Theory & Concepts

SSC CGL Analogies Questions, Formulas & Tricks

Prepare Analogies for SSC CGL with formulas, short tricks, solved examples, practice questions, PYQs, and free PDF notes for faster exam preparation.

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Analogies are a core component of the Verbal Reasoning section in SSC CGL. They test your ability to identify relationships between pairs of words, numbers, or letters and apply that same logic to another pair.

Learning path

  • Word Relationship Types
  • Number Pattern Logic
  • Alphabet Shift Tricks
  • 10 High-Yield Examples

1. Word Analogies

In word analogies, you must identify the semantic or functional relationship between the first pair. Common relationships include:

Tool : Worker

  • Scalpel : Surgeon
  • Chisel : Sculptor
  • Pen : Author

Country : Capital

  • India : New Delhi
  • France : Paris
  • Japan : Tokyo

Part : Whole

  • Leaf : Tree
  • Wheel : Car
  • Nib : Pen

Synonym / Antonym

  • Huge : Gigantic (Synonym)
  • Hot : Cold (Antonym)
  • Sluggish : Active (Antonym)

2. Number Analogies

Number analogies require mathematical pattern recognition. Always check in this order: Prime numbers > Squares/Cubes > Multiples > Addition/Subtraction.

1
Square/Cube Patterns

\( n : n^2 \) or \( n : n^3 \)

Example: 7 : 49 :: 9 : 81

2
Mathematical Operations

\( n : (n \times x) + y \)

Example: 6 : 13 :: 11 : 23 (Logic: \( n \times 2 + 1 \))

3. Letter Analogies

Letter analogies involve shifting positions in the English alphabet. Mastering the "EJOTY" rule (5, 10, 15, 20, 25) is essential.

Direct Shift

Letters move forward or backward by a fixed number.

ACT : DFV (+3 shift)
Reverse Pairs

Opposite letters in the alphabet (A-Z, B-Y, C-X).

KING : PRMT (Reverse)

4. 20 Practice Questions (Solved)

Question 01Exam Pattern

Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ?

A) Office
B) School
C) Student
D) Education
Correct answer: B) School

Solution

Step 1: Identify the relationship. A Doctor works in a Hospital.
Step 2: A Teacher works in a School.
Conclusion: The correct option is B.
Question 02Exam Pattern

Oasis : Sand :: Island : ?

A) River
B) Sea
C) Water
D) Waves
Correct answer: C) Water

Solution

Step 1: Identify the relationship. An Oasis is a water body surrounded by Sand.
Step 2: An Island is a land mass surrounded by Water.
Conclusion: The correct option is C.
Question 03Exam Pattern

12 : 144 :: 15 : ?

A) 225
B) 150
C) 125
D) 250
Correct answer: A) 225

Solution

Step 1: Identify the mathematical pattern.
Step 2: \( 12^2 = 144 \).
Step 3: Therefore, \( 15^2 = 225 \).
Conclusion: The correct option is A.
Question 04Exam Pattern

AFKP : BGLQ :: CHMR : ?

A) DINS
B) DINT
C) EINT
D) DINQ
Correct answer: A) DINS

Solution

Step 1: Identify the shift pattern between the first pair.
Step 2: A(+1)=B, F(+1)=G, K(+1)=L, P(+1)=Q.
Step 3: Apply the same +1 shift to CHMR.
Step 4: C(+1)=D, H(+1)=I, M(+1)=N, R(+1)=S. Result is DINS.
Conclusion: The correct option is A.
Question 05Exam Pattern

Poverty : Prosperity :: Intelligence : ?

A) Stupidity
B) Power
C) Wealth
D) Success
Correct answer: A) Stupidity

Solution

Step 1: Identify the relationship. Poverty and Prosperity are antonyms.
Step 2: The antonym of Intelligence is Stupidity.
Conclusion: The correct option is A.
Question 06Exam Pattern

8 : 28 :: 27 : ?

A) 85
B) 64
C) 65
D) 81
Correct answer: C) 65

Solution

Step 1: Look for squares or cubes.
Step 2: \( 8 = 2^3 \) and \( 28 = 3^3 + 1 \).
Step 3: Apply pattern: \( 27 = 3^3 \), so the next number should be \( 4^3 + 1 \).
Step 4: \( 4^3 + 1 = 64 + 1 = 65 \).
Conclusion: The correct option is C.
Question 07Exam Pattern

68 : 130 :: 222 : ?

A) 345
B) 350
C) 343
D) 355
Correct answer: B) 350

Solution

Step 1: Check for cubes near the numbers.
Step 2: \( 68 = 4^3 + 4 \).
Step 3: \( 130 = 5^3 + 5 \).
Step 4: \( 222 = 6^3 + 6 \).
Step 5: Therefore, the next number must be \( 7^3 + 7 = 343 + 7 = 350 \).
Conclusion: The correct option is B.
Question 08Exam Pattern

Telescope : Distant :: Microscope : ?

A) Small
B) Large
C) Heavy
D) Near
Correct answer: A) Small

Solution

Step 1: Identify the relationship. A Telescope is used to view Distant objects.
Step 2: A Microscope is used to view very Small (minute) objects.
Conclusion: The correct option is A.
Question 09Exam Pattern

Clock : Time :: Thermometer : ?

A) Heat
B) Radiation
C) Temperature
D) Energy
Correct answer: C) Temperature

Solution

Step 1: Identify the relationship. A Clock is an instrument used to measure Time.
Step 2: A Thermometer is an instrument used to measure Temperature.
Conclusion: The correct option is C.
Question 10Exam Pattern

EGIK : FILO :: FHJL : ?

