COMMUNICATION / VERBAL ABILITY CLASS - CA-2

ANALOGY, ODD MAN OUT, WORD MAPPING,

CORRECT SPELLING

VOCABULARY

1. Circumspect – be cautious before taking an action

After much circumspection, he consented to signing the deal with
our company.

2. Grope – search with your hands for something that you cannot see
While I was groping for the door handle someone hit me from the
back with a heavy object.

3. Indignation – a feeling of anger caused by unjust or unfair acts

People felt a strong indignation against their corrupt leader.

4. Irreproachable – free from any blame

Above all, he was a man of irreproachable honesty and integrity.

5. Momentous – very important

The story of the ‘Flight of the Earls’ is a tale of epic proportions,
an enthralling and momentous episode in the history of Ireland.

6. Obsequious – extremely servile

Mr. Roy is extremely obsequious, which I detest, but there is no
easy way to tell him that.

7. Pecuniary – relating to money

He is not ready to work without any pecuniary reward.

8. Rationale – basic reason or logic

I would like to know the rationale behind the introduction of this
chapter in the book.

9. Sedentary – in a seated position

Those with a sedentary lifestyle incur higher medical costs.

10. Writhe – to twist or move your body about mostly when you are in pain
When I reached the place where the accident occured, I found her
writhing and groaning.

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 ANALOGIES

Definition: Analogies, in a narrower sense, are a test of vocabulary. In a broader sense, however,
they test the ability to see relationships between the meanings of words. A pair of words is given.
These words are related to each other in a certain manner. You have to spot this relationship
in the word pair accurately.

Examples
1. RING : CIRCLE
1] cross : line
2] square : box
3] rainbow : arc
4] oval : egg

A ring has the shape of a circle, similarly a rainbow has the shape of an arc. Note that [2]
has been put to confuse you. A square is not a box. A box however may be square, again
an oval is not an egg but an egg is ovalshaped. Hence, [3].

2. TRUTH : FALSEHOOD :: VIRTUE : ?

1] goodness 2] vice 3] altruism 4] veracity

Here, you have to determine which of the given words has the same relationship to VIRTUE,
as TRUTH has to FALSEHOOD.

The surest way to do this is to first spot the relationship. Once you spot that the relationship
is, in this case, that of opposites, then it becomes easy to note that the opposite of VIRTUE
is VICE. Do not read the alternatives till you have first determined the relationship between
the capitalized pair. Hence, [2].

3. DOG : FAITHFUL : LAMB ?

1] white 2] funny 3] gentle 4] bray

The quality associated with a dog is faithfulness, while the quality associated with a lamb is
its gentle nature. Hence, [3].

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 SOLVED EXAMPLES
1. Types of Analogy questions
In your test, the analogy question may take any one of the following three forms:

1. From the 4 pairs of words following the capitalized pair, you are to select the pair which is
related in the same way as the capitalized pair.

FOOD : HUNGER
1] sword: victim 2] water: source
3] rest: weariness 4] wine: mirth

Choice [3] expresses the relationship that exists between the given pair. ‘Food’ relieves hunger;
‘rest’ relieves weariness. Hence, [3].

2. From the 4 pairs of words following the capitalized pair, you are to select the pair which is
not related in the same way as the capitalized pair.

SALACIOUS : WANTON
1] nominal: titular 2] noble: base
3] game: sport 4] eliminate: reject

The given pair is synonymous. So are all the options except [2], which is antonymous. Hence, [2].

3. Another form known as ‘Miller Analogy’ is being increasingly used in tests. In this form, one
of the four relationship elements is missing. From the choices offered, you are to select the
one which completes the relationship with the other three items. Thus:

CARPENTER : AWL :: BLACKSMITH : ?

1] bird 2] nest 3] iron 4] hammer

Choice [4] is, of course, the correct answer. A ‘carpenter’s’ tool is his ‘awl’, similarly a
‘blacksmith’ tool is his ‘hammer’. Hence, [4].

2. Kinds of relationships
The relationship between the first two words given may be of various kinds. Following are the
examples of some types of relationships:

1. Cause and effect:

LIQUOR : INTOXICATION
1] State : Prohibition 2] Water : Thirst
3] Medicine : Cure 4] Food : Hunger

The answer is [3], as ‘medicien’ leads to ‘cure’. Hence, [3].

