GRE Verbal Section: Analogies

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GRE Exam Cram

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This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book 

GRE Exam Cram

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Exam Prep Questions

Directions: Each question below contains a pair of words in capital letters and five answer choices. Each answer choice contains a pair of words. Select the pair that best expresses the relationship expressed by the pair in all capital letters.

1. PRIZE : CONTESTANT ::
1. trophy : presenter
2. diploma : principal
3. medal : runner
4. book : author
5. mortgage : lender
2. CLASSROOM : STUDENTS ::
1. podium : lecturers
2. stadium : athletes
3. cafeteria : trays
4. garage : vehicles
5. auditorium : ushers
3. ENDORSE : CANDIDATE ::
1. sign : affidavit
2. endure : trial
3. idolize : celebrity
4. espouse : idea
5. devise : plan
4. STUDY : TEST ::
1. script : composition
2. rehearse : performance
3. interpret : decision
4. operate : cure
5. record : parody
5. CHRONICLE : JOURNEY ::
1. assume : debt
2. enumerate : demands
3. banish : doubts
4. juxtapose : positions
5. clarify : intentions
6. ANNOTATE : ESSAY ::
1. elevate : level
2. research : theory
3. abridge : chapter
4. elaborate : plan
5. mitigate : damage
7. CAPRICIOUS : IMPULSIVE ::
1. magnanimous : generous
2. articulate : critical
3. petty : deceptive
4. diligent : precise
5. provocative : appealing
8. NOTES : SONG ::
1. conductors : orchestra
2. pictures : frame
3. keys : door
4. lawyers : courtroom
5. ingredients : recipe
9. MARATHON : RACE ::
1. victory : competition
2. sprint : finish
3. filibuster : speech
4. novel : author
5. deposition : question
10. CASTLE : MOAT ::
1. island : ocean
2. king : soldier
3. school : playground
4. embryo : placenta
5. bacteria : germ
11. BLIZZARD : SNOW ::
1. harvest : garden
2. flood : lake
3. water : ice
4. exhibits : zoo
5. deluge : rain
12. APATHETIC : EMOTION ::
1. eloquent : precision
2. lenient : permanence
3. perceptive : awareness
4. zealous : passion
5. glib : sincerity
13. EXULTANT : KUDOS ::
1. focused : support
2. joyful : praise
3. honorable : criticism
4. enigmatic : puzzles
5. exceptional : qualities
14. NOXIOUS : POISON ::
1. egregious : crime
2. benign : leader
3. dubious : concoction
4. judicious : statement
5. pragmatic : decision
15. UTILITARIAN : QUIXOTIC ::
1. disconcerting : unsettling
2. ephemeral : fleeting
3. malevolent : kind
4. loquacious : talkative
5. obdurate : stubborn
16. PLAGIARIZE : STEAL ::
1. hoard : dispel
2. placate : provoke
3. concentrate : refine
4. ostracize : exclude
5. perjure : testify
17. CHISEL : CARVE ::
1. athlete : compete
2. courtroom : judge
3. artist : sculpt
4. rake : forage
5. scalpel : operate
18. PHILANTHROPIST : MUNIFICENCE ::
1. skeptic : disbelief
2. symptom : treatment
3. cynic : melancholy
4. aristocrat : gratitude
5. anomaly : plausibility
19. ARTICULATE : MURKY ::
1. credulous : amiable
2. desiccated : moist
3. formidable : dark
4. derelict : neglectful
5. opaque : milky
20. PHLEGMATIC : EXCITEMENT ::
1. insolent : respect
2. penurious : frugality
3. fractious : sarcasm
4. timorous : trepidation
5. sagacious : wisdom

