Sentence Completion & Analogy

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I. Sentence Completions
II. Analogy
III. Antonyms
.

II. Analogy

II. ANALOGIES

A. Introduction and Basic Strategy
B. Summary of general strategy for solving analogy problems
C. Common relationships
D. Practice section
E. Additional hints for solving analogy problems

A. Introduction and Basic Strategy

      The analogy section tests not only your vocabulary skills, but also your ability to identify the relationship between words. You are given a pair of words that have a certain logical relationship to each other. You then must choose a pair of words that has the same logical relationship as the original pair. You are given five pairs of words from which to choose. Let's look at an extremely simple example.

1. KITTEN : CAT ::

A) bird : flock
B) duck : goose
C) puppy : dog
D) mare : horse
E) child : adult

      What are we asked to do? To tackle analogy questions, first read the initial pair of words, substituting words for the colons. The first colon (:) is translated "is to" and the two colons (::) are translated "as". So for this example, we read the question as "kitten is to cat as…" Next, we need to define the relationship between this pair of words. What is the relationship between kitten and cat? A kitten is a young cat. So, the relationship between the words is that the first word of the pair is the name for the young of the second word. Because analogy problems require us to look for a pair of words that have the same relationship has the initial two words, we are looking for a pair in which the first word of the pair is the name for the young of the second word. Once you have determined the relationship between the given pair of words and state it in your mind in sentence form (a kitten is a young cat), read through the answer choices substituting the possible pairs into the same sentence you have created to describe the initial pair. Let's work through the answer choices. Is a bird a young flock? No, this does not make sense. The relationship for this pair is that of a group of birds are called a flock. Is a duck a young goose? No, these are different animals. Is a puppy a young dog? Yes, this makes sense, but let's still look at the remaining choices to be sure. Is a mare a young horse? No, a mare is a female horse, young or old. Is a child a young adult? Now this one may seem a little tricky, because a child will eventually age to become an adult, but we are not looking for the relationship of young to old, we are instead looking for the relationship of young of some kind of animal to that animal. If instead the answer choice was child : human, then this relationship would be similar to that of kitten : cat, since child is the young of humans, and we would need to consider this choice further. In this case, however, the pair of words that exhibits the most similar logical relationship is choice C, giving us the completed analogy, kitten is to cat as puppy is to dog.

        Note: it is extremely important to substitute the pairs of words into your sentence in the same order in which they are given. For example, if the answer choice was dog : puppy, we would substitute this into our original sentence as a dog is a young puppy, and this would not make sense. Maintaining the same order for the two words in a pair when substituting into your sentence describing the relationship is a very critical point to remember when solving these problems.

The logical relationship between the given pair of words is sometimes obvious, but other times it may be more obscure, requiring you to be able to discern subtleties of meaning. Even with the most difficult analogies, your strategy should be to create a sentence that defines the logical relationship between the given pair of words. The best sentence will explain the relationship explicitly and precisely. The more precise your sentence, the easier it will be to select the answer choice with the two words that have the most similar logical relationship. If your sentence is too general, it is possible that more than one of the answer choices would fit into that sentence. If more than one answer choice fits into your sentence, read through the original pair of words again and make your sentence more specific. Let's look at an example.

2. CARPENTER : HAMMER ::

A. painter : paint
B. pilot : airplane
C. philosopher : books
D. plumber : wrench
E. chef : apron

     We are trying to create a sentence that describes a relationship between the words carpenter and hammer. Let's say we use the sentence, "A carpenter uses a hammer." Now let's look at the answer choices. Does a painter use paint? Yes. Does a pilot use an airplane? Well, a pilot flies an airplane, so maybe this could be thought of as a type of use. Does a philosopher use books? Well, a philosopher might read books, so this might be a use. Does a plumber use a wrench? Yes. Does a chef use an apron? Again, yes. You see that by using an imprecise sentence to describe our original pair of words, we have not been very successful in eliminating incorrect word pairs. If we go back to the original word pair, we can make our sentence more precise as, "A carpenter uses a hammer as a tool." Now if we work through the answer choices substituting each word pair into our new sentence, we see that the only pair that can be substituted is choice D, a plumber uses a wrench as a tool. Thus, our analogy becomes carpenter is to hammer as plumber is to wrench.

B. Summary of general strategy for solving analogy problems

Read the initial pair of words, substituting words for the colons. The first colon (:) is translated "is to" and the two colons (::) are translated "as".

Define the relationship between the pair of words.

Once you have determined the relationship between the given pair of words, state it in your mind in sentence form.

Read through the answer choices substituting the possible pairs into the same sentence you have created to describe the initial pair.

