Understanding the Word Analogy Question

This question asks us to find a relationship between two words and apply the same relationship to another word to find its related counterpart from the given options. This type of question is called a word analogy.

The first pair of words given is ‘Complicated’ and ‘Simple’.

Analyzing the Relationship: Complicated and Simple

Let's consider the meanings of ‘Complicated’ and ‘Simple’:

• Complicated: Involving many different and confusing aspects; intricate or difficult.
• Simple: Easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty; not complicated.

Looking at these definitions, we can see that ‘Complicated’ and ‘Simple’ have opposite meanings. They are antonyms.

Applying the Relationship to Shrink

The analogy states that ‘Complicated’ is related to ‘Simple’ in the same way as ‘Shrink’ is related to the missing word. Since the relationship between the first pair is antonymy, the relationship between ‘Shrink’ and the missing word must also be antonymy.

We need to find the antonym of ‘Shrink’.

• Shrink: To become smaller in size, amount, or extent.

Now let's look at the options provided and find the word that means the opposite of becoming smaller.

Evaluating the Options

Let's examine each option:

• Option 1: Expand

  Expand: To become larger in size, amount, or extent; to spread out.

  This word has the opposite meaning of ‘Shrink’. If something shrinks, it gets smaller. If something expands, it gets larger. This fits the required antonym relationship.

• Option 2: Execute

  Execute: To carry out or put into effect (a plan, order, or course of action); to perform (a dramatic role or piece of music).

  This word is related to performing or doing something, not to changing size. It is not the antonym of ‘Shrink’.

• Option 3: Shorten

  Shorten: To make or become shorter.

  This word describes becoming less long. While it relates to reducing size in one dimension, it is more specific than ‘Shrink’ (which implies overall reduction in size) and is not its direct opposite in the same way ‘Expand’ is the opposite of getting smaller in general.

• Option 4: Narrow

  Narrow: To make or become smaller in width.

  This word describes becoming less wide. Like ‘Shorten’, it relates to reducing size in one dimension but is not the direct general opposite of ‘Shrink’ in the same way ‘Expand’ is.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis of the options, ‘Expand’ is the word that is the direct antonym of ‘Shrink’. Therefore, ‘Shrink’ is related to ‘Expand’ in the same way as ‘Complicated’ is related to ‘Simple’.

Revision Table: Word Relationships

Additional Information on Analogies

Analogies are comparisons that show how two things are alike in some way. Word analogies specifically test your vocabulary and your ability to understand the relationships between word meanings. Common types of relationships include:

• Synonyms (similar meanings)
• Antonyms (opposite meanings)
• Part to Whole (e.g., Finger is to Hand)
• Cause and Effect (e.g., Heat is to Evaporation)
• Worker and Tool (e.g., Carpenter is to Hammer)
• Action and Object (e.g., Read is to Book)
• Degree (e.g., Warm is to Hot)

To solve word analogies, always identify the relationship between the first pair of words first, and then find the option that creates the same relationship with the third word.