What Are Pair of Words?
- Pair of Words questions test your ability to recognize and apply logical relationships.
- They appear in job tests, entrance exams, and competitive reasoning assessments.
- Your task is to identify the relationship between two given words and apply the same logic to another pair.
Types of Pair of Words Relationships
1. Synonymy
- Definition: The words in the pair have similar meanings.
- Example: Fast : Quick → Slow : Sluggish
- Logic: Both pairs are synonyms, indicating similarity in meaning.
2. Antonymy
- Definition: The words have opposite meanings.
- Example: Win : Lose → Love : Hate
- Logic: Each pair contrasts in meaning.
3. Object to Purpose
- Definition: The first word represents an object, and the second its purpose.
- Example: Key : Unlock → Knife : Cut
- Logic: The second word shows what the object is used for.
4. Part to Whole
- Definition: The first word is a component of the second.
- Example: Wheel : Car → Petal : Flower
- Logic: Each pair shows a part-to-whole relationship.
5. Cause and Effect
- Definition: The first word represents a cause, and the second its effect.
- Example: Study : Success → Negligence : Failure
- Logic: The second word is a direct result of the first.
6. Worker and Tool
- Definition: The first word represents a profession, and the second their primary tool.
- Example: Carpenter : Hammer → Barber : Scissors
- Logic: The second word is essential for the work of the first.
Approach to Solving Pair of Words Questions
- Analyze the First Pair: Identify the relationship between the two words.
- Apply the Same Logic: Look for a pair among the options that follows the same relationship.
- Eliminate Irrelevant Choices: Discard options that don’t match the pattern.
- Double-check: Ensure that your chosen pair aligns with the given relationship.
Examples with Explanations
Example 1
Sun : Day :: Moon : ?
- Options:
- a) Sky
- b) Night
- c) Light
- d) Star
Answer: Night
- Explanation: The sun is associated with the day, and the moon is associated with the night.
Example 2
Doctor : Stethoscope :: Farmer : ?
- Options:
- a) Tractor
- b) Hoe
- c) Plow
- d) Field
Answer: Plow
- Explanation: A doctor uses a stethoscope, and a farmer uses a plow.
Exercises for Practice
Exercise 1
Rain : Flood :: Fire : ?
- Options:
- a) Smoke
- b) Ashes
- c) Blaze
- d) Destruction
Your Answer: _______
Exercise 2
Tree : Forest :: Star : ?
- Options:
- a) Sky
- b) Constellation
- c) Night
- d) Galaxy
Your Answer: _______
Exercise 3
Author : Book :: Painter : ?
- Options:
- a) Canvas
- b) Brush
- c) Color
- d) Portrait
Your Answer: _______
Pro Tips for Pair of Words Mastery
- Memorize Common Relationships: Learn typical word associations like synonymy, antonymy, and part-to-whole.
- Expand Your Vocabulary: The richer your vocabulary, the quicker you’ll spot patterns.
- Practice Different Types: Work on a variety of pair types to sharpen your skills.
- Think Logically: If unsure, compare all options to the given pair’s relationship.
Conclusion
- Pair of Words questions challenge both your language skills and logical reasoning.
- By understanding common relationships and practicing regularly, you can excel in these questions.
- Use the exercises above to test yourself and refine your ability to analyze word pairs.