If you cannot eliminate answer choices, or more than one answer choice seems to fit into the sentence you have created, make your sentence describing the relationship between the two words more precise and work through the answer choices again.

C. Common relationships

     Of course, your sentence describing the relationship between the two words need not only be precise, but also must be accurate and logical. It is to your advantage that the logical relationships between words in the analogy section are all clear-cut, common sense relationships that can be easily deduced, provided of course, that you know the definitions of the words you are trying to compare. What are some of the logical relationships that appear often in the analogy section of the test? This section identifies relationships commonly seen in the GRE analogy section and provides examples of each.

Synonyms
Synonyms are words that have the same or similar meanings. When you are presented with a pair of synonyms, you will then look for a pair of words that also have the same or similar meanings. For example:

MOROSE : SATURNINE ::
A. reputable : elusive
B. antiquated : modern
C. depressed: ecstatic
D. extemporaneous : impromptu
E. disconcerting : prearranged

Morose describes someone who is gloomy or melancholy; saturnine is synonymous with morose. The word pair in choice A lack an immediately obvious relationship, while choices B and C are clearly antonyms, words opposite in meaning. In choice D, extemporaneous and impromptu are synonyms; both words describe action that is spoken or performed with little preparation, unrehearsed. Choice E presents two words that could be considered antonyms. The correct choice is D.
Antonyms
Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings. For example, hot and cold are antonyms, as are east and west. When the two words in the initial pair are antonyms, you are looking for another pair of words that are opposite in meaning to each other.

PERPLEXING : EXPLICABLE ::
A. diligent : industrious
B. zealous : indifferent
C. incorrigible : complex
D. resolute : unyielding
E. mysterious : elusive

Something that is perplexing is difficult to explain, or inexplicable. Explicable describes something that can be explained. Thus, these two words are antonyms. Which of the word pairs in the answer choices are antonyms? Only choice B. Someone who is zealous cares very strongly about something. In contrast, someone who is indifferent does not care. The word pairs in choices A, D, and E are synonyms; the relationship between the words in choice C is unclear.
Degree of intensity
These type of analogies contain a pair of words that are similar in meaning (like synonyms), but one word is more intense than the first. For example, in the pair jog : sprint, both words describe running, but a jog is a very slow run, while a sprint is a full-speed, extremely fast run.

THRIFTY : MISERLY ::
A. enthusiastic : fanatical
B. faithful : kind
C. comprehensive :inclusive
D. virtuous : wholesome
E. admonish : warn

Miserly describes a person who is extremely thrifty, or frugal. Similarly, fanatical is an extreme form of being enthusiastic. Choices C, D, and E are word pairs of synonyms; the relationship between the words in choice B is unclear.

Part to whole
In this type of analogy, the first word is part of the second word (or vice versa). For example in the word pair star : constellation, a group of stars makes up a constellation.

SCENE : PLAY ::
A. paragraph : essay
B. cast : actor
C. drama : comedy
D. symphony : orchestra
E. dictator : oppressed
A series of scenes makes up a dramatic play. Likewise, an essay is composed of a series of paragraphs. Choice B may be compelling at first glance. Indeed, the relationship between cast and actor is one of part to whole, but in the opposite direction: a cast is composed of actors (this is whole : part). The word pairs in choices C, D, and E are not related by part to whole.
Actor to action
This kind of analogy links a person or object with the action they commonly perform. Common examples would be professions, and the jobs that people in those professions perform. For example, in the word pair teacher : educate, a teacher's job is to educate.

MECHANIC : REPAIR
A. arbitrator : judge
B. direction : orient
C. lawyer : legislate
D. musician : orchestra
E. painter : mural

A mechanic works to repair things that are broken, while an arbitrator judges or decides when there is a dispute. NOTE: remember when working analogies of this type that you are looking for the word pair in which the action most explicitly describes the major activity of the actor. That is to say, although you could envision circumstances in which a lawyer might work to legislate if she were also serving in some governmental role, but this would not be her primary action as a lawyer. Always look for the most simple and direct way to describe the relationship between the two words of the initial pair.
Cause and effect
For this type of relationship, one of the words describes a condition or action, while the other word describes an response to that action or condition.

SHIVER : COLD ::
A. tremble : fear
B. relax : fatigue
C. stifle : sneeze
D. tickle : scratch
E. irritate : bother

A shiver is a response to the cold, while tremble is a response to fear.
Member and class
In this type of analogy, one word is the element of a class that the other word describes. For example, starling : bird means that starling is a kind of bird. An appropriate matching pair might be tuna : fish.

