Analogies – Quick‑Revision Notes for JKSSB Social Forestry Worker (Basic Reasoning)
(≈ 1 500 words – ready for a last‑minute skim before the exam)
1. What is an Analogy?
An analogy is a relationship‑based comparison: X : Y :: A : B means “the relationship between X and Y is the same as the relationship between A and B.”
Your job is to spot the hidden link in the given pair and apply it to find the missing element.
Key points to remember
| Aspect | What to check | Typical clue |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Is the relationship X → Y or Y → X? | Often the first term operates on the second (e.g., “Doctor : Hospital”). |
| Symmetry | Some links are reversible (synonym/antonym), others are not (cause‑effect). | Test both ways if unsure. |
| Level of abstraction | Concrete → concrete, abstract → abstract, or mixed. | Watch for shifts (e.g., “Book : Author :: Song : ?”). |
| Units / scales | Numbers may involve addition, multiplication, powers, etc. | Look for constant difference, ratio, or pattern. |
| Spatial cues | Figures may rotate, reflect, shift, add/subtract parts. | Visualise the transformation. |
2. WORD ANALOGIES
2.1 Classic Relationship Types
| # | Relationship | Example (X : Y) | How to recognise | Typical answer pattern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Synonym | Happy : Joyful | Same meaning, different wording | Find another synonym of the second word |
| 2 | Antonym | Hot : Cold | Opposite meaning | Find the opposite of the second word |
| 3 | Cause → Effect | Seed : Plant | First produces/leads to second | Find what the second word produces |
| 4 | Effect → Cause | Fever : Infection | Second is the reason for first | Find the cause of the first word |
| 5 | Worker‑Tool | Carpenter : Hammer | Person uses the tool | Find the tool used by the given profession |
| 6 | Tool‑Worker | Scalpel : Surgeon | Tool is used by the professional | Reverse of #5 |
| 7 | Product‑Producer | Bread : Baker | Maker creates the product | Find the maker of the given product |
| 8 | Producer‑Product | Painter : Painting | Creator makes the item | Find what the creator produces |
| 9 | Part‑Whole | Wheel : Car | Component belongs to larger entity | Find the part of the given whole (or vice‑versa) |
| 10 | Whole‑Part | Forest : Tree | Larger contains the smaller | Reverse of #9 |
| 11 | Member‑Class | Lion : Mammal | Item belongs to a category | Find another member of the same class |
| 12 | Class‑Member | Fruit : Apple | Category contains the item | Find another example of the class |
| 13 | Function‑Object | Cut : Scissors | Verb describes what the object does | Find the verb that matches the object |
| 14 | Object‑Function | Pen : Write | Object performs the action | Find the object that performs the given verb |
| 15 | Quantity‑Unit | Distance : Meter | What is measured and its unit | Find the unit for the given quantity |
| 16 | Unit‑Quantity | Second : Time | Unit belongs to a measurable quantity | Find the quantity measured by the unit |
| 17 | Degree‑Intensity | Warm : Hot | Scale of intensity (low → high) | Find a stronger/weaker term on same scale |
| 18 | Age‑Stage | Infant : Baby | Life‑stage terminology | Find the next/previous stage |
| 19 | Gender‑Role | King : Queen | Male ↔ Female counterpart | Find the opposite‑gender counterpart |
| 20 | Symbol‑Meaning | Dove : Peace | Symbol stands for concept | Find the symbol for the given idea (or vice‑versa) |
2.2 Mnemonics for Word‑Analogy Types
“S.C.A.R.E.D. P.F.W.M.F.O.Q.U.D.I.A.G.S.”
(Say it like a scary spell – helps recall the first letters of each category)
| Letter | Category |
|---|---|
| S | Synonym |
| C | Cause → Effect |
| A | Antonym |
| R | Worker‑Tool / Tool‑Worker |
| E | Effect → Cause |
| D | Degree‑Intensity |
| P | Part‑Whole / Whole‑Part |
| F | Function‑Object / Object‑Function |
| W | Worker‑Product / Producer‑Product |
| M | Member‑Class / Class‑Member |
| O | Object‑Function (already covered, but reinforces) |
| Q | Quantity‑Unit / Unit‑Quantity |
| U | (Unused – placeholder for Unit‑Quantity if needed) |
| D | (Duplicate for Degree‑Intensity – reinforces) |
| I | Infant‑Stage (Age‑Stage) |
| A | Antonym (again – strengthens) |
| G | Gender‑Role |
| S | Symbol‑Meaning |
Tip: When you see a pair, run through the mnemonic quickly; the first matching pattern usually gives the answer.
