Choice (A): Is a forest a place where lumber is stored for later use? Perhaps; but we don’t really think of lumber as being “stored” in a forest. Choice (B): Is a kitchen a place where an oven is stored for later use? Perhaps; but we don’t usually think of an oven as being “stored” in a kitchen. Choice (C): Is a silo a place where wheat is stored for later use? Yes. Choice (C) is a possible answer choice. Choice (D): Is a pipeline a place where oil is stored for later use? No; a pipeline delivers oil from one place to another (often between two places of storage). Choice (E): Is an animal a place where a zoo is stored? No; zoos are not stored in animals. You’ve eliminated choice (E); now you can easily eliminate choices (A) and (B). You can also see that choice (C) provides a stronger analogy than choice (D). Some Analogies Work Better When You Turn Them Around If you have trouble formulating a sentence in which you use the first capitalized word before the second, try starting with the second word instead. Just make sure to analyze each answer choice in the same manner, using the second word first. Let’s see how this technique works on the following Analogy: 5. STAR : CONSTELLATION :: (A) sand : dune (B) iceberg : glacier (C) feather : bird (D) river : ocean (E) trestle : track The correct answer is (A). You might have trouble coming up with a graceful sentence relating STAR to CONSTELLATION, so try relating CONSTEL- LATION to STAR: “A CONSTELLATION is made up of many individual STARS.” Of course, since we reversed the order of the capitalized words, we must also reverse the order of the words in each answer choice. So here’s how to apply the sentence to the answer choices: Choice (A): Is a dune made up of many individual sands? The word sands might not work grammatically in the sentence, but if you substitute sand particles,the answer is yes—a dune is made of many individual sand particles. Choice (B): Is a glacier made up of many individual icebergs? Not really; an iceberg is a piece of ice that has broken away from a glacier. Until it breaks away, it’s not an iceberg. (You could say, however, that a glacier consists of many potential icebergs, but that would strain the analogy.) Choice (C): Is a bird made up of many individual feathers? No; a bird has many feathers, but a bird consists of much more than just feathers. Chapter 12: Analogies 313 . www.petersons.com Choice (D): Is an ocean made up of many individual rivers? No; rivers might contribute to an ocean’s waters, but oceans are apart and distinct from those rivers. Choice (E): Is a track made up of many individual trestles? No; a track rests on top of trestles. As you can see, by reversing the order of the capitalized words, we came up with a sentence that captured the word-pair relationship and helped us reveal the best analogy. Pay Attention to a Capitalized Word’s “Charge”—Positive, Negative, or Neutral If one of the capitalized words has either a negative or positive connotation, the corresponding word in the correct answer choice will be similarly “charged.” But if the capitalized word is neutral, the corresponding word in the correct answer choice must be neutral as well. Let’s apply this strategy to a GRE-style Analogy: 6. DETRIMENTAL : IMPACT :: (A) fearful : timidity (B) joyful : emotion (C) painful : soreness (D) sluggish : pace (E) odious : smell The correct answer is (E). The word DETRIMENTAL (harmful) describes a negative type of IMPACT, which is neutral in itself. So the best answer choice’s first word should have a negative slant, while its second word should be neutral. You can eliminate choices (A) and (C) because, in each one, the second word (timidity or soreness, respectively) has a negative charge. Conversely, you can eliminate choice (B) because the first word (joyful) is positively charged. That leaves choices (D) and (E). The word sluggish describes a very slow pace, but it does not have a strong negative connotation. On the other hand, odious (which means “repulsive”) is clearly a negative slant on the neutral word smell. But even if you didn’t know what odious means, you could eliminate all other choices based on how their words are charged. Don’t Give Up If You Know Only One of the Two Words in an Answer Choice You can often eliminate an answer choice by knowing just one of the two words. To see