SONNET : POEM ::
A. book : novel
B. theater : play
C. ballet : dance
D. song : chanteuse
E. artist : sculptor

Sonnet is a kind of poem, using a particular form. Similarly, ballet is one form of dance.
Definition
This type of analogy problem present two words in which one of the words can be used to define the other.

ASCETIC: SELF-DENIAL ::
A. nationalist : orthodoxy
B. philanthropist : altruism
C. writer : publication
D. traitor : allegiance
E. general : soldier

An ascetic is one who practices self-denial. Likewise, a philanthropist practices altruism.
Function
In this type of analogy, the relationship between the two words is a functional one. For example, in the word pair safety goggles : eyes, the safety goggles serve to protect the eyes.
MNEMONIC : MEMORY ::
A. neurological : brain
B. auspicious : beginning
C. speech : lesson
D. ruse : exposure
E. training : skill

A mnemonic is something that can be used to improve memory. Similarly, training can be used to improve skill.
Symbol and representation
In this type of analogy, one word stands for, or represents, a concept or thing. Common symbols include punctuation marks. For example, period : stop :: comma : pause. Other examples are objects that now represent actions, such as a white flag indicating surrender.

LAUREL WREATH : VICTORY ::
A. honor : pride
B. olive branch : peace
C. parentheses : continuous
D. light : darkness
E. icon : statue

A laurel wreath is a symbol of victory, while an olive branch is a symbol of peace.

D. Practice section
The best way to learn how to solve analogy problems is to work through lots of examples. By doing this, you will familiarize yourself with the various relationships most commonly seen on the GRE.

ARID : DRY ::

A) acrid : tart
B) distant : removed
C) acrimonious : quarrel
D) damp : drenched
E) saturated : wet

The relationship between arid and dry is one of degree of intensity. Aridity is an intense form of dryness, and saturated is an intense form of wetness. Don't be misled by choice D. These two words are also related by degree of intensity but in the opposite direction: the less intense is the first word in the pair and the more intense word is the second. The correct choice is (E).

BELLICOSE : PACIFIC ::

A) sarcastic : pugilistic
B) beauty : peace
C) tempestuous : stormy
D) considerate : sympathetic
E) cacophonous : harmonious

The relationship here is one of antonyms. Bellicose means war-like, while pacific means peace-loving. Which of the other word pairs are antonyms? Only (E): cacophonous describes jarring, discordant sound and harmonious describes pleasing sounds.

SWAN : CYGNET ::
A) lion : pride
B) goose : gosling
C) bevy : beauties
D) swan : genus
E) foal : horse

The correct answer is (B). The relationship here is one of parent to offspring--a cygnet is a baby swan. While choice (E) also contain two words that have the parent-offspring relationship, the words are reversed (offspring to parent instead of parent to offspring like the initial pair of words.)

OSTEOPATH : BONE ::
A) physician : medicine
B) conductor : lightening
C) dermatologist : skin
D) sanguine : blood
E) building : foundation

The relationship here is person to the object of study (medical specialist to body part treated); the correct choice is (C) since a dermatologist treats the skin.

FICKLE : DECISIVE ::
A) laughter : joy
B) agitated : uneasy
C) capricious : fixed
D) elemental : primary
E) biased : judgmental

Something or someone who is fickle is not decisive. Likewise, something that is capricious is not fixed (C).

CONTENT : EUPHORIC ::
A. upset : irritated
B. mournful : oblivious
C. passionate : appreciative
D. unhappy : miserable
E. vocal : quiet

This is a degree of intensity analogy. Someone who is euphoric is extremely content, while someone who is miserable is extremely euphoric. Note that the word pair in choice C also have a degree of intensity relationship, however they are in the reverse order (the first word is more intense than the second word, unlike the original pair of words, so this is not the correct answer, which is D).

NORTH : BOREAL ::
A) west : occidental
B) global : universal
C) forest : desert
D) latitude : equator
E) west : east

This is a definitional analogy: boreal describes the north, as occidental describes the west (A).

FERTILIZER : GROWTH
A. antibiotic : bacteria
B. water : faucet
C. disease : cure
D. yeast : leavening
E. net : fish

Fertilizer is used to stimulate growth, while yeast is used for stimulating leavening (rising)- choice D.

BOTANY : PLANTS ::
A. astronomy : stars
B. medicine : analgesic
C. teacher : class
D. disease : etiology
E. event : action

Botany is the study of plants, as astronomy is the study of stars. In choice D, etiology is the study of disease, but these words are in the reverse order from the original pair.

