Analogizing

Analogies refer to a functional resemblance between two things that are otherwise unlike. (p.137)

The "ability to recognize analogies is an excellent test of intelligence." (p. 142) For example, the Miller Analogies Test is often used to determine admission to grad schools. "Research by psychologists on human intelligence and reasoning has found performance on analogies to represent one of the best measures of verbal comprehension and analytical thinking." ([|MAT])

Here are some sample questions: How will you do?

1. DRIP : GUSH A. cry : laugh B. curl : roll C. stream : tributary D. dent : destroy E. bend : angle

2. WALK : LEGS A. blink : eyes B. chew : mouth C. dress : hem D. cover : book E. grind : nose

3. ENFRANCHISE : SLAVERY A. equation : mathematics B. liberate : confine C. bondage : subjugation D. appeasement : unreasonable E. anatomy : physiology

4. UNION JACK : VEXILLOLOGY A. toad : ornithology B. turtle : microbiology C. gymnosperms : botany D. friend : home economics E. algae : zoology

5. TOPAZ : YELLOW A. diamond : carat B. jeweler : clarity C. sapphire : red D. amethyst : purple E. amber : blue

6. LUMEN : BRIGHTNESS A. candle : light B. density : darkness C. nickel : metal D. inches : length E. color : hue

7. MACERATION : LIQUID A. sublimation : gas B. evaporation : humidity C. trail : path D. erosion : weather E. decision : distraction

8. CLUMSY : BOTCH A. wicked :insinuate B. strict:pamper C. willful:heed D. clever:eradicate E. lazy:shirk

9. FUGITIVE : FLEE A. parasite:foster B. braggart:boast C. sage:stifle D. bystander:procure E. firebrand:quibble

10. CHRONOLOGICAL : TIME A. virtual:truth B. abnormal:value C. marginal:knowledge D. ordinal:place E. coincidental:health

11. SOOT : GRIMY A. frost:transparent B. sunshine:fruitless C. rain:sodden D. pall:gaudy E. dust:radiant

12. MORBID : UNFAVORABLE A. reputable:favorable B. maternal:unfavorable C. disputatious:favorable D. vigilant:unfavorable E. lax:favorable

13. SULLEN : BROOD A. lethargic:cavort B. regal:cringe C. docile: obey D. poised:blunder E. despondent:laugh

14. AUTHOR : LITERATE A. cynic:guillible B. hothead:prudent C. saint:notorious D. judge:impartial E. doctor:fallible

15. MASSIVE : BULK A. ultimate:magnitude B. trival:importance C. anonymous:luster D. interminable:legacy E. gigantic:size

16. ENTICE : REPEL A. germinate:sprout B. flourish:fade C. officiate:preside D. lubricate:grease E. implore:entreat

17. HUMDRUM : BORE A. grim:amuse B. nutritious:sicken C. stodgy:excite D. heartrending:move E. pending:worry

18. HOSPITABLE : COURTESY A. morbid:cheerfulness B. vindictive:spite C. leisurely:haste D. infamous:honor E. despondent:glee

19. REINFORCE : STRONGER A. abound: lesser B. dismantle: longer C. wilt: higher D. shirk: greater E. erode: weaker

20. BRAGGART : MODESTY A. fledgling:experience B. embezzler: greed C. wallflower: timidity D. invalid: malady E. candidate:ambititon

Click here for the answer key!