11+ Verbal reasoning · Topic explained
Word analogies
Hot is to cold as up is to… what?
The big idea
Find the link between the first pair, then use the same link again.
Picture it
A recipe: see what was done to the first pair, then do exactly the same to the next.
Key words
- analogy
- two pairs of words with the same link
- link
- how the two words are connected: opposites, homes, jobs, plurals…
- linking sentence
- say the link as a sentence: a bird lives in a nest
Worked examples
- 1Warm-up
Bird is to nest as dog is to ?
- Linking sentence: a bird lives in a nest.
- A dog lives in a kennel.
- 211+ standard
Baker is to bread as potter is to ?
- A baker makes bread.
- A potter makes pots.
- 311+ standard
Foot is to feet as mouse is to ?
- Feet is the plural of foot.
- The plural of mouse is mice.
- 411+ standard
Horse is to stable as badger is to ?
- A horse lives in a stable.
- A badger lives in a sett.
The common mistake
The mistake
Pick any word that goes with the third word.
Instead
Pick the word with the same link as the first pair.
Why: Woof and bark go with dog, but the link was 'lives in', so the answer is kennel.
Where it comes up in the 11+
Analogies appear in GL verbal reasoning and in CEM-style verbal tests: opposites, homes, jobs, plurals, tenses and young animals.
The video
Video coming soon
We're making a short video that explains word analogies step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.
Free printable
Word analogies worksheet
Practice questions on this topic to print and try on paper, at home or on the way to school.
Download the worksheet (PDF)Free account needed: it takes a minute.
Quick quiz
Have a go first, then tap to see the answer.
1. Petal is to flower as finger is to ?
- hand
- ring
- nail
- glove
Show the answerHide the answer
hand
A petal is part of a flower; a finger is part of a hand.
2. Swim is to swam as eat is to ?
- ate
- eaten
- eats
- eating
Show the answerHide the answer
ate
Swam is the past of swim; ate is the past of eat.
3. Wet is to dry as early is to ?
- late
- soon
- morning
- first
Show the answerHide the answer
late
They're opposites.