Answers to Exam Prep Questions

1. The best answer is C. A "prize" is usually awarded to the winning "contestant." Therefore, a general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: A"____" is awarded to the winning "____." Answer choice C is correct because a "medal" is often awarded to the winning "runner" in a race. Answer choices A, B, D, and E include logical relationships, but none are the same as the relationship between "prize" and "contestant." For instance, a "presenter" is not awarded a "trophy," and a "principal" is not awarded a "diploma"; "presenters" and "principals" are generally on the giving end of that transaction.
2. The best answer is B. A "classroom" is where "students" gather to learn. A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: A "____" is the place where a group of "____" gather to perform an activity. Therefore, answer choice B is correct because a "stadium" is the place where a group of "athletes" gather to compete. "Lecturers" may perform a speech behind a "podium," but a "podium" is not a place, so answer choice A is incorrect. Answer choices C and D are incorrect because "trays" and "vehicles" are inanimate objects and do not perform activities in a "cafeteria" or a "garage." "Ushers" could perform an activity in an "auditorium," but not in the same way that a group such as "students" or "athletes" perform an activity.
3. The best answer is D. People often "endorse," or "give support to," a "candidate" who is being "considered for" something. A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: People "____" a "____" that is being considered for something if they support it. "Espouse" is a synonym of "endorse"; therefore, answer choice D is correct because people will "espouse" an "idea" that they support. To "endorse" can also mean "to sign," but people "sign" an "affidavit" to "swear" that something is true, so answer choice A is incorrect. To "endure" means "to put up with" or "suffer through," not "support," so answer choice B is incorrect. Although people may "idolize" a "celebrity," a "celebrity" is not a person or cause that is being "considered for" something, so answer choice C is incorrect. People may "devise" a "plan," but to "devise" does not mean to "support," so answer choice E is incorrect.
4. The best answer is B. In the same way that you would "study" for a "test," you would "rehearse" for a "performance." A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: A person would "____" in preparation of a "____." To "script" is to "prepare a text," and a "composition" can be the general "structure or makeup" of a certain text, but these words do not have the same relationship as that expressed in the question stem; therefore, answer choice A is incorrect. Likewise, a person would not "interpret" in preparation of a "decision," or "operate" in preparation of a "cure," so answer choices C and D are incorrect. A "parody" is an "imitation of something for comic effect," so it does not make sense that a person would "record" in preparation of a "parody"; answer choice E is incorrect.
5. The best answer is B. To "chronicle" is to "record the details of an event," such as a "journey." A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: To "____" is to provide details describing a/an "____." To "enumerate" is to "specifically identify each detail." Therefore, to "enumerate" "demands" is to provide a list of each demand, much like someone would provide a record listing each detail of a journey. Answer choices A, C, D, and E are logical on their own, but none of the answer choices present the same relationship. For example, to "assume" a "debt" means to "take on" the "debt," not provide details of the "debt." "Banish" means to "get rid of," and "juxtapose" means to "place side by side for comparison," so answer choices C and D are incorrect. You might "clarify" your "intentions" by providing details of them, but there is a stronger, more direct relationship between "enumerate" and "demands," so answer choice E is incorrect.
6. The best answer is D. The verb "annotate" means to "provide extra information." A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: A person will "____" in order to add something extra and enhance a/an "____." Answer choice D is correct because a person might "elaborate" on a "plan" in order to provide more detail or add something extra. To "elevate" is to "make higher," but to "elevate" is not a way to enhance a "level," so answer choice A is incorrect. "Research" is typically conducted to support or study a "theory," but is not something that is directly added to a "theory," so answer choice B is incorrect. "Abridge" means to "shorten," so answer choice C is incorrect. To "mitigate" is to "reduce the intensity" of something, so answer choice E is also incorrect.
