Understanding Word Relationships: Analogy Solving

This question asks us to find a word that completes an analogy. An analogy shows a relationship between two pairs of words. We need to identify the relationship in the first pair and apply the same relationship to the second pair.

Analyzing the First Word Pair: Praise and Condemn

The first pair of words is 'Praise' and 'Condemn'. Let's think about the meaning of these words:

• Praise: To express approval of or admiration for someone or something.
• Condemn: To express complete disapproval of, typically in public; censure.

These two words have opposite meanings. 'Praise' is about giving positive feedback, while 'Condemn' is about giving strong negative feedback or judgment. Therefore, the relationship between 'Praise' and 'Condemn' is that they are antonyms (opposites).

Applying the Relationship to the Second Word Pair: Lazy and _______

The second word pair is 'Lazy' and the word we need to find. Since the relationship in the first pair is antonyms, the relationship between 'Lazy' and the missing word must also be antonyms. We need to find the opposite of 'Lazy' among the given options.

Let's define 'Lazy': Unwilling to work or use energy; inactive.

Now let's examine the options provided:

1. Calm: Not easily excited or upset. This is not the opposite of lazy.
2. Inactive: Not engaging in or involving any or much physical activity. This word is actually similar in meaning to lazy, not the opposite.
3. Honest: Free of deceit; truthful and sincere. This is not related to being lazy or its opposite.
4. Industrious: Diligent and hardworking. This word describes someone who is willing to work and use energy, which is the direct opposite of being lazy.

Finding the Antonym of Lazy

Based on the analysis, the word that is the antonym of 'Lazy' among the options is 'Industrious'.

Conclusion on the Analogy

The analogy 'Praise' is to 'Condemn' is based on the antonym relationship. Applying the same antonym relationship, 'Lazy' is to 'Industrious'.

Therefore, 'Lazy' is related to 'Industrious' in the same way as 'Praise' is related to 'Condemn'.

Revision Table: Key Analogy Terms

Additional Information: Solving Word Analogy Questions

Word analogy questions test your ability to understand the relationships between words. Here are some common types of relationships you might encounter:

• Antonyms (Opposites)
• Synonyms (Similar meanings)
• Part to Whole (Finger is to Hand)
• Cause and Effect (Rain is to Flood)
• Worker and Tool (Carpenter is to Hammer)
• Action and Object (Read is to Book)
• Degree (Warm is to Hot)
• Category (Dog is to Mammal)

To solve these questions effectively:

1. Identify the relationship between the first pair of words. State the relationship clearly (e.g., "X is an antonym of Y", "X is a part of Y").
2. Examine the first word in the second pair.
3. Look at the options and try to find a word that has the same relationship with the second word's first term as found in step 1.
4. Eliminate options that do not fit the relationship.
5. Choose the option that best completes the analogy based on the identified relationship.