Understanding Analogies in Reasoning

This question is a type of analogy problem, which tests your ability to identify the relationship between a pair of words and apply that same relationship to another pair. The core task is to understand how the first two words, 'Hot' and 'Cold', are related and then find a word that has the same relationship with 'Heavy'.

Analyzing the Relationship: Hot and Cold

Let's look at the relationship between 'Hot' and 'Cold'. These two words represent opposite ends of a spectrum, typically temperature. 'Hot' signifies a high temperature, while 'Cold' signifies a low temperature. They are antonyms.

Applying the Relationship to Heavy

Now, we need to find a word that has the same relationship (being an antonym) with 'Heavy'. 'Heavy' describes something that has significant weight or is difficult to lift. We are looking for its opposite.

Let's examine the given options:

• Option 1: Light - 'Light' describes something that has little weight and is easy to lift. 'Heavy' and 'Light' are antonyms.
• Option 2: Big - 'Big' describes size or volume, not weight. Its antonym would be 'Small'.
• Option 3: Small - 'Small' describes size or volume, not weight. Its antonym would be 'Big'.
• Option 4: Short - 'Short' describes length or height. Its antonym would be 'Tall' or 'Long'.

Comparing the options, 'Light' is the word that is the antonym of 'Heavy', just as 'Hot' is the antonym of 'Cold'.

Determining the Correct Analogy

The analogy is based on the relationship of antonyms:

'Hot' : 'Cold' :: 'Heavy' : 'Light'

The symbol ':' means "is to" and '::' means "as". So, "Hot is to Cold as Heavy is to Light".

Conclusion on the Analogy Problem

The relationship between 'Hot' and 'Cold' is that they are opposites (antonyms). Applying this same relationship to 'Heavy', its opposite is 'Light'. Therefore, the word that completes the analogy is 'Light'.

Revision Table: Analogy Relationships

Additional Information: Solving Verbal Analogies

Verbal analogies are a common type of question in reasoning tests. To solve them effectively, follow these steps:

• Identify the relationship between the first pair of words. This is the most crucial step.
• Express the relationship clearly in a sentence or phrase. For example, "A is the opposite of B," or "A is a part of B," or "A is used by B."
• Look at the first word of the second pair and apply the exact same relationship to find the missing word from the options.
• Test each option to see which one fits the identified relationship.
• Beware of distractor options that may have a loose connection but not the specific relationship found in the first pair.

Practice identifying different types of relationships to improve your ability to solve analogy problems quickly and accurately.