2.3 Solving Strategy – Word Analogies (Step‑by‑Step)
- Read the pair aloud. Identify the grammatical roles (noun‑verb, adjective‑noun, etc.).
- Ask: What is the most obvious link? (Synonym/antonym often jumps out.)
- If not obvious, test the categories in the order: Synonym → Antonym → Cause‑Effect → Worker‑Tool → Part‑Whole → Member‑Class → Function‑Object → Quantity‑Unit → Degree‑Intensity → Age‑Stage → Gender‑Role → Symbol‑Meaning.
- Form a sentence: “X is to Y as ___ is to ___.” Plug each candidate into the sentence; the one that makes sense both ways wins. 5. Eliminate options that break the link in either direction.
- Check for traps (e.g., “Teacher : School :: Doctor : ?” – many think “Hospital”, but the true link is “works in”; the answer is “Clinic” or “Hospital” both work – look for the best fit among choices.)
2.4 Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
| Pitfall | Example | Why it trips you | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reversible vs. Non‑reversible | Hot : Cold (antonym) – reversible, but Cause→Effect is not. | Assuming symmetry where none exists. | Test both directions; if one fails, discard. |
| Multiple plausible links | Book : Author :: Song : ? (could be Singer, Composer, Lyricist). | Over‑thinking; need the most direct link. | Choose the link that requires the fewest inferential steps. |
| Cultural/Language bias | “Lotus : Purity” (Indian symbolism) vs. “Rose : Love”. | Assuming universal meaning. | Stick to the most widely accepted meaning unless the exam specifies a region. |
| Ignoring word class | “Quick : Speed” (adjective‑noun) vs. “Fast : Pace”. | Mixing parts of speech. | Keep the grammatical pattern identical (adj‑noun ↔ adj‑noun). |
| Overlooking hidden prefixes/suffixes | “Happy : Happiness” (noun formation). | Missing derivational morphology. | Look for noun‑verb‑adjective derivations. |
3. NUMBER ANALOGIES
3.1 Core Numerical Patterns
| Pattern | Description | Example (X : Y) | How to generate Y from X | Typical variants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constant Difference | Add/subtract same number | 5 : 8 → +3 | Y = X + d | 12 : 15, 20 : 23 |
| Constant Ratio | Multiply/divide by same factor | 4 : 12 → ×3 | Y = X × r | 6 : 18, 9 : 27 |
| Square / Cube | Y = X² or X³ (or reverse) | 3 : 9 → square | Y = X² | 4 : 16, 5 : 25 |
| Square‑Root / Cube‑Root | Y = √X or ∛X | 25 : 5 → √ | Y = √X | 64 : 8, 27 : 3 |
| Prime Numbers | X and Y are consecutive primes | 7 : 11 → next prime | Find next prime after X | 13 : 17, 19 : 23 |
| Even/Odd | X even → Y odd (or vice‑versa) | 8 : 9 → +1 (even→odd) | Y = X ± 1 (toggle parity) | 14 : 15 |
| Factorial | Y = X! (or X = Y!) | 3 : 6 → 3! | Y = X! | 4 : 24, 5 : 120 |
| Power of 2 | Y = 2ⁿ where n = X | 3 : 8 → 2³ | Y = 2ˣ | 4 : 16, 5 : 32 |
| Digit Manipulation | Reverse digits, sum of digits, etc. | 12 : 21 → reverse | Y = reverse(X) | 45 : 54, 103 : 301 |
| Arithmetic Progression (AP) | X, Y, Z equally spaced | 2 : 5 : 8 → d=3 | Y = X + d | 7 : 10 : 13 |
| Geometric Progression (GP) | X, Y, Z multiply by same ratio | 3 : 6 : 12 → r=2 | Y = X × r | 5 : 10 : 20 |
| Mixed Operations | Combination (e.g., ×2 then +1) | 4 : 9 → (×2)+1 | Y = 2X + 1 | 3 : 7, 6 : 13 |
| Modular Arithmetic | Y = X mod n | 17 : 5 → mod 12 | Y = X mod 12 | 29 : 5, 40 : 4 |
3.2 Mnemonics for Number Patterns
“D.R.S.C.P.E.F.A.P.G.M.M” (pronounce “drusk‑pe‑fap‑gem”)
| Letter | Pattern |
|---|---|
| D | Difference (constant) |
| R | Ratio (constant) |
| S | Square / Square‑root |
| C | Cube / Cube‑root |
| P | Prime |
| E | Even/Odd toggle |
| F | Factorial |
| A | AP (Arithmetic Progression) |
| P | GP (Geometric Progression) |
| G | Power of 2 (Geometric with base 2) |
| M | Mixed operations |
| M | Modular / Digit tricks |
Tip: When you see a pair, run through the mnemonic silently; the first pattern that yields an integer answer among the options is usually correct.