how you might apply this technique to a GRE-style Analogy, consider the following example: PART V: Verbal Reasoning314 . www.petersons.com 7. DRINK : GUZZLE :: (A) surrender : succumb (B) swallow : regurgitate (C) ingest : gorge (D) breathe : respire (E) engulf : envelop The correct answer is (C). To GUZZLE is to DRINK without restraint in amount. Considering choice (A), if you don’t happen to know what succumb means, ask yourself what word might convey the idea of an unrestrained amount of surrender. The concept of an amount of surrender doesn’t make sense, and so it’s a good bet that choice (A) does not provide the best analogy. You don’t need to know the meaning of succumb (to give in, yield, or surrender) to rule out choice (A). Similarly, the concept of an unrestrained amount of swallowing doesn’t make much sense, and so choice (B) is probably not the best analogy, either. (Regur- gitate means “throw up” or “vomit.”) By the same token, you can evaluate choice (C) without knowing what ingest means, as long as you know that gorge means “eat without restraint in amount.” Based just on this word, choice (C) looks like it might provide a good analogy. Indeed, it does—to ingest is to eat. Choices (D) and (E) are incorrect because they each provide a pair of synonyms. Make Educated Guesses About the Meanings of Unfamiliar Words Either of the following might provide a clue about the meaning of an unfamiliar word in a GRE Analogy: • Another word that resembles the word in any way • The word’s root or prefix To underscore this point, here’s a GRE-style Analogy in which both capitalized words provide clues about what they mean: 8. HETEROGENEITY : ASSIMILATION :: (A) pride : jealousy (B) deformity : birth (C) punctuality : attention (D) delay : obstacle (E) contention : victory The correct answer is (E). The word HETEROGENEITY contains the prefix hetero-, which means “different.” The word ASSIMILATION adds a prefix and a suffix to the common word similar. Based on this information, it’s probably a good bet that the meanings of the two words run contrary to each other. On this basis alone, you can easily eliminate choices (A), (B), and (D). As for choice (C), the words punctuality and attention are not closely related to each other. That leaves choice (E). For the record, ASSIMILATION (absorption) typically results in homogeneity (sameness or similarity); that is, it serves to reduce or eliminate HETEROGENEITY (diversity in character). Similarly, victory for one Chapter 12: Analogies 315 . TIP Use any clue a capitalized word might provide to eliminate answer choices and improve your odds of picking the correct one. www.petersons.com means defeat for another; so victory often eliminates contention (rivalry) between two foes. The analogy, though not perfect, is strong enough. Eliminate an Answer Choice Where There’s No Clear Link Between the Two Words If you find yourself stretching to find a link between an answer-choice word pair, consider your dilemma a hint that you should eliminate that choice without even thinking about the capitalized pair. Here’s an analogy that illustrates this point: 9. STABLE : MERCURY :: (A) abstract : transcript (B) tardy : meter (C) public : celebrity (D) narrow : proportion (E) underground : crime The correct answer is (A). Without even considering the capitalized pair, you can eliminate choice (B), since tardy and meter are unrelated to each other (unless you really strain for a connection—which the GRE test designers don’t expect of you). In each of the remaining pairs, the two words are somehow related. For the record, an inherent characteristic of MERCURY is that it is unstable (the opposite of STABLE). By the same token, a transcript is by defi- nition a complete and accurate record of a real-life event, quite contrary to something that is abstract. Be Cautious of Answer Choices Involving the Same Topic as the Capitalized Pair A GRE Analogy might include an answer choice containing words involving the same general subject matter as the capitalized pair. Never assume it’s the best choice, but don’t eliminate it solely on this basis, either. Always compare each answer choice to the capitalized pair without regard to similarity or dissimilarity in topic. Here’s anAnalogy that incorporates this type of red-flag answer choice: 10. TRAITOROUS : TRUSTING :: (A) sophisticated : backward (B) successful : envious (C) pessimistic : rosy (D) loyal : steadfast (E) smart : ignorant The correct answer is (B). A TRAITOROUS person betrays the trust of another, of a TRUSTING person. The key here is that the two words are not antonyms; rather, they define a relationship between contrary sorts of people. The red-flag answer choice here is (D). The words loyal and steadfast both involve the same concept as traitorous and trusting. But loyal and steadfast are simply synonyms of each other, and so choice (D) provides a poor analogy—probably the worst of the five choices. PART V: Verbal Reasoning316 . www.petersons.com You can also eliminate choices (A) and (C), which merely provide pairs of anto- nyms. As for choice (E), a smart person does not necessarily have any relationship with an ignorant person. That leaves choice (B). An envious person requires an object of that envy, usually a person who is successful in ways that incites the other’s envy. The analogy with the capitalized pair is hardly perfect, but it’s stronger than the other four choices. ANALOGY CATEGORIES YOU SHOULD KNOW Most GRE Analogies fall into one of several categories, identified here by sample sentences. In each sentence, the two blanks indicate where you plug in the two words: “________ is a key characteristic of ________.” “________ is a function or use of ________.” “________ runs contrary in meaning to ________.” “________ operates against ________.” “________ is a type, form, or example of ________.” “________ is a place or environment for ________.” “________ is a condition for or ingredient of ________.” “________ is a part, element, or aspect of ________.” “________ is evidence or a result of ________.” Knowing these categories will help make your task easier. But don’t expect to solve every GRE Analogy simply by plugging the word pair into one of these nine sentences. This might work for easier questions, but for tougher ones you’ll need to refine the relationship further to home in on the correct answer. In the pages ahead, you’ll learn that each category includes at least a few distinct patterns. For each category, you’ll find sentences and illustrative word pairs to help you recognize each pattern when you see it on the exam. “Key Characteristic” Analogies In this type of relationship, one word helps explain the meaning of the other word. Look for one of two distinct patterns to help you refine the relationship: Defining characteristic Ideal (but not necessary) characteristic DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC “________ is a characteristic that defines what a ________ is.” “By definition, a ________ is ________.” BRAVE : HERO NOVEL : INVENTION (novel means “original or new”) Chapter 12: Analogies 317 . ALERT! Be skeptical of answer choices involving the same topic as the capitalized pair, but don’t automatically eliminate an answer choice on this basis, either. ALERT! These categories are the ones you’re most likely to encounter on the GRE—but don’t expect every Analogy to fit neatly into one of them. You’ll probably encounter one or two oddballs as well. So try to be flexible in handling GRE Analogies. www.petersons.com ALTRUISM : PHILANTHROPIST (a philanthropist is a generous humani- tarian; altruism means “good will or benevolence”) IDEAL (BUT NOT NECESSARY) CHARACTERISTIC “An effective ________ must be ________.” “An ideal ________ should be ________.” SWORD : SHARP FOUNDATION : STRENGTH SURGEON : DEXTEROUS (dexterous means “skillful with one’s hands”) 11. RISK : UNCERTAINTY :: (A) hope : dread (B) accusation : guilt (C) disrespect : dishonesty (D) arrow : straightness (E) cloud : haziness The correct answer is (E). RISK inherently involves UNCERTAINTY; in other words, uncertainty is part of the definition of risk. Is dread a defining character- istic of hope? No. Dread means “apprehension or fear of a future event.” So the two words are contrary in meaning, and choice (A) is not correct. Is guilt a defining characteristic of an accusation? No. A person who is accused may not be guilty. In other words, guilt is not part of the definition of an accusation, so choice (B) is not a good answer. Is dishonesty a defining characteristic of disrespect? No; so you can eliminate choice (C). Is straightness a defining characteristic of arrow? No, so choice (D) is