WASP : INSECT
A. snake : cobra
B. bird : mammal
C. turtle : reptile
D. lion : tiger
E. fish : whale

This is a member and class type of analogy. A wasp is a kind of insect, as a turtle is a kind of reptile (C).

NAÏVE :: EXPERIENCE ::
A. unschooled : education
B. rude : ill-mannered
C. miserly : money
D. pristine : elegance
E. mournful : humility

This is a definitional type of analogy. Someone who is naïve lacks experience. Likewise, someone who is unschooled (A) lacks an education.

GUZZLE : DRINK ::

A. gorge : eat
B. imbibe : inhale
C. saunter : walk
D. expel : admit
E. advanced : primitive

This is a degree of intensity analogy. To guzzle is to drink a lot, rapidly. Likewise, to gorge is to eat intensely.

COMPOSURE : EQUANIMITY ::
A. passion : apathy
B. solitude : privacy
C. destiny : randomness
D. fear : surprise
E. illusory : predictable

Composure and equanimity are synonyms describing a calm or peaceful state of mind, as solitude and privacy are synonyms describing the state of being along or separate from others.

NEBULOUS : DEFINITION ::

A. flawless : perfection
B. fraudulent : authenticity
C. deceitful : intent
D. amoral : nefarious
E. dominant : respected

Something that is nebulous is hazy or vague, lacking in definition. Similarly, something that is fraudulent is lacking in authenticity.

HERMETIC : AIR ::
A. porous : liquid
B. desert : sand
C. tank : fuel
D. autoclave : sterile
E. opaque : light

Something that is hermetic is completely sealed against the escape or entry of air. Likewise, something that is opaque blocks light completely (E).

DEADLY : PERNICIOUS ::
A. churlish : boorish
B. suspicious : abandonment
C. condescend : support
D. equivocate : decisive
E. daring : greed

Deadly and pernicious are synonyms. The only other pair of synonyms is choice A (churlish and boorish), which describes someone who is vulgar and rude.

QUILT : FABRIC ::
A. fabric : tapestry
B. portrait : paint
C. manuscript : author
D. mosaic : tile
E. grain : sand

A quilt is made up of many pieces of fabric, as mosaic is made up of many pieces of tile.

SPLINTER : WOOD ::
A. shard : glass
B. bread : loaf
C. rock : stone
D. clay : earth
E. lumber : tree

A splinter is a sharp piece of wood, while a shard is a sharp piece of glass.

SPECTRUM : COLOR ::
A. dark : light
B. wave : amplitude
C. scale : tone
D. form : function
E. rainbow : thunderstorm

This is a part to whole analogy. The spectrum is made up of a series of colors in a particular order. A musical scale is a series of tones in a particular arrangement.

More Practice Questions

1. OSTEOPATH : BONE ::
A) physician : medicine
B) conductor : lightening
C) dermatologist : skin
D) artery : blood
E) lumberjack : tree

The relationship here is person to tool (specialist to body part treated); the correct choice is (C) since a dermatologist treats the skin.

2. ARID : DRY ::
A) acrid : tart
B) humid : damp
C) acrimonious : quarrel
D) sec : saturated
E) saturated : wet

The relationship here is one of intensity to condition. Aridity is an intense form of dryness, and saturated is an intense form of wetness. The correct choice is (E).

3. PERAMBULATE : WALK ::
A) gallop : trot
B) saunter : stroll
C) gyrate : twist
D) amble : path
E) baby carriage : walk

The relationship here is that of intensity to condition Perambulate is a leisurely walk, and a saunter is a leisurely stroll. Thus, the correct choice is (B).

4. NOCTURNAL : DIURNAL ::
A) nightly : daily
B) dark : light
C) black : white
D) sunset : sunrise
E) opalescent : iridescent

The relationship here is that of opposite portions of the day. Nocturnal means nightly; diurnal means daily. Thus, (A) is the answer.

5. OPTOMETRIST : OPHTHALMOLOGIST ::
A) nurse : physician
B) physician : surgeon
C) urologist : gynecologist
D) optician : obstetrician
E) cardiologist : physicist

The relationship here is more complex. It is one of specialist, who can diagnose and treat a patient with drugs, to specialist who can operate. The only other such relationship is (B).

6. BELLICOSE : PACIFIC
A) sarcastic : pugilistic
B) beauty : peace
C) tempestuous : Atlantic
D) horrific : sympathetic
E) cacophony : euphony

The relationship here is one of opposites with the noisy nature of war to the pleasant nature of peace. Thus the answer is (E) since cacophony is noise and euphony is a pleasant sound.

