1. Introduction
Analogy is an important topic in the Reasoning section of competitive examinations. The word analogy means similarity or correspondence between two relationships.
In an analogy question, the relationship between the first pair is identified and the same relationship is applied to the second pair.
Basic Form
A : B :: C : ?
It means:
A is related to B in the same way that C is related to the missing term.
Example
Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ?
A doctor works in a hospital.
A teacher works in a school.
Answer: School
2. Main Types of Analogy
Analogy questions can be broadly classified into:
Word Analogy
Semantic Analogy
Number Analogy
Alphabet Analogy
Letter-Number Analogy
Mixed Analogy
General Knowledge Analogy
Part and Whole Analogy
Worker and Workplace Analogy
Worker and Tool Analogy
Object and Function Analogy
Animal and Young One Analogy
Animal and Sound Analogy
Animal and Home Analogy
Synonym Analogy
Antonym Analogy
Cause and Effect Analogy
Product and Raw Material Analogy
Country and Capital Analogy
Instrument and Measurement Analogy
3. Word Analogy
Word analogy is based on the relationship between two words.
Example
Book : Read :: Food : ?
A book is read.
Food is eaten.
Answer: Eat
Example
Eye : See :: Ear : ?
Eye → Seeing
Ear → Hearing
Answer: Hear
4. Object and Function Analogy
Here, the relationship is between an object and its function.
Object. Function
Pen Writing
Knife. Cutting
Needle Sewing
Camera Photography
Clock Showing time
Thermometer Measuring temperature
Barometer. Measuring atmospheric pressure
Telescope. Observing distant objects
Microscope. Magnifying objects
Compass Finding direction
Example
Thermometer : Temperature :: Barometer : ?
Answer: Atmospheric pressure
5. Worker and Workplace Analogy
A profession is related to its usual workplace.
Profession. Workplace
Teacher. School
Doctor. Hospital
Judge Court
Farmer. Field
Scientist. Laboratory
Librarian. Library
Chef. Kitchen
Lawyer. Court
Postman. Post Office
Sailor. Ship
Example
Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ?
Answer: School
6. Worker and Tool Analogy
Here, a person is related to the tool normally used by that person.
Person. Tool
Carpenter. Saw
Tailor. Needle
Farmer. Plough
Writer. Pen
Painter. Brush
Barber. Scissors
Mason. Trowel
Photographer. Camera
Example
Carpenter : Saw :: Tailor : ?
Answer: Needle
7. Part and Whole Analogy
A part is related to the complete object.
Examples
Finger : Hand :: Toe : Foot
Wheel : Car :: Wing : Aeroplane
Chapter : Book :: Room : House
Petal : Flower :: Leaf : Plant
Example
Keyboard : Computer :: Wheel : ?
Answer: Vehicle
8. Animal and Young One Analogy
Animal. Young One
Dog. Puppy
Cat. Kitten
Cow. Calf
Goat. Kid
Sheep. Lamb
Horse. Foal
Lion. Cub
Tiger. Cub
Deer. Fawn
Elephant. Calf
Hen. Chick
Duck. Duckling
Frog. Tadpole
Example
Cow : Calf :: Goat : ?
Answer: Kid
9. Animal and Sound Analogy
Animal. Sound
Dog. Bark
Cat. Meow
Lion. Roar
Tiger. Roar
Snake. Hiss
Horse. Neigh
Cow. Moo
Donkey. Bray
Sheep. Bleat
Elephant. Trumpet
Frog. Croak
Example
Dog : Bark :: Lion : ?
Answer: Roar
10. Animal and Home Analogy
Animal. Home
Lion. Den
Rabbit. Burrow
Bird. Nest
Bee. Hive
Horse. Stable
Dog. Kennel
Cow. Shed
Pig. Sty
Hen. Coop
Spider. Web
Example
Bee : Hive :: Horse : ?
Answer: Stable
11. Synonym Analogy
A synonym analogy is based on words having similar meanings.