out. A cloud inherently requires a degree of haziness; in other words, haziness is part of what defines a cloud. Choice (E) is a good analogy. “Function or Use” Analogies In this relationship, one word is essentially a tool, and the other word is a function or use of the tool. Look for one of two distinct patterns to help you refine the relationship: Inherent purpose (function) One of several possible uses or applications INHERENT PURPOSE (FUNCTION) “A ________ is a tool designed to ________ .” “The chief purpose of ________ is to ________ .” KEY : UNLOCK LOOM : WEAVE BUTTRESS : REINFORCE (a buttress is a type of supporting structure) PART V: Verbal Reasoning318 . TIP In handling “key characteristic” analogies, keep in mind that the two words must bear some similarity in meaning, so you can quickly eliminate any answer choice in which the two words are even the least bit contrary to one another. www.petersons.com ONE OF SEVERAL POSSIBLE USES OR APPLICATIONS “A ________ can, but need not, be used to ________ .” “A ________ can serve several functions, one of which is to ________ .” “A ________ can ________ , although it isn’t designed for this purpose.” FINGER : POINT SPEECH : INSPIRE EDIFICE : MEMORIALIZE (an edifice is an imposing structure, typically a monument) 12. PRESERVE : MORATORIUM :: (A) tyrannize : revolt (B) shade : tree (C) solve : problem (D) accumulate : collection (E) cover : eclipse The correct answer is (B). A MORATORIUM is an official halt or cessation of an activity. One possible use of a moratorium is to PRESERVE (for instance, to preserve an endangered animal species). Is one possible use of a revolt to tyr- annize? The purpose of a revolt might be to stop tyranny (which means “oppressive rule”), so choice (A) is not correct. One possible use of a tree is to shade, so choice (B) is a good analogy. Is one possible use of a problem to solve? No, so choice (C) is out. Is one possible use of a collection to accumulate? No. A collection is the result of accumulation, so choice (D) is not correct. Is one possible use of an eclipse to cover? No. Covering is part of the definition of eclipse, so choice (E) is not the best choice. Look out for red-flag answer choices. In the question above, for example, accumulate bears some similarity to PRESERVE (accumulating might help to preserve). But choice (D) is a wrong answer. “Contrary Meaning” Analogies In this type of word relationship, the two words run contrary to or are opposed to each other in meaning. On the GRE, you’re unlikely to see two capitalized words that are perfect opposites (e.g., HOT : COLD); the test makers prefer to hide the ball. So you must learn to distinguish among the following three patterns: Impossible characteristic Mutually exclusive conditions Lack or absence is part of the definition IMPOSSIBLE CHARACTERISTIC “By definition, ________ cannot be characterized by ________ .” “________ describes precisely what ________ is not.” Chapter 12: Analogies 319 . www.petersons.com MINERAL : ORGANIC FRUCTOSE : SOUR FIXTURE : MOMENTUM MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE CONDITIONS “Something that is ________ would probably not be described as ________ .” “A ________ person cannot also be ________ .” PURE : SOILED TIMID : EXPERIMENTAL OBVIOUS : CLANDESTINE (clandestine means “secretive”) LACK OR ABSENCE IS PART OF THE DEFINITION “________ describes a lack of absence of ________ .” “If something is ________ , it lacks ________ .” DEFLATED : AIR DIZZY : EQUILIBRIUM IMPENITENT : REMORSE (impenitent means “lacking remorse”) 13. AIMLESS : PURPOSE :: (A) copied : creativity (B) frugal : generosity (C) spontaneous : organization (D) ripe : freshness (E) inconsistent : candidness The correct answer is (A). Something that is AIMLESS by definition lacks PURPOSE. Similarly, something copied by definition lacks creativity. In both cases, the two words are mutually exclusive, so choice (A) is a good analogy. Does a frugal person necessarily lack generosity? Not necessarily. A frugal person is thrifty and careful about using money; but a frugal person might nevertheless be generous to others with money. In other words, lack of generosity is not what defines frugality, so choice (B) is an incorrect choice. Does something spontaneous necessarily lack organization? A spontaneous (spur-of-the moment) act