Analogies: find the link
Strategy card
Analogies test whether you can name a relationship precisely.
- Step 1: Build a precise bridge sentence for the first pair.
- Step 2: Decide the relationship type (degree, function, part-whole, cause-effect, category).
- Step 3: Apply it to the third word; predict before reading options.
- Step 4: Eliminate options that only share a topic, not the relationship.
Tip: Watch for direction: "puppy : dog" is not the same as "dog : puppy".
Worked example
spoon is to stir as pen is to ___?
spoon→stirpen→?
- A: magnify
- B: write (the answer)
- C: sew
- D: finger
- E: like
Why: You use a spoon to stir. In the same way, you use a pen to write.
Your turn
Your turn 1 of 3
lens is to camera as stanza is to ___?
lens→camerastanza→?
Your turn 2 of 3
swan is to cygnet as kangaroo is to ___?
swan→cygnetkangaroo→?
Your turn 3 of 3
heat is to melting as rain is to ___?
heat→meltingrain→?
Keep practicing
Grown-ups: Discuss how two different things can share the same structure. Parent guide
Next lesson: Sorting and odd one out