HERE YOU'LL FIND a sample GRE Analogy question, along with a "QuickTip" and a detailed analysis of the question. This question is somewhat more difficult than average—about 50% of GRE test-testers would answer it correctly.
Here are the key "specs" for GRE Analogies:
HOW MANY: 9 questions
WHERE: In the 30-minute Verbal Ability section, interspersed with Sentence Completions, Antonyms, and Reading Comprehension sets
FORMAT: Multiple-choice (you select one of 5 choices by clicking on an oval)
SKILLS TESTED: Your ability to understand relationships between the meaning of words (GRE Analogies also gauge your vocabulary)
DIRECTIONS: The following directions will appear on your screen—just before your first Analogy question (and you can access them while tackling any Analogy question by clicking on the HELP button).
Directions: In this question, a word pair in capital letters is followed by five other word pairs. Choose the pair among those five that expresses a relationship most similar to the relationship expressed in the capitalized pair.
To review these directions for subsequent questions of this type, click on HELP.
Sample Question
PRESERVE : MORATORIUM ::
tyrannize : revolt shade : tree solve : problem accumulate : collection cover : eclipse
QuickTip:
One type of relationship frequently appearing among Analogy word pairs is that of function, or use. In this type of relationship, one word is essentially a tool, while the other is a function, purpose, or use of that tool.
Analysis
A moratorium is an official halt or cessation of an activity. One possible purpose, or use, of a moratorium is to preserve (for instance, to preserve an endangered animal species). Similarly, one possible use of a tree is to shade. The second answer choice is the best response.
The first answer choice: Is one possible use of a revolt to tyrannize? No. The purpose of a revolt might be to stop tyranny (which means "oppressive rule").
The third answer choice: Is one possible use of a problem to solve? No.
The fourth answer choice: Is one possible use of a collection to accumulate? No. The relationship between these two words is just the opposite: One possible purpose of accumulating is to form a collection.
The fifth answer choice: Is one possible use of an eclipse to cover? No. Covering is part of the definition of eclipse.
Sample Question