7. EPIDERMIS : HUMAN ::
A) scale : snake
B) tree : bark
C) bird : feather
D) carapace : turtle
E) hump : camel

The relationship here is one of part to whole. The epidermis (skin) covers a human completely. Neither (B) nor (C) can be correct since the order is wrong. Thus the answer is (A) since scales do cover a snake completely.

8. ACQUIESCENT : REBEL ::
A) accepting : taking
B) courteous : rude
C) unctuous : poltergeist
D) charismatic : pedant
E) luminosity : lamp

The relationship here is not just one of opposites; it is characteristic of persons. The answer is (D) since a pedant is a dry, boring teacher who certainly would never be charismatic.

9. ARCHITECT : BLUEPRINT ::
A) composer : score
D) engineer : bridge
C) optician : spectacles
D) beautician : cosmetics
E) doctor : stethoscope

The relationship here is one of person to tool--specifically a written tool. Thus, the answer is (A).

10. PENCIL : GRAPHITE ::
A) pen : plastic
B) house : mortar
C) gunpowder : cordite
D) car : engine
E) dress : Woolite

The relationship here is one of tool to the product that makes it work. Thus, the answer is (C). A house does not work with mortar, and a pen does not work with plastic in order to write.

Practice Set 1

1. SWAN : CYGNET ::
A) lion : pride
B) goose : gosling
C) bevy : beauties
D) swan : genus
E) foal : horse

2. COMMANDEER : STEAL ::
A) legal : illegal
B) borrow : purchase
C) purloin : purchase
D) steal : fleece
E) takeover : buy

3. FICKLE : STABLE ::
A) laughter : barn
B) equine : horse
C) capricious : fixed
D) elemental : fundamental
E) idiot : judge

4. ARTICULATE : SPEAK ::
A) exacerbate : cure
B) inanimate : dead
C) reanimate : alive
D) manipulate : control
E) differentiate : alter

5. HEN : BROOD ::
A) cattle : drive
B) scouts : troop
C) bees : swarm
D) mother : nurslings
E) sheep : flock

6. NORTH : BOREAL ::
A) west : occidental
B) orient : east
C) austral : south
D) southeast : Arizona
E) west : California

7. SPELUNKER : CAVE ::
A) enemy : hostile
B) father : sire
C) archaeologist : fossil
D) gardener : garden
E) astronomer : heavens

8. CELL : BODY ::
A) roe : fish
B) word : dictionary
C) teeth : mouth
D) odometer : speed
E) chronometer : time

9. VERTIGO : HEIGHT ::
A) xenophobia : fear
B) triskaidekaphobia : numbers
C) agoraphobia : space
D) claustrophobia : breathing
E) paranoia : morbidity

1. (B) The relationship here is one of parent to offspring--a cygnet is a baby swan. (E) is offspring to parent and (A) and (C) refer to groups.

2. (A) The relationship here is one of intent. To commandeer something is to take it legally; whereas, to steal something is to do it illegally. The only pair that shows this relationship is (A).

3. (C) The relationship here is one of opposites. Although (D) is opposite, it does not also show the idea of something that changes and something that is fixed.

4. (D) The relationship here is one of degree.

5. (D) The relationship here is one of parent to offspring.

6. (A) The relationship here is one of direction with its latinate equivalent. (B) and (C) do give that relationship, but they are in the wrong order.

7. (E) The relationship here is one of person to place of exploration. (C) cannot be correct since an archaeologist explores for fossils, not in a fossil. The answer is (E) because an astronomer does explores the heavens in the same way as a spelunker explores a cave.

8. (B) The relationship here is one of part to whole.

9. (C) The relationship here is one of Greek "fear of" to the actual fear. (A), (B), and (D) are not accurate or precise enough.

F. Additional hints for solving analogy problems

The basic strategies outlined above rely on your ability to discern the meaning of all the given words in the original pair of words as well as the answer choices. What if you don't know some of the words in the answer choices? First, eliminate any answer choices that you know do not fit into your sentence describing how the original words relate to each other. Also eliminate any word pairs that seem to have no clear relationship to each other. Careful: before eliminating a word pair that seem to lack a relationship, consider alternate meanings for each of the words in question. If you still cannot find any pair that seems to fit into the same relationship as the original pair of words, go back to the original sentence you created to describe the relationship between these words. Is the relationship you described reasonable and clear? Can you make it more explicit or precise? As with all the question types on the verbal section of the GRE, improving your vocabulary will greatly help you answer questions correctly. However, by familiarizing yourself with the most common analogy relationships and learning how to carefully construct sentences that precisely define the relationship between words will help you master the analogy portion of the test.

III. Antonyms >>

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