A) JGMP
B) GJMP
C) GMJP
D) GJPM
Correct answer: B) GJMP

Solution

Step 1: Check position shifts: E(5)->F(6) is +1. G(7)->I(9) is +2. I(9)->L(12) is +3. K(11)->O(15) is +4.
Step 2: Apply pattern (+1, +2, +3, +4) to FHJL.
Step 3: F(6)+1 = G. H(8)+2 = J. J(10)+3 = M. L(12)+4 = P.
Step 4: The resulting letters are GJMP.
Conclusion: The correct option is B.
Question 11Exam Pattern

42 : 56 :: 72 : ?

A) 81
B) 90
C) 92
D) 100
Correct answer: B) 90

Solution

Step 1: Find the logic behind the numbers. Let's try multiplication.
Step 2: \( 42 = 6 \times 7 \).
Step 3: \( 56 = 7 \times 8 \).
Step 4: \( 72 = 8 \times 9 \).
Step 5: Following the pattern \( (n \times (n+1)) \), the next must be \( 9 \times 10 = 90 \).
Conclusion: The correct option is B.
Question 12Exam Pattern

Bird : Wings :: Fish : ?

A) Gills
B) Fins
C) Water
D) Tail
Correct answer: B) Fins

Solution

Step 1: Identify the relationship based on locomotion.
Step 2: A Bird uses Wings to fly/move.
Step 3: A Fish uses Fins to swim/move.
Conclusion: The correct option is B.
Question 13Exam Pattern

14 : 9 :: 26 : ?

A) 12
B) 13
C) 15
D) 31
Correct answer: C) 15

Solution

Step 1: Let's find the mathematical operation.
Step 2: \( (14 / 2) + 2 = 7 + 2 = 9 \).
Step 3: Apply to the next number: \( (26 / 2) + 2 = 13 + 2 = 15 \).
Conclusion: The correct option is C.
Question 14Exam Pattern

CUP : LIP :: BIRD : ?

A) GRASS
B) FOREST
C) BEAK
D) BUSH
Correct answer: C) BEAK

Solution

Step 1: Identify the functional relationship.
Step 2: You drink from a CUP using your LIP.
Step 3: A BIRD picks up food using its BEAK.
Conclusion: The correct option is C.
Question 15Exam Pattern

5 : 36 :: 6 : ?

A) 48
B) 49
C) 50
D) 56
Correct answer: B) 49

Solution

Step 1: Identify the relationship involving squares.
Step 2: \( 36 = 6^2 \). The relationship is \( x : (x+1)^2 \).
Step 3: Apply the logic to 6. The next number is \( (6+1)^2 = 7^2 = 49 \).
Conclusion: The correct option is B.
Question 16Exam Pattern

Good : Bad :: Roof : ?

A) Window
B) Floor
C) Walls
D) Pillars
Correct answer: B) Floor

Solution

Step 1: Identify the relationship. Good and Bad are antonyms/opposites.
Step 2: The opposite of Roof (top) is Floor (bottom).
Conclusion: The correct option is B.
Question 17Exam Pattern

MUMBAI : LTLAZH :: DELHI : ?

A) CDKGG
B) CDKGJ
C) CDKGH
D) EFMIJ
Correct answer: C) CDKGH

Solution

Step 1: Determine the shift pattern between the first pair.
Step 2: M(-1)=L, U(-1)=T, M(-1)=L, B(-1)=A, A(-1)=Z, I(-1)=H. The logic is a uniform -1 shift.
Step 3: Apply -1 shift to DELHI.
Step 4: D(-1)=C, E(-1)=D, L(-1)=K, H(-1)=G, I(-1)=H. Result is CDKGH.
Conclusion: The correct option is C.
Question 18Exam Pattern

16 : 56 :: 32 : ?

A) 96
B) 112
C) 120
D) 128
Correct answer: B) 112

Solution

Step 1: Analyze the relationship between 16 and 56.
Step 2: \( 16 \times 3.5 = 56 \) or \( (16 \times 3) + (16/2) = 56 \).
Step 3: Apply the same logic to 32: \( 32 \times 3.5 = 112 \).
Conclusion: The correct option is B.
Question 19Exam Pattern

Cobbler : Leather :: Tailor : ?

A) Thread
B) Cloth
C) Shirt
D) Needle
Correct answer: B) Cloth

Solution

Step 1: Identify the worker-material relationship.
Step 2: A Cobbler works with Leather as their primary raw material.
Step 3: A Tailor works with Cloth as their primary raw material.
Conclusion: The correct option is B.
Question 20Exam Pattern

123 : 36 :: 221 : ?

A) 52
B) 69
C) 72
D) 25
Correct answer: D) 25

Solution

Step 1: Try to relate the digits of the first number to the second.
Step 2: Sum of digits of 123 is \( 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 \).
Step 3: Square the sum: \( 6^2 = 36 \).
Step 4: Apply to 221: Sum of digits is \( 2 + 2 + 1 = 5 \).
Step 5: Square the sum: \( 5^2 = 25 \).
Conclusion: The correct option is D.

Strategy errors to avoid

!

Changing Direction

If the first pair is (Cause : Effect), the second pair must also be (Cause : Effect), not (Effect : Cause).

!

Ignoring Better Logic

In number analogies, Squares/Cubes always take priority over simple addition or multiplication. Always check power rules first.

Master the next modules

Classification (Odd One Out)Series CompletionCoding-Decoding