Understanding Analogy: Study, Knowledge, Work, and Experience

An analogy question asks us to find a relationship between two words and apply that same relationship to a different pair of words. The given analogy is ‘Study’ is related to ‘Knowledge’.

Analyzing the Relationship between Study and Knowledge

Let's examine the relationship between 'Study' and 'Knowledge'.

• ‘Study’ is the process or action of learning or gaining information.
• ‘Knowledge’ is the information, understanding, or skill gained through study.

So, the relationship is that 'Knowledge' is an outcome or result of 'Study'. Study is the action, and Knowledge is what you acquire from that action.

Applying the Relationship to Work

Now, we need to find a word that relates to ‘Work’ in the same way that ‘Knowledge’ relates to ‘Study’. We are looking for something that is an outcome or result of ‘Work’.

Evaluating the Options

Let's look at the provided options:

1. Experience
2. Training
3. Salary
4. Employment

We will analyse each option:

• Experience: When someone works, they gain experience. Experience is the knowledge or skill acquired through a period of work. This fits the pattern where 'Experience' is an outcome or result of 'Work'.
• Training: Training is usually something done before or during work to improve skills. It's a preparatory or ongoing process, not the primary result of the work itself in the same way knowledge is a result of study.
• Salary: Salary is the payment received for work. While it is a consequence of working, it is a form of compensation rather than an inherent outcome of the work process itself, like gaining knowledge from studying.
• Employment: Employment is the state of having a job. It's the condition that allows you to work, not the result of the work performed.

Determining the Correct Analogy

Comparing the options, ‘Experience’ is the word that best represents an outcome or result of ‘Work’, mirroring how ‘Knowledge’ is the outcome or result of ‘Study’.

The analogy holds: Study : Knowledge :: Work : Experience.

Therefore, ‘Work’ is related to ‘Experience’ in the same way that ‘Study’ is related to ‘Knowledge’.

Revision Table: Key Concepts

Additional Information on Analogies

Analogies are a common type of question in reasoning tests. They assess your ability to identify relationships between concepts. There are many types of relationships you might encounter, such as:

• Cause and Effect (e.g., Heat : Expansion)
• Part to Whole (e.g., Finger : Hand)
• Synonyms (e.g., Happy : Joyful)
• Antonyms (e.g., Hot : Cold)
• Worker and Tool (e.g., Carpenter : Hammer)
• Action and Object (e.g., Read : Book)

To solve analogy questions, always first determine the precise relationship between the first pair of words. Then, look for the option that shares that same relationship with the third word.