Understanding the Analogy: Sheep and Cockroach

The question asks us to find the word that completes the analogy: Sheep : Lamb : : Cockroach : ?

An analogy compares two pairs of words or phrases to show a relationship between them. In this specific analogy, we need to identify the relationship between the first pair (Sheep and Lamb) and apply the same relationship to the third word (Cockroach) to find the fourth word.

Identifying the Relationship (Sheep : Lamb)

The first pair is Sheep : Lamb.

• A Sheep is a common domesticated ruminant animal.
• A Lamb is the young one of a Sheep.

So, the relationship between Sheep and Lamb is that of an adult animal to its young one.

Applying the Relationship to Cockroach

Now, we apply the same adult-to-young relationship to the third word, Cockroach. We need to find the term for the young one of a Cockroach.

• A Cockroach is an insect that undergoes incomplete metamorphosis.
• We need to find the term for the young one of a Cockroach from the given options.

Analyzing the Options for Cockroach Young

Let's look at the given options:

1. Caterpillar
2. Nymph
3. Filly
4. Larva

Let's examine each option:

• Caterpillar: A caterpillar is the larval stage of insects undergoing complete metamorphosis, specifically butterflies and moths. A cockroach undergoes incomplete metamorphosis. Therefore, this is incorrect.
• Nymph: A nymph is the immature form of some insects that undergo incomplete metamorphosis. Insects like grasshoppers, termites, and cockroaches have a nymph stage that resembles the adult but is smaller and lacks fully developed wings. This fits the definition of the young of a cockroach.
• Filly: A filly is a young female horse. This is completely unrelated to insects like cockroaches. Therefore, this is incorrect.
• Larva: A larva is the immature form of insects that undergo complete metamorphosis (like beetles, flies, butterflies). Cockroaches undergo incomplete metamorphosis. Therefore, this is incorrect.

Based on the analysis, the young one of a Cockroach is called a Nymph.

Completing the Analogy

Sheep : Lamb (Adult : Young) : : Cockroach : Nymph (Adult : Young)

Therefore, the word that completes the analogy is Nymph.

Revision Table: Animal Young Ones

Additional Information: Insect Metamorphosis

Insects grow and develop through a process called metamorphosis. There are two main types:

• Complete Metamorphosis: Insects go through four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larva looks very different from the adult (e.g., caterpillar to butterfly, maggot to fly, grub to beetle).
• Incomplete Metamorphosis: Insects go through three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. The nymph usually resembles a smaller version of the adult, often without fully developed wings. They molt several times, getting larger with each molt until they reach the adult stage (e.g., cockroach, grasshopper, cricket, dragonfly).

Understanding the type of metamorphosis helps identify the correct term for the young stage of an insect.