Verbal Reasoning · Words

Analogies & word relationships 11+ practice

Identify the exact relationship in one pair and reproduce it in another.

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The key idea

Understand the rule first

Turn the first pair into a short relationship sentence, including direction. Apply the same sentence to the second pair and reject options that are merely associated.

Worked example

PUPPY is to DOG as CALF is to ___.

A puppy is the young of a dog.
Keep the direction: young animal to adult.
A calf is the young of a cow.

COW

Watch for this

A common misconception

Matching two words from the same topic without preserving the pair’s precise relationship.

Reusable method: Turn the first pair into a short sentence.

Question 1 of 10
Verbal Reasoningcore
BARK is to DOG as NEIGH is to ___.
- Astable
- Banimal
- Chorse
- Dsaddle
Need a hint?
The first word is the sound made by the second.
Show worked answer
Answer C: horse
A dog barks; a horse neighs.
Quick method: Turn the first pair into a short sentence.
Question 2 of 10
Verbal Reasoningcore
CHAPTER is to BOOK as SCENE is to ___.
- Aactor
- Bstage
- Caudience
- Dplay
Need a hint?
The first word is a section of the second.
Show worked answer
Answer D: play
A chapter is part of a book; a scene is part of a play.
Quick method: Turn the first pair into a short sentence.
Question 3 of 10
Verbal Reasoningcore
SCALPEL is to SURGEON as GAVEL is to ___.
- Ajudge
- Bcourt
- Claw
- Dhammer
Need a hint?
Match a specialised tool to the person who uses it.
Show worked answer
Answer A: judge
A surgeon uses a scalpel; a judge uses a gavel.
Quick method: Turn the first pair into a short sentence.
Question 4 of 10
Verbal Reasoningexam-style
FRAGILE is to BREAK as FLAMMABLE is to ___.
- Asmoke
- Bburn
- Cheat
- Dwood
Need a hint?
The adjective describes susceptibility to the action.
Show worked answer
Answer B: burn
Something fragile can break; something flammable can burn.
Quick method: Turn the first pair into a short sentence.
Question 5 of 10
Verbal Reasoningexam-style
ISLAND is to ARCHIPELAGO as STAR is to ___.
- Aplanet
- Bsky
- Cconstellation
- Dtelescope
Need a hint?
The second word is a group of the first items.
Show worked answer
Answer C: constellation
An archipelago is a group of islands; a constellation is a group of stars.
Quick method: Turn the first pair into a short sentence.
Question 6 of 10
Verbal Reasoningcore
Calf is to cow as foal is to ___.
- Agoat
- Bhorse
- Csheep
- Ddeer
Need a hint?
The first word is the young form of the second animal.
Show worked answer
Answer B: horse
A calf grows into a cow; a foal grows into a horse.
Quick method: Turn the first pair into a short sentence.
Question 7 of 10
Verbal Reasoningcore
Scalpel is to surgeon as chisel is to ___.
- Asailor
- Bchemist
- Csculptor
- Dpilot
Need a hint?
Match each specialist to a characteristic tool.
Show worked answer
Answer C: sculptor
A surgeon uses a scalpel; a sculptor uses a chisel.
Quick method: Turn the first pair into a short sentence.
Question 8 of 10
Verbal Reasoningcore
Whisper is to speak as stroll is to ___.
- Asleep
- Bjump
- Crun
- Dwalk
Need a hint?
Each first word is a particular gentle way of doing the second action.
Show worked answer
Answer D: walk
A whisper is a quiet way to speak; a stroll is a relaxed way to walk.
Quick method: Turn the first pair into a short sentence.
Question 9 of 10
Verbal Reasoningexam
Seed is to tree as idea is to ___.
- Ainvention
- Bquestion
- Cmemory
- Dargument
Need a hint?
The first can develop into the second.
Show worked answer
Answer A: invention
A seed can develop into a tree; an idea can develop into an invention.
Quick method: Turn the first pair into a short sentence.
Question 10 of 10
Verbal Reasoningstretch
Transparent is to light as porous is to ___.
- Asound
- Bwater
- Cheat
- Dcolour
Need a hint?
Think about what each material allows to pass through.
Show worked answer
Answer B: water
A transparent material allows light through; a porous material allows water or other fluids through.
Quick method: Turn the first pair into a short sentence.

Understand the rule first

PUPPY is to DOG as CALF is to ___.

A common misconception

BARK is to DOG as NEIGH is to ___.

CHAPTER is to BOOK as SCENE is to ___.

SCALPEL is to SURGEON as GAVEL is to ___.

FRAGILE is to BREAK as FLAMMABLE is to ___.

ISLAND is to ARCHIPELAGO as STAR is to ___.

Calf is to cow as foal is to ___.

Scalpel is to surgeon as chisel is to ___.

Whisper is to speak as stroll is to ___.

Seed is to tree as idea is to ___.

Transparent is to light as porous is to ___.

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