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Answers to Sample GRE Analogy Questions
1. ADULT : CHILD::
(A) horse : mare
(B) cat : kitten
(C) swine : sow
(D) human : animal
(E) cow : herd
Explanation:
An “adult” is what a “child” who grows up will be. A rationale for this
analogy could be “X (an adult) is what a Y (child) who grows up will
necessarily be”. A “cat” is what a “kitten” will be when it grows up.
Answer: B
2. MANSION : RESIDENCE ::
(A) limousine : automobile
(B) chandelier : candle
(C) tuxedo : wardrobe
(D) diamond : rhinestone
(E) yacht : harbor
Explanation:
A “mansion” is a large and usually expensive “residence”. A rationale
for this analogy could be “X” is a large, expensive member of class “Y”.
A “limousine” is a special kind of “automobile,” specifically, a large
and expensive one.
Answer: A
3. ENVELOPE : LETTER ::
(A) scarf : hat
(B) box : bag
(C) crate : produce
(D) neck : head
(E) blood : heart
Explanation:
One purpose of an “envelope” is to contain and protect a “letter” when
it is sent from one place to another. A rationale for this analogy could
be “X is a container designed to protect objects such as Y’s during
transport”. A “crate” is designed to protect things, “produce” among
them, during transport.
Answer: C
4. CHOREOGRAPHY : DANCE ::
(A) ceremony : sermon
(B) agenda : advertisement
(C) poetry : recitation
(D) instrumentation : conductor
(E) plot : story
Explanation:
“Choreography” (the art of composing dances) provides a structure that
determines what will happen during a “dance”. A rationale for this
analogy could be “X provides the organizing structure for creation of
Y”. The “plot” provides structure for a “story,” a creative endeavor.
Answer: E
5. OVERDOSE : PRESCRIPTION ::
(A) deprivation : materialism
(B) indiscretion : convention
(C) affliction : sympathy
(D) adventure : expedition
(E) drug : medicine
Explanation:
“Prescription” has several meanings, but its use with “overdose”
suggests that here it means written instructions for medication. An
“overdose” is a dosage of a medication that exceeds the amount called
for by the “prescription.” A rationale for this analogy might be “X
violates the rules set forth in a Y”. A “convention” is a rule, or set
of rules, usually unwritten, governing behavior. An “indiscretion” is an
action that violates such rules, much as an “overdose” violates the
rules set forth in a “prescription”.
Answer: B
6. EVAPORATE : VAPOR ::
(A) petrify : stone
(B) centrifuge : liquid
(C) saturate : fluid
(D) corrode : acid
(E) incinerate : fire
Explanation:
To “evaporate” means to change or be changed into a “vapor”. A rationale
for this analogy could be “ To X means to change into Y”. To “petrify”
means to turn into “stone.”
Answer: A
7. SHARD : POTTERY ::
(A) flint : stone
(B) flange : wheel
(C) cinder : coal
(D) fragment : bone
(E) tare : grain
Explanation:
A “shard” is a piece of “pottery” that has been broken off. A rationale
for this analogy could be “An X is a piece of Y that has been broken
off.” “Fragment” is one of several possible names for a piece broken off
a “bone”.
Answer: D
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