Verbal Analogies Practice Test Questions - Verbal Ability -- Free Practice

Question 1

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
DICTIONARY : THESAURUS :: ?

A

encyclopedia : historian✓✗

B

listing : marker✓✗

C

derivation : description✓✗

D

definition : synonym✓✗

Explanation

A dictionary provides definitions of words; a thesaurus provides synonyms of words -- matching the relationship "definition : synonym."

Question 2

Select the pair that best expresses a relationship similar to that in: Hierarchy : Ranked

A

Equation : Solved✓✗

B

Critique : Biased✓✗

C

Chronology : Sequential✓✗

D

Infinity : Fixed✓✗

Explanation

A hierarchy is characterized by being ranked; a chronology is characterized by being sequential -- matching the "noun defined by its characteristic ordering" relationship.

Question 3

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
SALVE : WOUND :: ?

A

utter : apology✓✗

B

mollify : anger✓✗

C

expiate : reprehensible✓✗

D

thesis : evidence✓✗

Explanation

A salve soothes a wound; to mollify is to soothe anger.

Question 4

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
MYSTIFY : UNDERSTANDING :: ?

A

nip : maturation✓✗

B

insure : disaster✓✗

C

rearrange : order✓✗

D

intensify : endurance✓✗

Explanation

To mystify is to prevent/block understanding; to "nip in the bud" is to prevent maturation.

Question 5

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
TRIAL : JURY :: ?

A

nap : sleep✓✗

B

poll : contestant✓✗

C

match : competitor✓✗

D

dispute : arbiter✓✗

Explanation

A trial is judged/decided by a jury; a dispute is judged/decided by an arbiter.

Question 6

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
KERNEL : NUT :: ?

A

thorn : stem✓✗

B

yolk : egg✓✗

C

grape : raisin✓✗

D

laughter : joke✓✗

Explanation

A kernel is the inner part of a nut; a yolk is the inner part of an egg.

Question 7

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
CAPTION : CARTOON :: ?

A

byline : newspaper✓✗

B

subtitle : film✓✗

C

painting : hang✓✗

D

billboard : road✓✗

Explanation

A caption is explanatory text accompanying a cartoon; a subtitle is explanatory text accompanying a film.

Question 8

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
DEVOUT : PIETY :: ?

A

restless : energy✓✗

B

officious : competence✓✗

C

compliant : submissiveness✓✗

D

fallacious : accuracy✓✗

Explanation

Devout describes someone marked by great piety; compliant describes someone marked by great submissiveness.

Question 9

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
JUNCTURE : CONNECT :: ?

A

future : occur✓✗

B

terminus : end✓✗

C

insecure : doubt✓✗

D

pathetic : pity✓✗

Explanation

A juncture is a point associated with connecting; a terminus is a point associated with ending.

Question 10

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
PALLID : COLOR :: ?

A

parched : moisture✓✗

B

vital : energy✓✗

C

endure : patience✓✗

D

deliberate : intention✓✗

Explanation

Pallid means lacking color; parched means lacking moisture.

Question 11

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
FRATERNIZE : AMIABLE :: ?

A

collaborate : cooperative✓✗

B

squander : opportunity✓✗

C

choreography : dance✓✗

D

persist : successful✓✗

Explanation

To fraternize reflects being amiable; to collaborate reflects being cooperative.

Question 12

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
POSTSCRIPT : LETTER :: ?

A

signature : name✓✗

B

index : page✓✗

C

epilogue : play✓✗

D

merciful : justice✓✗

Explanation

A postscript is an addition at the end of a letter; an epilogue is an addition at the end of a play.

Question 13

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
ICONOCLAST : ORTHODOXY :: ?

A

scientist : theory✓✗

B

impostor : identity✓✗

C

libertarian : tyranny✓✗

D

conformist : expectation✓✗

Explanation

An iconoclast opposes orthodoxy; a libertarian opposes tyranny.

Question 14

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
EMULATE : PERSON :: ?

A

gourmand : food✓✗

B

collector : ownership✓✗

C

cooperate : partner✓✗

D

mimic : gesture✓✗

Explanation

To emulate is to imitate a person (aspirationally); to mimic is to imitate a gesture.

Question 15

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
IMPIOUS : REVERENCE :: ?

A

dislike : hypocrisy✓✗

B

profane : behavior✓✗

C

contrite : offense✓✗

D

contemptuous : scorn✓✗

Explanation

Impious describes a person lacking reverence; profane describes behavior lacking reverence/sanctity.

Question 16

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
ABASH : EMBARRASSMENT :: ?

A

paranoid : persecution✓✗

B

superficial : depth✓✗

C

annoy : irritation✓✗

D

suspect : illegality✓✗

Explanation

To abash is to cause embarrassment; to annoy is to cause irritation.

Question 17

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
DRAFT : POEM :: ?

A

proof : photograph✓✗

B

reproduction : painting✓✗

C

index : catalog✓✗

D

review : film✓✗

Explanation

A draft is a preliminary version of a poem; a proof is a preliminary version of a photograph.

Question 18

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
TACTILE : TOUCH :: ?

A

musical : hearing✓✗

B

exploited : protection✓✗

C

sensitive : feeling✓✗

D

visible : sight✓✗

Explanation

Tactile relates to the sense of touch; visible relates to the sense of sight.

Question 19

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
FORT : ATTACK :: ?

A

spice : flavor✓✗

B

vault : theft✓✗

C

fence : house✓✗

D

army : battle✓✗

Explanation

A fort is built to withstand attack; a vault is built to withstand theft.

Question 20

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
HIERARCHY : RANKED :: ?

A

equation : solved✓✗

B

toady : important✓✗

C

chronology : sequential✓✗

D

critique : biased✓✗

Explanation

A hierarchy is characterized by being ranked; a chronology is characterized by being sequential.

Question 21

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
CONDESCENDING : RESPECT :: ?

A

bashful : attention✓✗

B

merciless : compassion✓✗

C

circumspection : caution✓✗

D

obliging : thanks✓✗

Explanation

Condescending implies a lack of genuine respect; merciless implies a lack of compassion.

Question 22

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
BARLEY : GRAIN :: ?

A

yeast : bread✓✗

B

vine : fruit✓✗

C

horse : saddle✓✗

D

pine : tree✓✗

Explanation

Barley is a type of grain; pine is a type of tree.

Question 23

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
STIMULANT : ACTIVITY :: ?

A

fertilizer : growth✓✗

B

symptom : disease✓✗

C

resilient : shock✓✗

D

soluble : water✓✗

Explanation

A stimulant increases activity; a fertilizer increases growth.

Question 24

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
TOURNIQUET : BLEEDING :: ?

A

relapse : condition✓✗

B

splint : movement✓✗

C

lotion : skin✓✗

D

inflation : expanding✓✗

Explanation

A tourniquet is used to stop bleeding; a splint is used to stop movement.

Question 25

Select the pair of words that has the most similar relationship to the capitalized pair:
DETERIORATION : RUST :: ?

A

Depression : Unemployment✓✗

B

Promulgation : Legislation✓✗

C

Emaciation : Debilitation✓✗

D

Recession : Inefficiency✓✗

Explanation

Rust is a visible symptom of deterioration (of metal); unemployment is a visible symptom/indicator of economic depression.