Word Analogies — Prelims Strategy

Prelims Strategy

Begin with the first pair and write a short relational sentence before looking for an attractive option. Keep the sentence specific enough to distinguish function from association, member from category, and component from container. Then substitute both words from each option into exactly the same sentence.

Check direction. An option may use the correct relationship backwards, especially for part–whole, cause–effect and worker–product pairs. Check the level of abstraction as well: a particular species paired with a broad category should not casually be matched to two coordinate categories. For degree relations, verify whether intensity rises or falls and whether both words lie on a comparable scale.

If several alternatives appear plausible, prefer the one matching the defining relation most precisely under ordinary meanings. Do not add a special story to make a weak option work. Where the stem contains an ambiguous word, use its partner to identify the relevant sense. Finally, explain the nearest distractor in one phrase, such as 'same association, reversed roles'. That check guards against choosing on familiarity alone.