3.3 Solving Strategy – Number Analogies (Step‑by‑Step)
- Check the simplest – difference, ratio.
- Look at size – if Y is much larger than X, think squares, cubes, powers, factorial.
- If Y is smaller, consider roots, division, subtraction.
- Examine digits – if numbers look similar (e.g., 12↔21), think digit‑swap or sum‑of‑digits.
- Test prime‑related – if both are odd and not divisible by small numbers, consider prime sequence.
- Apply mixed operations only after simpler patterns fail.
- Plug each option into the derived rule; the one that satisfies the rule for both given and answer pair wins. ### 3.4 Common Traps in Number Analogies
| Trap | Example | Why it misleads | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over‑reliance on difference | 2 : 6 :: 5 : ? (difference 4 → 9) but actual rule is ×3 → 15. | Difference fits first pair but not second. | Always verify the rule on the answer choices. |
| Ignoring order | 9 : 3 :: 16 : ? (√9=3, √16=4) vs. 9 : 3 :: 4 : ? (9/3=3, 4/?=3 → ?=1.33). | Assuming same operation without checking direction. | Write the operation as a formula and test both X→Y and Y→X if needed. |
| Mixing AP & GP | 3 : 6 :: 5 : ? (AP gives 8, GP gives 10). | Both seem plausible. | Look at the magnitude of change; if ratio is constant, prefer GP. |
| Factorial confusion | 3 : 6 :: 4 : ? (3! =6, 4! =24). | Some may think +3 →7. | Recognise factorial grows fast; if Y is much larger, suspect factorial. |
| Digit tricks hidden | 12 : 21 :: 34 : ? (reverse → 43) vs. +9 → 43. | Both give same answer; need to see if other options fit reverse only. | Check if any answer fits only one pattern; discard ambiguous ones. |
| Modular confusion | 17 : 5 :: 29 : ? (mod 12 → 5) vs. –12 → 17. | Subtracting 12 also works for first pair. | Test second pair; only one will hold for both. |
4. FIGURE ANALOGIES
4.1 Types of Figure Transformations
| Transformation | Description | Visual clue | Example (X → Y) | How to apply to find missing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rotation | Turn the figure clockwise/anticlockwise by a fixed angle (90°, 180°, 270°). | Orientation changes, shape unchanged. | ► (pointing right) → ▼ (down) = 90° CW. | Rotate the given figure by same angle. |
| Reflection / Mirror | Flip over a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal axis. | Left‑right or top‑bottom swap. | ▲ (up) reflected vertically → ▽ (down). | Mirror the figure across the implied axis. |
| Translation (Shift) | Move the figure without rotating/reflecting. | Same orientation, different position. | A dot at top‑left → same dot at bottom‑right. | Shift by same vector. |
| Scaling (Enlargement/Reduction) | Increase/decrease size proportionally. | Shape same, size different. | Small square → big square. | Apply same scale factor. |
| Addition / Subtraction of Elements | Add or delete lines, dots, shapes. | Number of components changes. | Square + diagonal → square with X. | Add/delete same element(s). |
| Shape Mutation | Change one attribute (e.g., number of sides, curvature). | Number of sides, corners, curves vary. | Triangle → square ( +1 side). | Apply same change in attribute. |
| Pattern / Shading Change | Alter fill pattern, shading, line style. | Dotted ↔ solid, stripes ↔ checks. | Hollow circle → shaded circle. | Apply same shading change. |
| Combination | Two or more of the above applied sequentially. | Multiple differences visible. | Rotate 90° then add a line. | Identify the primary transformation first, then secondary. |
4.2 Mnemonics for Figure Analogies “R.E.S.T.A.S.P.C.” (pronounce “rest‑asp‑see”)
| Letter | Transformation |
|---|---|
| R | Rotation |
| E | Reflection (mirror) |
| S | Shift (translation) |
| T | Tilt (same as rotation but emphasises angle) |
| A | Addition of elements |
| S | Subtraction of elements |
| P | Pattern/shading change |
| C | Change in shape (corners/sides) |
Tip: When you see a pair, first note the most obvious change (often rotation or reflection). If none, go through the mnemonic list.