Examples
Big : Large :: Small : Little
Happy : Joyful :: Sad : Unhappy
Begin : Start :: End : Finish
Brave : Courageous :: Clever : Intelligent
Important Synonym Pairs
Big — Large
Small — Little
Happy — Joyful
Sad — Unhappy
Fast — Quick
Begin — Start
End — Finish
Brave — Courageous
Clever — Intelligent
Silent — Quiet
Rich — Wealthy
Honest — Truthful
12. Antonym Analogy
An antonym analogy is based on opposite meanings.
Examples
Hot : Cold :: Day : Night
Victory : Defeat :: Success : Failure
Rich : Poor :: Strong : Weak
Important Antonym Pairs
Word. Opposite
Hot. Cold
Day. Night
Light. Dark
High. Low
Rich. Poor
Strong. Weak
Early. Late
Old. Young
Hard. Soft
Success. Failure
Victory. Defeat
Buy. Sell
Give. Take
Accept. Reject
13. Cause and Effect Analogy
One word causes or produces the other.
Examples
Fire : Smoke
Fire produces smoke.
Study : Knowledge
Study increases knowledge.
Exercise : Fitness
Exercise contributes to fitness.
Example
Rain : Flood :: Fire : ?
Rain may cause flood.
Fire may cause destruction.
The exact answer depends on the options.
14. Product and Raw Material Analogy
The relationship is between a product and the material from which it is made.
Examples
Cloth : Cotton
Cotton is used to make cloth.
Paper : Wood
Wood is an important raw material for conventional paper production.
Furniture : Wood
Jewellery : Gold
Example
Cloth : Cotton :: Jewellery : ?
Answer: Gold
15. Country and Capital Analogy
These questions use general knowledge.
Examples
India : New Delhi :: Bangladesh : ?
Answer: Dhaka
Japan : Tokyo :: France : ?
Answer: Paris
Important Pairs
Country. Capital
India. New Delhi
Bangladesh. Dhaka
Nepal. Kathmandu
Bhutan. Thimphu
China. Beijing
Japan. Tokyo
France. Paris
Russia. Moscow
USA. Washington, D.C.
UK. London
16. Country and Currency Analogy
Examples
India : Rupee :: USA : ?
Answer: Dollar
Japan : Yen :: Bangladesh : ?
Answer: Taka
Important pairs:
India → Rupee
USA → Dollar
UK → Pound Sterling
Japan → Yen
Bangladesh → Taka
China → Yuan/Renminbi
Russia → Ruble
Nepal → Nepalese Rupee
17. Instrument and Measurement Analogy
Instrument
Measures/Records
Thermometer. Temperature
Barometer. Atmospheric pressure
Hygrometer. Humidity
Anemometer. Wind speed
Rain gauge. Rainfall
Seismograph. Earthquake vibrations
Ammeter. Electric current
Voltmeter. Voltage
Lactometer. Relative density of milk
Hydrometer. Relative density of liquids
Example
Thermometer : Temperature :: Hygrometer : ?
Answer: Humidity
18. Number Analogy
Number analogy is one of the most important forms of analogy in reasoning.
Basic Form
a : b :: c : ?
You need to discover the mathematical relationship between a and b.
19. Addition-Based Analogy
Example
7 : 12 :: 15 : ?
7 + 5 = 12
Therefore:
15 + 5 = 20
Answer: 20
20. Subtraction-Based Analogy
Example
20 : 15 :: 30 : ?
20 − 5 = 15
Therefore:
30 − 5 = 25
Answer: 25
21. Multiplication-Based Analogy
Example
6 : 24 :: 9 : ?
6 × 4 = 24
9 × 4 = 36
Answer: 36
22. Division-Based Analogy
Example
40 : 8 :: 60 : ?
40 ÷ 5 = 8
60 ÷ 5 = 12
Answer: 12
23. Square-Based Analogy
Example
5 : 25 :: 8 : ?
5² = 25
8² = 64
Answer: 64
24. Cube-Based Analogy
Example
3 : 27 :: 4 : ?
3³ = 27
4³ = 64
Answer: 64
25. Double and Half Analogy
Example
8 : 16 :: 15 : ?
