85

Solution:

• 5 = 5² + 2 = 25 + 2 = 27
• Now apply the same rule
• 9 = 9² + 2 = 81 + 2 = 83
• Answer (c) 83

Q29).  4 : 16 :: 13 : ?

  (a) 121

(b)144

(c) 169

(d) 81

Solution:

• 4² = 16
• Now apply the same rule
• 13² = 169
• Answer: (c) 169

Q30).  65 : 30 :: 98 : ?

  (a) 62

(b) 92

(c) 50

(d) 72

Solution:

• 6 × 5 = 30
• Now apply the same rule
• 9 × 8 = 72
• Answer: (d) 72

Practice Questions

Q1. If DOG : EPH :: CAT : ?

(a) DBU

(b) ECV

(c) BZS

(d) DCT

Q2. If BAT : YZG :: DOG : ?

(a) WLT

(b) XMT

(c) WLG

(d) VKS

Q3. If RAM : SBN :: SUN : ?

(a) TVO

(b) TUN

(c) SVP

(d) UVO

Q4. If PEN : QFO :: BOOK : ?

(a) CPPL

(b) CPNL

(c) BPPK

(d) DQQM

Q5. If LION : MJPO :: TIGER : ?

(a) UJHFS

(b) UJGER

(c) SHFDQ

(d) VJHFS

Q6. If COLD : XLOW :: WARM : ?

(a) DZIN

(b) DZIN

(c) DZIN

(d) DZRM

Q7).  54 : 41 :: 36 : ?

  (a) 55

(b) 45

(c) 60

(d) 35

Q8). 90 : 45 :: 188 : ?

  (a) 94

(b) 74

(c) 80

(d) 92

Q9. PALE : LEAP :: POSH : ?

  (a) POSH

(b) SHPO

(c) SHOP

(d) SOPH

Q10. Eye : See :: Ear : ?

  (a) Speak

(b) Smell

(c) Hear

(d) Touch  

Answers

Q1.  Answer: (a) DBU  

Q2. Answer: (a) WLT  

Q3. Answer: (a) TVO  

Q4. Answer: (a) CPPL  

Q5. Answer: (a) UJHFS  

Q6. Answer: (a) DZIN

Q7. Answer: (b) 45

Hints: 5² + 4² = 25 + 16 = 41 

Q8. Answer:  (a) 94

Hints:  90 ÷ 2 = 45

Q9. Answer:  (c) SHOP 

Hints:  Just Rearrange as PALE → LEAP & use the same rearrangement pattern.

Q10. Answer:  (c) Hear

Important Web Links For You 

Explore More Topics

• Linear Seating Arrangement MCQs with Answers & Detailed Explanations | SSC, Banking, Railway & ADRE Reasoning Questions
• ADRE Current Affairs & GK Questions – Most Important Assam, India & World GK with Answers
• Day and Calendar Questions with Answers & Detailed Explanation for ADRE, SSC, Railway, Banking & Assam Police Exams
• Ranking Test Reasoning – Complete Notes, Formulas, Tricks & Solved Questions
• Analogy Questions and Answers for Competitive Exams
• Study Materials

FAQs

Q1. What is analogy in reasoning?

Ans: Analogy is a reasoning method in which two pairs of words, numbers, letters, or figures follow the same logical relationship.

Q2. How can I solve analogy questions quickly?

Ans: First identify the exact relationship between the first pair, then apply the same rule to the second pair and eliminate options that do not follow the same pattern.