4.3 Solving Strategy – Figure Analogies (Step‑by‑Step)
- Orientation check – Does the figure point a different way? → Rotation/Reflection.
- Count elements – Are there more/less lines, dots, shapes? → Addition/Subtraction.
- Look at shading/pattern – Is the fill different? → Pattern change.
- Measure size – Does it look bigger/smaller? → Scaling.
- Count sides/corners – Did a triangle become a quadrilateral? → Shape change.
- Combine – If two changes are evident, note the order (usually rotation/reflection first, then addition/subtraction).
- Test each option – Apply the detected transformation(s) to the given figure; the option that matches exactly is the answer.
4.4 Common Pitfalls in Figure Analogies | Pitfall | Example | Why it tricks you | Fix |
| ——— | ——— | ——————- | —– |
| Assuming rotation when it’s reflection | An “L” shape rotated 90° looks like its mirror image. | Both produce similar orientation change for asymmetric shapes. | Check for lateral inversion: if left‑right swapped, it’s reflection. |
| Missing subtle shading | A shape with dotted lines vs. same shape with solid lines. | Easy to overlook if focusing only on outline. | Zoom mentally on interior lines; note dot/dash pattern. |
| Confusing addition with substitution | Adding a line inside a square vs. replacing one side with a line. | Both change line count. | See if original lines remain intact (addition) or are removed (substitution). |
| Over‑scaling | A small circle appears larger due to perspective drawing. | Visual size can be deceptive. | Count grid units or use a ruler (if provided) to verify actual dimensions. |
| Ignoring negative space | The “hole” in a donut shape counts as an element. | Focus only on drawn lines. | Treat enclosed white areas as elements if they change. |
| Multiple plausible transformations | A figure can be rotated 180° or reflected horizontally to get same result. | Both give identical orientation for symmetric shapes. | Look for secondary clues (e.g., a dot that moves). The transformation that also moves internal markers is correct. |
5. QUICK REFERENCE TABLES (for last‑minute glance)
5.1 Word‑Analogy Cheat Sheet
| Relation | Keyword to spot | Example | Answer‑finding tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synonym | Same meaning | Big : Large | Find another synonym of second word |
| Antonym | Opposite | Hot : Cold | Find opposite |
| Cause→Effect | Leads to | Seed : Plant | What does second produce? |
| Effect←Cause | Results from | Wet : Rain | What caused first? |
| Worker‑Tool | Uses tool | Chef : Knife | What tool does the worker use? |
| Tool‑Worker | Tool used by | Stethoscope : Doctor | Who uses the tool? |
| Product‑Producer | Makes product | Bread : Baker | Who makes it? |
| Producer‑Product | Produces | Painter : Painting | What does the painter make? |
| Part‑Whole | Part of | Wheel : Car | What part belongs to the whole? |
| Whole‑Part | Whole contains | Forest : Tree | What does the whole contain? |
| Member‑Class | Belongs to | Sparrow : Bird | What other member of same class? |
| Class‑Member | Category of | Vehicle : Car | What other example of category? |
| Function‑Object | Does action | Cut : Scissors | What object performs the verb? |
| Object‑Function | Does action with | Pen : Write | What verb matches object? |
| Quantity‑Unit | Measured in | Distance : Metre | What unit measures it? |
| Unit‑Quantity | Unit of | Second : Time | What quantity uses this unit? |
| Degree‑Intensity | Scale of | Warm : Hot | Find stronger/weaker on same scale |
| Age‑Stage | Life stage | Infant : Baby | Next/previous stage |
| Gender‑Role | Male/Female | King : Queen | Opposite gender counterpart |
| Symbol‑Meaning | Represents | Dove : Peace | Symbol for given idea (or vice‑versa) |
5.2 Number‑Analogy Cheat Sheet
| Pattern | Formula | Quick test |
|---|---|---|
| +d (difference) | Y = X + d | Subtract X from Y; see if constant |
| ×d (ratio) | Y = X × d | Divide Y by X; see if constant |
