Understanding Time Analogies

This question asks us to find the relationship between pairs of words and apply that same relationship to a third pair. The words represent units of time.

Analyzing the Given Time Relationships

Let's look at the relationships provided in the first two pairs:

• Year : Month: A Year is a larger unit of time, and a Month is a smaller unit of time that is a common division of a year. There are 12 months in a year.
• Week : Day: A Week is a larger unit of time, and a Day is a smaller unit of time that is a division of a week. There are 7 days in a week.

From these two pairs, we can see a consistent pattern:

Larger Unit of Time : Smaller Unit of Time that is a direct subdivision

Applying the Pattern to the Third Pair

The third pair given is:

Minute : ?

Following the established pattern, we need to find a smaller unit of time that is a direct subdivision of a Minute.

Let's consider the options:

• Leap year: A leap year is related to a Year, not a Minute. This doesn't fit.
• Fortnight: A fortnight is a period of two weeks (14 days). This is related to Weeks and Days, not Minutes. This doesn't fit.
• Hour: An Hour is a larger unit of time than a Minute (60 minutes make an hour). The pattern requires a smaller unit. This doesn't fit.
• Second: A Second is a smaller unit of time, and it is a direct subdivision of a Minute (60 seconds make a minute). This perfectly fits the pattern.

Therefore, the word that completes the analogy Minute : ? is Second.

Conclusion on Time Analogy

The analogy follows the relationship where the second word is a primary, smaller unit of time that makes up the first, larger unit of time. Applying this to Minute : ?, the correct word is Second because seconds are the direct subdivisions that make up a minute.

Revision Table: Time Unit Conversions

Additional Information: Types of Analogies in Reasoning

Analogies are often used in reasoning tests to assess a candidate's ability to identify relationships between concepts. Common types of analogies include:

• Part-to-Whole (e.g., Finger : Hand)
• Object and Quality (e.g., Snow : Cold)
• Cause and Effect (e.g., Study : Grade)
• Worker and Tool (e.g., Carpenter : Hammer)
• Synonyms (e.g., Happy : Joyful)
• Antonyms (e.g., Hot : Cold)
• Measurement (e.g., Length : Meter - relates unit to property)
• Sequential (e.g., Birth : Death)
• Classification (e.g., Dog : Mammal)

The analogy presented in the question is a type of Measurement/Part-to-Whole relationship focused on standard time units.