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2. Purpose:

BOTTLE : CORK
1] Pot : Lid 2] Door : Window
3] Cloth : Sack 4] Car : Wheel

The ‘cork’ is used to close a ‘bottle’. The pair with a similar relationship is [1]. Hence, [1].

3. Part - Whole:

CHAPTER : BOOK
1] Man : Beast 2] Hull : Ship
3] Species : Science 4] Doctor : Patient

A ‘chapter’ is a part of a ‘book’. Similarly, ‘hull’ is a part of a ‘ship’. Hence, [2].

4. Part - Part:

FINGER : HAND
1] Match : Fire 2] Spoke : Wheel
3] Apple : Fruit 4] Nail : Scissors

Finger is a part of a hand and hand is a part of the body. There is similar to relationship
in [2]. ‘spoke’ is part of ‘wheel’, which again is a part of a larger body. Hence, [2].

5. Object to Action:

GUN : TRIGGER
1] Chair : Arm 2] Engine : Fuel
3] Lamp : Switch 4] Kick : Pain

The correct answer is [3]. One has to ‘trigger’ a ‘gun’ to fire a shot similarly one ‘switches’
on a ‘lamp’. Hence, [3].

6. Action to Object:

EAT : FOOD
1] Song : Sing 2] Notes : Write
3] Shave : Beard 4] Game : Play

As one ‘eats’ ‘food’, so also one ‘shaves’ his ‘beard’. Note that one doesn’t song a sing,
one doesn’t don’t note a write or game a play. Hence, [3].

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7. Synonym:

SLIM : THIN
1] Brave : Timid 2] Red : Yellow
3] Healthy : Fat 4] Mad : Insane

The synonym (word having the same meaning) of ‘slim’ is ‘thin’. The pair with a synonymous
relationship is [4]. Hence, [4].

8. Antonym:

GOOD : BAD
1] Better : Best 2] Bird : Arrow
3] Valour : Cowardice 4] Spring : Summer

The antonym (word having the opposite meaning) of ‘good’ is ‘bad’. The pair with an antonymous
relationship is [3]. Hence, [3].

9. Degree:

COOL : COLD
1] Gold : Bronze 2] Stable : Volatile
3] Pretty : Beautiful 4] Slavish : Menial

This relationship involves two words describing different degrees of the same quality. Hence
the correct answer is [3]. Hence, [3].

10. Sequence:

MONDAY : WEDNESDAY
1] Winter : Spring 2] Day : Night
3] January : March 4] Snow : Sunshine

This particular sequence follows alternate words – i.e., ‘Monday’, drop Tuesday and then
‘Wednesday’. Option [3] also has the same relationship. Hence, [3].

11. Association:

BUSINESS : PROFIT
1] Glue : Stick 2] Love : Hatred
3] Smoke : Coal 4] Movie : Entertainment

‘Business’ is associated with ‘profit’. Similarly, ‘movie’ is associated with ‘Entertainment’.

Note that smoke is not associated with coal but with fire. Hence, [4].

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There can be many other relationships between words. The two important points to remember
while attempting analogy questions are:

a) determine the exact relationship between the given pair of words, and then

b) identify the same relationship among the choices offered.

The two important points to beware of are:

a) Don’t jump to conclusions: This may lead you to overlook the actual relationship. For example:

BLACK : WHITE
1] Joyful : Sorrowful 2] Green : Blue
3] Stubborn : Flexible 4] Rainy : Sunny

If you are prone to jump to conclusions, then you might mistake the relationship as an antonymous
one, and mark [1]. But on closer examination, [3] also has an antonymous relationship. Hence
one has to look for another relationship – which in this case, is merely that of two colours,
i.e., option [2]. Hence, [2].

b) Beware of common associations: Test setters generally introduce one or two words of common
association among the choices, to confuse you. For example:

PINEAPPLE : FRUIT
1] Heart : Blood 2] Child : Adult
3] Cotton : Fabric 4] Thunder : Rain

The correct choice is [3]. We find test takers choosing options [4] and [1] because of the
definite associations they convey. The exact relationship however, is that, pineapple is a type
of fruit. Similarly cotton is a type of fabric. Hence, [3].

