A good way to figure out the relationship in a given question is to make up a sentence that describes the relationship between the first two words. Then, try to use the same sentence to find out which of the answer choices completes the same relationship with the third word.
| 9. | Pen is to poet as needle is to |
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Answer: Option D Explanation: A pen is a tool used by a poet. A needle is a tool used by a tailor. The answer is not choice a, b, or c because none is a person and therefore cannot complete the analogy. |
| 10. | Careful is to cautious as boastful is to |
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Answer: Option A Explanation: Careful and cautious are synonyms (they mean the same thing). Boastful and arrogant are also synonyms. The answer is not (choice b) because humble means the opposite of boastful. The answer is not choice c or d because neither means the same as boastful. |
| 11. | Sponge is to porous as rubber is to |
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Answer: Option C Explanation: A sponge is a porous material. Rubber is an elastic material. (Choice a) is incorrect because rubber would not generally be referred to as massive. The answer is not (choice b) because even though rubber is a solid, its most noticeable characteristic is its elasticity. Choice d is incorrect because rubber has flexibility. |
| 12. | Play is to actor as concert is to |
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Answer: Option B Explanation: An actor performs in a play. A musician performs at a concert. Choices a, c, and d are incorrect because none is people who perform. |
| 13. | Reptile is to lizard as flower is to |
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Answer: Option C Explanation: A lizard is a type of reptile; a daisy is a type of flower. Choices a and b are incorrect because a petal and a stem are parts of a flower, not types of flowers. (Choice d) is incorrect because an alligator is another type of reptile, not a type of flower. |
| 14. | Optimist is to cheerful as pessimist is to |
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Answer: Option A Explanation: An optimist is a person whose outlook is cheerful. A pessimist is a person whose outlook is gloomy. The answer is not (choice b) because a pessimist does not have to be mean. (Choices c) and d are incorrect because neither adjective describes the outlook of a pessimist. |
| 15. | Elated is to despondent as enlightened is to |
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Answer: Option B Explanation: Elated is the opposite of despondent; enlightened is the opposite of ignorant. |
| 16. | Yard is to inch as quart is to |
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Answer: Option B Explanation: A yard is a larger measure than an inch (a yard contains 36 inches). A quart is a larger measure than an ounce (a quart contains 32 ounces). Gallon (choice a) is incorrect because it is larger than a quart. Choices c and d are incorrect because they are not units of measurement. |