7. The best answer is A. The adjective "capricious" can be used to describe someone who is "impulsive." A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: A "____" person is very "____." To find the answer to this question, look for an answer choice that contains two words that are synonyms. A "magnanimous" person is, by definition, "generous" (for example, with money, gifts, and so on). Although someone who is "articulate" could also be "critical," the words are not synonyms, so answer choice B is incorrect. Likewise, even though someone who is "petty" could also be "deceptive," a "petty" person is not always "deceptive," so answer choice C is incorrect. A "diligent" person is characterized by "carefulness" and "determination," but not necessarily "precision," so answer choice D is incorrect. A "provocative" person could be "appealing," but "provocative" means "tending to provoke or excite," and is not a synonym of "appealing," so answer choice E is incorrect.
8. The best answer is E. The "notes" are the primary components of a "song." Likewise, the "ingredients" are the primary components of a "recipe." Answer choices A, B, C, and D include logical relationships, but none are the same as the relationship between "notes" and "song." For example, "conductors" are not the primary components of an "orchestra," "pictures" are not the primary components of "frames," and so on.
9. The best answer is C. A "marathon" is a "long-distance race." A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: A "____" is a longer version of a "____." A "filibuster" is a "lengthy speech," or a longer version of a "speech." A "victory" is a possible outcome of a "competition," but not a longer version of a "competition," so answer choice A is incorrect. Someone may "sprint" to "finish," but "sprint" is not a type of "finish," so answer choice B is incorrect. A "novel" is a "lengthy narrative," but not a type of "author," so answer choice D is incorrect. A "deposition" includes several questions (plural), but is not a lengthy "question," so answer choice E is incorrect.
10. The best answer is D. A "moat" is a "water-filled ditch" that surrounds and protects a "castle." A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: The function of a "____" is to surround and form a barrier to protect a "____." The function of the "placenta" is to surround and form a barrier to protect a developing "embryo." The "ocean" surrounds an "island," but does not function to protect the "island," so answer choice A is incorrect. A "soldier" might protect a "king," but does not surround and form a protective barrier, so answer choice B is incorrect. A "playground" might surround a "school," but does not function to protect the "school," so answer choice C is incorrect. A "germ" does not surround and protect "bacteria," so answer choice E is incorrect.
11. The best answer is E. A "blizzard" is a noun that is characterized by a lot of "snow." A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: A "____" is characterized by an overabundance of "____." A "deluge" is a noun that is characterized by an overabundance of "rain." A "harvest" does not involve an overabundance of "gardens," so answer choice A is incorrect. Although a "lake" could "flood," these words do not have the same relationship as the words in the question stem, so answer choice B is incorrect. "Water" is not characterized by an overabundance of "ice," so answer choice C is incorrect. A "zoo" could be characterized by its "exhibits," but the relationship is reversed, so answer choice D is incorrect.
12. The best answer is E. An "apathetic" person is "unresponsive" and "tends to show little emotion." A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: A "____" person is characterized by a lack of "____." Answer choice E is correct because a person who is "glib" is often characterized by a lack of "sincerity." An "eloquent" person is often described as having "precision," not a lack of it, so answer choice A is incorrect. A "lenient" person might be overly tolerant, but does not necessarily display a lack of "permanence," so answer choice B is incorrect. Being "perceptive" means having "awareness," so answer choice C is incorrect. A "zealous" person often displays "passion," so answer choice D is incorrect.
13. The best answer is B. "Exultant" is a "feeling of triumph," and "kudos" is an "expression of praise." A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: Someone who receives "____" often feels very "____." Someone who receives "praise" often feels "joyful," so answer choice B is correct. Although someone who has received "support" may also feel "focused," one does not necessarily cause the other, so answer choice A is incorrect. It is unlikely that someone would feel "honorable" after receiving "criticism," so answer choice C is incorrect. "Puzzles" themselves are "enigmatic," or "perplexing," but receiving "puzzles" does not make someone feel "enigmatic." "Exceptional" could be used to describe "qualities," which is not the same relationship as that in the question stem, so answer choice E is incorrect.