ODD ONE OUT

An odd one/thing/word is something that differs from the other members of the given group.
The questions on odd one out can be based on the following types:

1. Part : Whole

Example:

1] horn 2] steering 3] car 4] brake

Solution:

Here [1], [2] and [4] are parts of a car (whole). Hence, [3] is the odd one out. Hence, [3].

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2. Antonym

Example:

1] cackle 2] yell 3] shout 4] scream

Solution:

Options [2], [3] and [4] are similar in meaning. But, ‘cackle’ refers to an unpleasant kind
of laugh. Hence, [1].

3. Synonym

Example:

1] barricade 2] blockade 3] barrier 4] bear

Solution:

‘Bear’ among other things is the name of an animal. Here except [4], all are synonyms that
mean to hinder or prevent the passage of something. Hence, [4].

4. Two meaning : Single meaning

Example:

1] bug 2] glitch 3] band 4] cleave

Solution:

In this set, except ‘glitch’, which means a fault or defect in a system or machine others have
two meanings. ‘Bug’ is a general term for any insect and also means ‘to annoy persistently’.
‘Band’ as a noun means a group or a company of persons; and as a verb it means to unite.
‘Cleave’ means to cling to something. It also means to split something. Hence, [2].

5. General knowledge-based

Example:

1] Mars 2] Jupiter 3] Saturn 4] Sun

Solution:

Here [1], [2] and [3] form a group. They are all planets, whereas Sun is a star. Hence, [4].

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 WORD MAPPING
Word mapping helps to establish the connection of target words to each other. It also helps to
reinforce your vocabulary skill.

SPELLINGS
The ability to identify the correct spelling of words depend on your vocabulary or in other words,
your knowledge of words. Extensive reading will help you to build your vocabulary skill.

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 CONCEPT BUILDER

Questions: 40 Time: 30 Minutes

DIRECTIONS for questions 1 to 3: In the following questions the first pair of words is related
in some way. Find a word from the given options that is related to the third word in the same
way as the first is to the second.

1. MOUSE : SCAMPER :: SNAKE : ?

1] run 2] slither 3] walk 4] move

2. MAN : SWIM :: DUCK : ?

1] move 2] plod 3] wade 4] scurry

3. MAN : WALK :: BABY : ?

1] slide 2] toddle 3] glide 4] creep

DIRECTIONS for questions 4 to 15: In each of the following questions, a capitalized pair of words
is followed by 4 pairs of words. Select the answer that best expresses a relationship SIMILAR to
that expressed in the capitalized pair.

4. EARTH : UNIVERSE 5. EXERCISE : FITNESS

1] litre : petrol 1] arithmetic : calculation
2] water : drop 2] travel : road
3] pinch : salt 3] music : rhythm
4] page : book 4] hospital : doctor

6. CYCLE : RIDE 7. CAR : DRIVE

1] car : bonnet 1] book : library
2] aeroplane : hangar 2] lake : valley
3] shoe : rack 3] water : drink
4] clothes : wear 4] pen : ink

8. DECENT : RESPECTABLE 9. STEADY : STABLE

1] direct : explicit 1] spherical : globe
2] sly : modest 2] adversity : paucity
3] air : breath 3] kind : generous
4] punctual : late 4] harmful : peaceful

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10. ICONOCLAST : NON-CONFORMIST 11. ARTIST : PAINTING
1] supplicant : theist 1] driver : car
2] prototype : progenitor 2] pedestrian : road
3] abstinence : ascetic 3] composer : symphony
4] potentate : monarch 4] surgeon : operation

12. HOSPITAL : DOCTOR 13. CONSTANT : UNSTEADY

1] hotel : guest 1] change : stability
2] bank : teller 2] inedible : movement
3] teacher : student 3] implicit : notions
4] rehearsal : actor 4] impossible : complex

14. HORSE : MARE 15. PRIDE : LION

1] calf : colt 1] crowd : rowdy
2] mouse : mice 2] men : gathering
3] goose : geese 3] litter : pups
4] peacock : peahen 4] bunch : lunch

DIRECTIONS for questions 16 to 24: In each of the following questions, a capitalized pair of
words is followed by 4 pairs of words. Select the answer that best expresses a relationship NOT
SIMILAR to that expressed in the capitalized pair.