lacks planning, but the act itself might nevertheless be organized. So you can eliminate choice (C) as a possible answer. Does something ripe necessarily lack freshness? Not exactly. A ripe piece of fruit is ready to eat, but lack of freshness is not a defining characteristic of ripeness. Choice (D) would be a viable answer if the word pair were ripe : staleness instead. Does something inconsistent necessarily lack candidness? No. Candid means “forthright or sincere” and bears no clear relationship to inconsistent, so choice (E) isn’t a good answer choice. PART V: Verbal Reasoning320 . ALERT! When you encounter two words that strike you as contrary in meaning, keep in mind that they might involve different degrees instead. For instance, ripeness may be contrary to freshness, but ripeness is not the opposite of (the lack of) freshness. www.petersons.com “Operates Against” Analogies In this type of relationship, the two words are contrary to each other, and their contrary nature involves function or purpose. Look for one of four distinct patterns to help you refine the relationship: Correction, reversal, elimination Lessening (decrease) in degree, extent, amount, quantity Prevention Opposing functions CORRECTION, REVERSAL, ELIMINATION “________ corrects/reverses/eliminates ________ .” SUSTENANCE : MALNUTRITION (sustenance means “food or nour- ishment”) LOOSEN : STRANGULATED INUNDATED : SCARCE (inundated means “flooded or deluged”) LESSENING (DECREASE) IN DEGREE, EXTENT, AMOUNT, QUANTITY “________ lessens the degree/extent/amount of ________ .” BRAKE : SPEED COMPRESSION : AMPLITUDE (amplitude means “fullness or breadth”) FILTER : SPECTRUM PREVENTION “________ prevents ________ from occurring.” BLOCKADE : PROGRESS CORRAL : DISPERSE UMBRELLA : DRENCH OPPOSING FUNCTIONS “________ and ________ serve opposing functions.” “________ and ________ work at cross-purposes.” FERTILIZER : SICKLE ANCHOR : CORK EPOXY : MILLSTONE Chapter 12: Analogies 321 . NOTE In the correct/reverse/ eliminate pattern, one word usually carries a positive connotation while the other is negatively “charged.” www.petersons.com 14. VIGILANCE : DANGER :: (A) chimney : fire (B) eraser : error (C) relief : disaster (D) clot : bleeding (E) door : draft The correct answer is (E). VIGILANCE means “caution or wariness,” and can lessen the degree of DANGER to which one is exposed. Does a chimney reduce exposure to fire? No, so choice (A) is incorrect. Does an eraser reduce exposure to error? No, so you can eliminate choice (B). Does relief reduce exposure to disaster? No. Relief corrects or reverses the results of a disaster. Choice (C) is incorrect. Does a clot reduce exposure to bleeding? In a sense, yes. But it stops bleeding that is already occurring; so you should look for a better analogy. A door can reduce the extent of draft (air current) to which one is exposed, as vigilance can lessen the degree of danger to which one is exposed. So choice (E) provides a better analogy than (D). “Type, Form, or Example” Analogies In this type of relationship, one word is a type, example, form, or variety of the other word. Look for one of these three distinct patterns to help you refine the relationship: Specific example or category Neutral vs. negative form Difference in degree, rate, scale, extent, amount, quantity SPECIFIC EXAMPLE OR CATEGORY “A ________ is one category of ________ .” “A ________ is an example of ________ .” WOODWIND : INSTRUMENT ANTHOLOGY : COLLECTION (an anthology is a collection of writings) CALORIE : MEASUREMENT (a calorie isaunitofmeasurement for heat) NEUTRAL VS. NEGATIVE FORM “To ________ is to ________ in an unlawful/immoral/harmful manner.” “________ is a negative/bad/poor form of ________ .” “To ________ is to ________ , but with an improper purpose.” SCRIBBLE : WRITE (Remember this pair from earlier in the chapter?) MOCK : MIMIC (to mock is to ridicule, typically through mimicry) PEDANT : SCHOLAR (a pedant makes an excessive show of learning) PART V: Verbal Reasoning322 . www.petersons.com . unfamiliar word in a GRE Analogy: • Another word that resembles the word in any way • The word’s root or prefix To underscore this point, here’s a GRE- style Analogy. rather, they define a relationship between contrary sorts of people. The red-flag answer choice here is (D). The words loyal and steadfast both involve the