14. The best answer is A. "Noxious" means "very harmful" and "poison" is a substance that "causes damage or injury." A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: A "____" is something that is always considered very "____." A "crime" is something that is considered very "egregious," or "noticeably wrong," so answer choice A is correct. Not all "leaders" are considered "benign," so answer choice B is incorrect. Likewise, not all "concoctions" are "dubious," not all "statements" are "judicious," and not all "decisions" are "pragmatic," so answer choices C, D, and E are incorrect.
15. The best answer is C. "Utilitarian" is an adjective that is used to describe something that is "useful" and "practical." Conversely, the adjective "quixotic" means "idealistic" or "impractical." A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: Something that is appropriately described as "____" cannot be "____." To answer this question, determine which of the answer choices contains two words that are antonyms. Something that is "malevolent" would never be described as "kind" because the two words are opposite in meaning; therefore, answer choice C is correct. Answer choices A, B, D, and E contain words that are synonyms and share the same meaning.
16. The best answer is D. To "plagiarize" is to "steal someone else's work and take all of the credit." Therefore, the verb "steal" helps to define the verb "plagiarize," and "plagiarism" is a form of "stealing." A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: To "____" is to "____" something. To "ostracize" is to "exclude" someone from a group, so answer choice D is correct. "Hoard," or "keep," is the opposite of "dispel," or "get rid of," so answer choice A is incorrect. To "placate" is to "calm" something, not "provoke," or "intensify," so answer choice B is incorrect. You can "concentrate" or "refine" something (usually a liquid), but the words do not help to define each other, so answer choice C is incorrect. To "perjure" is "to knowingly lie under oath" and to "testify" is to "tell the truth under oath," so answer choice D is incorrect.
17. The best answer is E. A "chisel" is a tool that is used to "carve" or shape materials. A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: A "____" is a tool that makes it possible to "____" something. Answer choice E is correct because a "scalpel" is a tool that is used to "operate" on a patient. An "athlete" "competes," but an athlete is not a tool. Likewise, a "courtroom" is not a tool that makes it possible to "judge," and an "artist" is not a tool that makes it possible to "sculpt," so answer choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Answer choice E is incorrect because a "rake" is not necessary to "forage."
18. The best answer is A. A "philanthropist" is a person who is "concerned with the well-being of people." The noun "munificence" describes someone who is "very generous." A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: A "____" is a type of person who characteristically displays "____." A "skeptic" is a type of person who characteristically displays "disbelief." A "symptom" is not characterized by a "treatment," so answer choice B is incorrect. A "cynic" is characterized by "pessimism" and could very well display "melancholy." "Melancholy," however, is not necessarily a characteristic of a "cynic," so answer choice C is incorrect. Answer choice D is incorrect because an "aristocrat," or someone of the "upper class," does not generally display "gratitude." An "anomaly" is an "abnormal event," which is not characterized by "plausibility," so answer choice E is incorrect.
19. The best answer is B. Something that is "articulate" is "clear" and "distinct," whereas something that is "murky" is "unclear" or "vague." To answer this question, look for an answer choice that contains two words that are antonyms. A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: Something that is described as "____" cannot be "____." The adjective "desiccated" is used to describe something that has "dried up from a lack of moisture," which is the opposite of "moist," so answer choice B is correct. Someone who is "credulous," or "naive" and "easy to deceive," may or may not be "amiable," or "friendly," so answer choice A is incorrect. Answer choices C, D, and E are incorrect because they each contain two words that are similar in meaning.
20. The best answer is A. By definition, a "phlegmatic" person acts without "excitement." A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: A "____" person is characterized by actions that lack any "____." An "insolent" person is characterized by actions that lack any "respect." A "penurious" person is characterized by "frugality," so answer choice B is incorrect. A "fractious" person is "irritable" and "difficult," but does not necessarily lack "sarcasm," so answer choice C is incorrect. A "timorous" person is characterized by "trepidation," not a lack of it, so answer choice D is incorrect. Likewise, a "sagacious" person is characterized by "wisdom," so answer choice E is incorrect.