16. GALLEY : SHIP 17. CALUMNY : PRAISE

1] restaurant : hotel 1] fetid : tired
2] kitchen : house 2] extrovert : introvert
3] canteen : hospital 3] treachery : loyalty
4] banquet : feast 4] uncanny : canny

18. INDISCRIMINATE : FASTIDIOUS 19. LETHARGIC : STIMULATE

1] exaggerate : exude 1] skeptical : convince
2] terse : prolix 2] bored : interest
3] sybarite : ascetic 3] unwilling : coax
4] robust : sickly 4] erudite : teach

20. GENEROSITY : DONOR 21. CONSUMMATE : FLAWLESS

1] cruelty : snob 1] chronic : ceaseless
2] discrimination : connoisseur 2] peripheral : subsidiary
3] credulity : dupe 3] tenacious : audacious
4] eloquence : speaker 4] glowing : radiant

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22. FOREIGNERS : XENOPHOBIA 23. PRODIGAL : THRIFTY
1] light : photophobia 1] unequivocal : uncertain
2] space : claustrophobia 2] intractable : obedient
3] darkness : nyctophobia 3] creditable : reprehensible
4] high places : acrophobia 4] inscrutable : incomprehensible

24. BIRD : AVIARY

1] rabbit : warren
2] chicken : coop
3] bee : hive
4] dove : perch

DIRECTIONS for questions 25 to 30: Pick out the option that cannot be combined with the given
word to make a meaningful word.

25. Glass
1] house 2] pane 3] ware 4] cult

26. Art
1] gallery 2] history 3] house 4] magic

27. Atomic
1] number 2] neutral 3] bomb 4] theory

28. Audio
1] amplifier 2] specialty 3] tape 4] lingual

29. Auto
1] mobile 2] immune 3] mate 4] gene

30. Baby
1] boom 2] blues 3] runner 4] doll

DIRECTIONS for questions 31 to 34: Choose the odd one out.

31. 1] sparrow 2] crow 3] woodpecker 4] ostrich

32. 1] betrayal 2] infidelity 3] desertion 4] allegiance

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33. 1] shackle 2] bond 3] manacle 4] prison

34. 1] rabbit 2] rodent 3] rat 4] mouse

DIRECTIONS for questions 35 to 40: Select the option which gives the correct spelling of the given
word.

35. 1] assasin 2] asassin 3] asasin 4] assassin

36. 1] independent 2] indipendant 3] independant 4] indipandant

37. 1] seperate 2] separate 3] sepparate 4] separrate

38. 1] abolition 2] abolishion 3] aboletion 4] aboleshion

39. 1] voluntarily 2] voluntirily 3] volentarily 4] volintarily

40. 1] outrageous 2] outragoeus 3] outrageos 4] outrageuos

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 CLASS TEST
Questions: 45 Time: 30 Minutes

DIRECTIONS for questions 1 to 5: In the following questions, the first pair of words is related
in some way, find a word from the given options that is related to the third word in the same
way as the first is to the second.

1. STORM : RAGE :: WIND : ?

1] flutters 2] howls 3] cackles 4] moves

2. GOVERNESS : CHILDREN :: HOMEMAKER : ?

1] office 2] school 3] club 4] house

3. UNIVERSE : PLANET :: NEWSPAPER : ?

1] reader 2] television 3] print 4] article

4. DROP : WATER :: GRAIN : ?

1] sugar 2] wheat 3] flavour 4] sand

5. ANTENNAE : INSECT :: ANTLERS : ?

1] snake 2] cockroach 3] hornbill 4] antelope

DIRECTIONS for questions 6 to 19: In each of the following questions, a capitalized pair of words
is followed by 4 pairs of words. Select the answer that best expresses a relationship SIMILAR to
that expressed in the capitalized pair.

