Analogy X-Ray
Here is what a typical Analogy question looks like:
|
Directions: In this question, a
related pair of words or phrases is followed by five pairs of
words or phrases. Select the pair that best expresses a
relationship similar to that expressed in the original pair.
|
|
|
IMPLICIT : STATED :: |
| (A) |
straightforward : pithy |
| (B) |
urgent : imperative |
| (C) |
harsh : bright |
| (D) |
exotic : commonplace |
| (E) |
cheap : devoted |
|
Borrowing a term from the directions, we’ll call the capitalized pair in
the question the “original,” and we’ll dub the answer we seek the “match.” We’ll
come back to this specific question later on, but first let’s take a quick look
at the directions so you’ll never have to bother with them again.
The key word here is relationship. The original pair
absolutely must have a relationship that will be mimicked in the correct match.
Finding the connection between the two words of the original pair will therefore
be at the heart of our
strategy for this question type. As you’ll see, some choices will contain
pairs with weak or even nonexistent relationships, and you’ll get practice
dismissing these right off the bat.
