Analogies

An analogy is a logical way of making a comparison. Here is an expression that shows a relationship:

hand is to arm, as foot is to leg

An analogy compares relationships between two different sets. In the example, the two sets are hand/arm and foot/leg. Each set of two items has a special relationship. The items that are related may be numbers, figures, or words. The subject of the sets can be different, but the items in one set must be related to each other in the same way as the items in the other set.

Tip: Look for the relationship in the first set and then look at the second set of choices for a similar relationship. Examples of relationships include

• part of a whole
• opposites
• the same
• time sequence (for example: before or after)

Use the following list of words to complete the analogies:

alter

design

model

patent

creative

feedback

optimist

Wright

1. Pessimist is to doubtful, as _______________ is to hopeful.

2. ______________ is to inventor, as brave is to explorer.

3. Bell is to telephone, as _________________ is to airplane.

4. Change is to _________________, as maintain is to keep.

5. ________________ is to inventor, as copyright is to author.

6. Scale is to __________________, as criterion is to design.

7. Brainstorm is to evaluate, as _________________ is to prototype.

8. __________________ is to survey, as identity is to trademark.

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Answer Key

1. Pessimist is to doubtful, as optimist is to hopeful.
2. Creative is to inventor, as brave is to explorer.
3. Bell is to telephone, as Wright is to airplane.
4. Change is to alter, as maintain is to keep.
5. Patent is to inventor, as copyright is to author.
6. Scale is to model, as criterion is to design.
7. Brainstorm is to evaluate, as design is to prototype.
8. Feedback is to survey, as identity is to trademark.