Solving the Mettle : Diffidence :: Noxious : ? Analogy

This question asks us to find the word that completes the analogy. The relationship between the first pair of words, "Mettle" and "Diffidence", must be the same as the relationship between the third word, "Noxious", and the word we need to find.

Analyzing the Relationship: Mettle : Diffidence

• Mettle: This word refers to a person's ability to cope well with difficulties or to face a demanding situation in a spirited and resilient way. It means courage, spirit, or fortitude.
• Diffidence: This word describes the quality of being modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence. It means shyness or hesitancy.

Looking at the meanings, "Mettle" (courage, spirit) is the opposite of "Diffidence" (lack of self-confidence, shyness). So, the relationship between Mettle and Diffidence is that they are antonyms (words with opposite meanings).

Applying the Relationship: Noxious : ?

We need to find a word that is the antonym of "Noxious".

• Noxious: This word means harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant.

Now let's examine the given options to find the antonym of Noxious.

Evaluating the Options for Noxious's Antonym

1. Harmless: This means not harmful or injurious. This word has the opposite meaning of Noxious.
2. Disastrous: This means causing great damage, ruin, or misfortune. This word is similar in meaning to harmful, not an antonym of Noxious.
3. Pernicious: This means having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way. This word is a synonym of Noxious, not an antonym.
4. Profitable: This means yielding a profit or financial gain. This word is unrelated to the meaning of Noxious.

Based on the definitions, "Harmless" is the direct opposite, or antonym, of "Noxious".

Conclusion

The relationship between Mettle and Diffidence is antonymous. Therefore, the relationship between Noxious and the missing word must also be antonymous. The antonym of Noxious is Harmless.

Thus, the correct option is Harmless.

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary from the Analogy

Additional Information on Word Analogies

Word analogies are a common type of verbal reasoning question. They test your vocabulary and your ability to identify relationships between words. Common relationships include:

• Antonyms (opposites)
• Synonyms (similar meanings)
• Part to Whole (e.g., Finger : Hand)
• Cause and Effect (e.g., Rain : Flood)
• Worker and Tool (e.g., Carpenter : Hammer)
• Action and Object (e.g., Read : Book)
• Degree of Intensity (e.g., Warm : Hot)

To solve word analogies, always first figure out the precise relationship between the first pair of words. Then, apply that exact same relationship to the third word to find the fourth word from the options.