8 × 2 = 16
15 × 2 = 30
Answer: 30
Another example:
20 : 10 :: 36 : ?
20 ÷ 2 = 10
36 ÷ 2 = 18
26. Difference-Based Analogy
Sometimes the difference between numbers is important.
Example
12 : 20 :: 25 : ?
12 + 8 = 20
Therefore:
25 + 8 = 33
27. Product of Digits
Sometimes the answer is obtained by multiplying the digits.
Example
24 : 8 :: 36 : ?
2 × 4 = 8
3 × 6 = 18
Answer: 18
28. Sum of Digits
Example
25 : 7 :: 38 : ?
2 + 5 = 7
3 + 8 = 11
Answer: 11
29. Mixed Mathematical Analogy
Some questions require more than one operation.
Example
3 : 11 :: 5 : ?
3 × 3 + 2 = 11
Therefore:
5 × 5 + 2 = 27
Answer: 27
30. Alphabet Analogy
Alphabet analogy is based on the positions of letters.
Alphabet Positions
Letter
Position
Letter
Position
A1
N14
B2
O15
C3
P16
D4
Q17
E5
R18
F6
S19
G7
T20
H8
U21
I9
V22
J10
W23
K11
X24
L12
Y25
M13
Z26
31. Forward Alphabet Analogy
Example
A : C :: D : ?
A → C = +2
D → F = +2
Answer: F
Another Example
B : F :: C : ?
B → F = +4
C → G = +4
Answer: G
32. Backward Alphabet Analogy
Example
F : C :: H : ?
F → C = −3
H → E = −3
Answer: E
33. Reverse Alphabet
In reverse order:
A ↔ Z
B ↔ Y
C ↔ X
D ↔ W
E ↔ V
F ↔ U
G ↔ T
H ↔ S
I ↔ R
J ↔ Q
K ↔ P
L ↔ O
M ↔ N
Example
A : Z :: B : ?
Answer: Y
34. Letter Pair Analogy
Example
AB : CD :: EF : ?
A → C
B → D
Therefore:
E → G
F → H
Answer: GH
35. Letter Coding Analogy
Each letter may be shifted by a fixed number.
Example
CAT : DBU :: DOG : ?
Each letter moves one step forward:
C → D
A → B
T → U
Therefore:
D → E
O → P
G → H
Answer: EPH
36. Letter-Number Analogy
Letters may be converted into their numerical positions.
Example
A : 1 :: D : ?
A = 1
D = 4
Example
C : 3 :: H : ?
H = 8
37. Number-Letter Analogy
The question may provide a number and ask for its corresponding letter.
Example
1 : A :: 4 : ?
4 = D
Answer: D
Example
13 : M :: 20 : ?
20 = T
Answer: T
38. Important General Knowledge Analogies
These are especially useful for competitive examinations.
Examples
India : New Delhi :: Assam : Dispur
Assam : Guwahati :: Meghalaya : Shillong
India : Rupee :: Japan : Yen
Lok Sabha : Speaker :: Rajya Sabha : Chairman
Supreme Court : Chief Justice :: High Court : Chief Justice
Parliament : Legislation :: Judiciary : Justice
39. Geography-Based Analogy
Examples
Ganga : India :: Nile : Egypt
Sahara : Africa :: Gobi : Asia
Himalayas : India :: Alps : Europe
Such questions test geographical relationships.
40. Science-Based Analogy
Examples
Heart : Blood :: Lungs : Air
Kidney : Urine :: Lungs : Carbon dioxide
Chlorophyll : Photosynthesis :: Haemoglobin : Blood
Neuron : Nervous system :: Nephron : Kidney
41. Important Political Science Analogies
Useful for ADRE and other examinations:
Parliament : Law-making :: Judiciary : Justice
Executive : Administration :: Legislature : Legislation
Election Commission : Elections :: UPSC : Recruitment
President : Union :: Governor : State
Lok Sabha : Speaker :: Rajya Sabha : Chairman
42. Economics-Based Analogy
Examples
RBI : Monetary Policy :: Government : Fiscal Policy
Bank : Deposit :: Insurance Company : Premium
Demand : Consumer :: Supply : Producer
These questions test conceptual relationships.