6. MACKINTOSH : RAIN 7. BRANCH : TREE

1] girl : doll 1] student : teacher
2] dog : meat 2] playground : school
3] glass : crockery 3] traffic : road
4] umbrella : sun 4] collar : shirt

8. PAST : PRESENT 9. KNIFE : CUT

1] refrigerator : airconditioner 1] plot : houses
2] calendar : dates 2] chair : sit
3] pictures : memories 3] wall : edges
4] yesterday : today 4] flower : pot

10. FAT : PLUMP 11. TALL : SHORT

1] pen : pencil 1] good : better
2] blue : green 2] strong : weak
3] pavement : asphalt 3] illness : weakness
4] tiger : leopard 4] chair : table

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12. MEDICINE : CURE 13. ROW : OARS
1] food : appetite 1] brush : cloth
2] drink : thirst 2] wear : opulence
3] liquor : intoxication 3] eat : ladle
4] happiness : depression 4] paint : brush

14. SHARK : FISH 15. FUR : COAT

1] kangaroo : jump 1] kitten : cat
2] cockroach : slimy 2] wool : acrylic
3] snake : amphibian 3] cotton : shirt
4] dog : animal 4] polyester : yarn

16. STRANGE : WEIRD 17. RAID : RETREAT

1] purser : flight 1] contend : battle
2] teacher : school 2] resist : obstruct
3] niggle : fret 3] enrich : deprive
4] gambler : casino 4] fasten : knot

18. UNICORN : CHASTITY 19. MOON : LUNAR

1] sea serpent : invulnerability 1] work : working
2] centaur : mortality 2] dirt : dirtier
3] sphinx : mystery 3] sun : rays
4] dragon : swiftness 4] island : insular

DIRECTIONS for questions 20 to 27: Each question consists of two capitalized words that have
a certain relationship to each other, followed by 4 pairs of words. Choose the pair that is NOT
SIMILAR to each other in the same way as the capitalized pair.

20. ACUITY : PERSPICACITY 21. CANINE : DOG

1] bequeathal : legacy 1] leonine : lion
2] fortitude : mettle 2] ursine : pig
3] infirmity : fitness 3] vulpine : fox
4] humility : humbleness 4] equine : horse

22. ASKEW : STRAIGHT 23. BRAVE : FOOLHARDY

1] rough : smooth 1] Generous : Extravagant
2] apathy : zeal 2] Bold : Impetuous
3] malevolent : benevolent 3] Combative : Assertive
4] dictator : monarch 4] Fond : Besotted

24. BABY : WOMB 25. TELEVISION : NEWSREADER

1] book : shelf 1] studio : artist
2] sword : sheath 2] ballet : danseuse
3] holster : revolver 3] kitchen : chef
4] aircraft : hangar 4] field : paddy

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26. ASTRONAUT : SPACE 27. MISDEMEANOUR : REPRIMAND
1] writer : block 1] crime : punishment
2] teller : bank 2] sin : perdition
3] smith : workshop 3] felony : incarceration
4] chemist : laboratory 4] blunder : mistake

DIRECTIONS for questions 28 to 34: Pick out the option that cannot be combined with the given
word to make a meaningful word.
28. Back
1] flip 2] ground 3] fire 4] smoke

29. Bad
1] breadth 2] debt 3] lands 4] mash

30. Bag
1] lady 2] lunch 3] pipe 4] moon

31. Bake
1] sale 2] shop 3] oven 4] garment

32. Ball
1] man 2] boy 3] gum 4] hawk

33. Banana
1] anger 2] belt 3] republic 4] skin

34. Bath
1] house 2] robe 3] corridor 4] mat

DIRECTIONS for question 35 to 39: Choose the odd one out.

35. 1] felony 2] sacrilege 3] profanation 4] blasphemy

36. 1] extant 2] defunct 3] continuing 4] surviving

37. 1] conundrum 2] mystery 3] manifest 4] enigma

38. 1] acme 2] peak 3] pinnacle 4] base

39. 1] tune 2] strain 3] concert 4] jingle

DIRECTIONS for questions 40 to 45: Select the option which gives the correct spelling of the given
word.

40. 1] intrig 2] intrigue 3] intrigg 4] intrige

41. 1] abarrant 2] aberant 3] aberrant 4] abearrant

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42. 1] materialization 2] materalization 3] materailization 4] materilization

43. 1] irreverance 2] irreverence 3] ireverence 4] irevirence

44. 1] ocult 2] occult 3] okult 4] awcult

45. 1] saccharine 2] sacarine 3] saccarine 4] sacharine

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