Rejecting a near-miss analogy

Learning outcome

When two options feel related to the third word, keep only the option that matches the first pair in kind and in direction.

Concepts and reasons

A near miss is related to the third word, but not by the relation in the first pair. SSC options are often built this way: one choice is the product, one is the place, one is the material, and one copies the actual relation.

Test an option in three steps.

1. Name the relation from the first pair in a short phrase, such as "member of a collection" or "tool used for a purpose".
2. Keep the direction. Member : collection is not collection : member.
3. Reject an option that uses a different relation, even if that option is true in ordinary language.

Tree : forest is a member and its collection. Star : sky is a thing and a place, so sky does not copy the relation. Star : galaxy does, because a star is a member of a galaxy.

Knife : cut is an object and its purpose. Pen : ink is an object and a material. Pen : write copies the purpose relation.

Worked examples

Example 1. Soldier : army :: player : ? A soldier is a member of an army. A player is a member of a team. Stadium is the place, game is the activity, and captain is one role inside the team. The matching answer is team.

Example 2. Oven : bake :: scissors : ? An oven is used to bake, so the relation is object and purpose. Scissors are used to cut. Cloth is the material they act on, steel is what they may be made of, and tailor is the worker. The answer is cut.

Example 3. Author : book :: composer : ? An author produces a book. A composer produces music. Pen is the author's tool, so it would answer a different first pair, such as author : pen.

Common traps

A true statement about the third word can still be the wrong analogy. "A player uses a stadium" is true, but the first pair was not worker and place. Do not choose the most familiar word. Choose the word that lets you repeat the same sentence pattern for both pairs.

Practice questions

1. Poet : poem :: painter : ? Choose between brush, gallery and painting, and say why.
2. Bird : flock :: cow : ?
3. Needle : sew :: broom : ? Why is dust the wrong answer?

Answers and explanations

1. A poet produces a poem. A painter produces a painting. Brush is the tool, and gallery is the place.
2. A bird is a member of a flock. A cow is a member of a herd. The answer is herd.
3. A needle is used to sew. A broom is used to sweep. Dust is what a broom removes, which is the object acted on, not the purpose.

Analogy

Soldier : army :: player : team.

A soldier is a member of an army, so a player is a member of a team. Stadium is the place, which is a different relation.

Quick reference

• Write the relation as a sentence that fits both pairs.
• A near miss is true, but it answers a different sentence.
• Check product, place, material, and tool before choosing.
• Familiarity is not the relation.