43. How to Solve Analogy Questions
Follow these steps.
Step 1: Study the first pair
Suppose:
Teacher : School
Ask:
What is the exact relationship?
Answer: Place of work
Step 2: Apply the same relationship
Suppose:
Doctor : ?
Doctor's place of work = Hospital
Step 3: Check the options
Select the option that follows the same relationship, not merely a related word.
44. Number Analogy Solving Strategy
For number questions, use this order:
First check:
Addition
Subtraction
Multiplication
Division
Then check:
Square
Cube
Double/Half
Difference
Sum of digits
Product of digits
Combination of operations
Example
8 : 64 :: 6 : ?
First check square:
8² = 64
Therefore:
6² = 36
45. Alphabet Analogy Solving Strategy
For alphabet questions:
Step 1
Convert letters into numbers.
Example:
D = 4
Step 2
Find the difference.
Example:
D → H
4 → 8
Difference = +4
Step 3
Apply the same difference.
If:
D : H :: F : ?
F = 6
6 + 4 = 10 = J
Answer: J
46. Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using a different relationship
If:
Pen : Write
you should not use "Pen is made of plastic" for the next pair.
Mistake 2: Ignoring direction
Teacher : Student is different from Student : Teacher.
Mistake 3: Choosing a broadly related option
The correct answer must have the same specific relationship.
Mistake 4: Overcomplicating number questions
Always test simple operations before complicated patterns.
Mistake 5: Forgetting alphabet positions
Memorise:
A=1, B=2, C=3 ... Z=26
47. Quick Revision Table
Relationship
Example
Person–Place
Doctor : Hospital
Person–Tool
Carpenter : Saw
Object–Function
Pen : Writing
Animal–Young One
Cow : Calf
Animal–Sound
Dog : Bark
Animal–Home
Bee : Hive
Part–Whole
Finger : Hand
Synonym
Big : Large
Antonym
Hot : Cold
Cause–Effect
Fire : Smoke
Product–Material
Cloth : Cotton
Country–Capital
India : New Delhi
Country–Currency
India : Rupee
Instrument–Measurement
Thermometer : Temperature
Number–Square
5 : 25
Number–Cube
3 : 27
Alphabet–Position
A : 1
Reverse Alphabet
A : Z
48. Practice Set – ADRE Level
Q1. Book : Reading :: Food : ?
A. Cooking
B. Eating
C. Selling
D. Buying
Q2. Doctor : Hospital :: Judge : ?
A. School
B. Court
C. Office
D. Bank
Q3. 7 : 49 :: 9 : ?
A. 18
B. 27
C. 72
D. 81
Q4. A : D :: F : ?
A. G
B. H
C. I
D. J
Q5. Cow : Calf :: Sheep : ?
A. Kid
B. Lamb
C. Foal
D. Cub
Q6. Pen : Writing :: Knife : ?
A. Cutting
B. Reading
C. Drawing
D. Painting
Q7. Bee : Hive :: Horse : ?
A. Stable
B. Den
C. Nest
D. Burrow
Q8. 24 : 8 :: 36 : ?
A. 6
B. 9
C. 12
D. 18
Q9. Hot : Cold :: Victory : ?
A. Success
B. Defeat
C. Achievement
D. Award
Q10. C : F :: H : ?
A. J
B. K
C. L
D. M
Answers
B — Eating
B — Court
D — 81
C — I
B — Lamb
A — Cutting
A — Stable
B — 9
B — Defeat
B — K
49. Final Exam Tips
For ADRE, SSC, Banking, Railway and similar examinations:
Understand the relationship before looking at the answer.
For numbers, check simple mathematical operations first.
For letters, use A=1 to Z=26.
Learn common GK relationships.
Pay attention to the direction of the relationship.
Eliminate options that do not follow the exact pattern.
Do not assume that the most obvious association is always correct.
Practice different types because analogy questions can change their format.
One-Line Formula
Analogy = Identify the relationship in the first pair + Apply exactly the same relationship to the second pair.
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