| Square | Y = X² | √Y should equal X (integer) |
| Cube | Y = X³ | ∛Y should equal X |
| Square‑root | Y = √X | Y² should equal X |
| Cube‑root | Y = ∛X | Y³ should equal X |
| Prime (next) | Y = next prime after X | List primes; check |
| Even/Odd toggle | Y = X ± 1 (parity flips) | Check parity change |
| Factorial | Y = X! | Compute factorial; compare |
| Power of 2 | Y = 2ˣ | Log₂(Y) should equal X |
| Reverse digits | Y = rev(X) | Write X backwards |
| AP (difference) | Y = X + d (same d for series) | Check constant gap |
| GP (ratio) | Y = X × r (same r) | Check constant ratio |
| Mixed (aX + b) | Y = aX + b | Solve two equations if needed |
| Modulo | Y = X mod n | Compute remainder |
| Digit sum | Y = sum of digits of X | Add digits |
5.3 Figure‑Analogy Cheat Sheet
| Transformation | What to look for | Quick test |
|---|---|---|
| Rotation | Same shape, different orientation | Trace a corner; see if it moved by 90/180/270° |
| Reflection | Mirror image; left‑right or top‑bottom flip | Check if a distinguishing mark (dot, shading) reversed laterally |
| Translation | Same orientation, different location | Measure shift of a reference point |
| Scaling | Same shape, size changed proportionally | Compare ratios of corresponding sides |
| Addition | Extra line/dot/shape present | Count elements; see if original all still there |
| Subtraction | Missing line/dot/shape | See if any original element disappeared |
| Pattern change | Fill style, line type altered | Shaded ↔ dotted, solid ↔ dashed |
| Shape change | Number of sides/corners changed | Count vertices; note increase/decrease |
6. PRACTICE TIPS & EXAM‑DAY REMINDERS
- Time‑boxing – Spend no more than 45 seconds per analogy question. If stuck, mark and move on; return only if time permits.
- Eliminate first – Strike out options that obviously break the link in either direction.
- Work backwards – For number analogies, sometimes it’s easier to test each answer by applying the rule to the given pair and see if it reproduces the second number. 4. Draw lightly – For figure analogies, sketch the transformation on the margin (e.g., a small rotation arrow) to visualise before picking.
- Watch for negative marking – If the exam penalises wrong answers, guess only when you can eliminate at least two choices.
- Keep the mnemonic handy – Write the first letters of each mnemonic (S.C.A.R.E.D., D.R.S.C.P.E.F.A.P.G.M.M., R.E.S.T.A.S.P.C.) on the rough sheet; a quick glance will spark the right category.
- Stay calm with symmetry – If a pair works both ways (e.g., synonym), double‑check that the answer options also work both ways; sometimes the examiner purposely includes a one‑way link to test attention.
- Review common traps – Before the exam, glance over the “Common Pitfalls” sections for each type; they refresh your mind against the usual distractors.
- Use rough work efficiently – Allocate a small box for each question: note the observed link, the formula or transformation, then test options. This reduces mental load.
- Final sweep – In the last 2‑3 minutes, go through all marked questions; often a second look reveals a missed simple link (e.g., you missed a “+1” because you were jumping to squares). —
7. FINAL QUICK‑LOOK SUMMARY (ONE‑PAGE REVISION)
| Analogy type | Core idea | 2‑step solving cue |
|---|---|---|
| Word | Relationship of meaning, function, class, etc. | 1️⃣ Identify link (use S.C.A.R.E.D. mnemonic) → 2️⃣ Apply to options; pick the one that mirrors the link both ways. |
| Number | Mathematical operation or pattern linking X to Y. | 1️⃣ Test simple diff/ratio → 2️⃣ If not, run through D.R.S.C.P.E.F.A.P.G.M.M.; verify with answer choices. |
| Figure | Spatial transformation (rotation, reflection, shift, etc.). | 1️⃣ Spot obvious change (orientation, element count) → 2️⃣ Walk through R.E.S.T.A.S.P.C.; apply to each option; choose the exact match. |
Remember: Link → Apply → Verify. Keep the mnemonics visible, trust your first instinct after a quick check, and move on. Good luck!
—
End of notes.
