HSPT: Degree analogies: same idea, stronger form
Learn to spot pairs where the second word is a stronger or larger form of the first, and to reject opposites, equal-strength synonyms and reversed pairs.
How do you solve an analogy when both words mean almost the same thing?
Short answer
Check whether one word is a stronger or bigger form of the other, and in which direction. The answer pair shows the same idea growing or shrinking in the same direction.
Know first: The bridge-sentence method for analogies, Synonyms and antonyms
Step 1 of 5
Degree means one idea at two strengths
In a degree analogy, both words describe the same idea, but one is more intense. To glance is to look briefly. To stare is to look for a long time. Same action, different amount.
The bridge sentence has a direction built in: ___ is a stronger form of ___, or ___ is a weaker form of ___. The answer has to go the same way.
| Kind of idea | Weaker to stronger |
|---|---|
| Feeling | like to adore, dislike to loathe |
| Size | pebble to boulder, cottage to mansion |
| Action | jog to sprint, nibble to devour |
| Amount | damp to drenched |
| Sound | chuckle to guffaw |
A guffaw is a loud, hearty laugh, so it's a stronger form of a chuckle.
Step 2 of 5
Check the idea, then the direction
Worked example: GLANCE : STARE
Which pair has the same relationship as GLANCE : STARE?
- Agulp : sip
- Blook : see
- Cdrink : thirst
- Dsip : gulp
- 1
Build the bridge with a direction
A stare is a longer, stronger form of a glance. Weaker first, stronger second.
- 2
Test each pair
Gulp : sip goes stronger to weaker. Reversed.
Look : see are related, but seeing isn't a bigger form of looking.
Drink : thirst is an action and the reason for it.
Sip : gulp is the same action, drinking, from small to large. Yes. - 3
Name the traps
The first choice is the reversed pair, built to catch anyone who only checks for a degree link. Look : see is the same-topic trap, since it's also about the eyes.
Answer
sip : gulp. A gulp is a bigger form of a sip, just as a stare is a bigger form of a glance.
Wrong: DISLIKE : LOATHE matches enormous : big
Right: DISLIKE : LOATHE matches big : enormous
Both pairs show a degree link, but the question pair goes weaker to stronger. Only big : enormous goes the same way.
Step 3 of 5
Try it yourself
Check yourself · Question 1
Which pair has the same relationship as TAP : POUND?
Answer: B
Bridge: To pound is to hit much harder than a tap. To shove is to push much harder than a nudge. Weaker first, stronger second.
Check yourself · Question 2
Which pair has the same relationship as UNHAPPY : MISERABLE?
Answer: D
Bridge: Miserable is a much stronger form of unhappy. Terrified is a much stronger form of worried. Both go weaker to stronger.
Trap answer: nervous : anxious
Equal-strength synonyms
- Why it looks right
- Both words are feelings, like the question pair, and they mean nearly the same thing.
- Why it's wrong
- In the question pair, the second word is much stronger. Anxious isn't much stronger than nervous.
- The right answer
- worried : terrified, which goes from a mild feeling to an intense one.
Check yourself · Question 3
Which pair has the same relationship as HILL : MOUNTAIN?
Answer: B
Bridge: A mountain is a much larger form of a hill. A river is a much larger form of a stream. Smaller first, larger second.
Common mistake
Treating any two words with similar meanings as a match.
- Why it's tempting
- Synonyms and degree pairs both feel like "words that mean about the same thing."
- Do this instead
- Ask two questions: Is one word clearly stronger? Which one comes first? A match needs the same answer to both.
Step 4 of 5
What to remember
Remember
- A degree pair names one idea at two strengths or sizes.
- Say the direction in your bridge: weaker to stronger, or stronger to weaker.
- Reject opposites, equal-strength synonyms and pairs that run the other direction.
Step 5 of 5
Practice on a real question
Use what you just learned on this question, then check the explanation.
In your own words
In the practice question, which word was the stronger form, and which choice ran in the wrong direction or used words of equal strength?