Master the Gre 2010 - Part 34

Pay Attention to a Capitalized Word’s “Charge”—Positive, Negative, or Neutral If one of the capitalized words has either a negative or positive connotation, the corresponding word in the

Choice (A): Is a forest a place where lumber is stored for later use? Perhaps; but

we don’t really think of lumber as being “stored” in a forest

Choice (B): Is a kitchen a place where an oven is stored for later use? Perhaps; but

we don’t usually think of an oven as being “stored” in a kitchen

Choice (C): Is a silo a place where wheat is stored for later use? Yes Choice (C) is

a possible answer choice

Choice (D): Is a pipeline a place where oil is stored for later use? No; a pipeline

delivers oil from one place to another (often between two places of storage)

Choice (E): Is an animal a place where a zoo is stored? No; zoos are not stored in

animals

You’ve eliminated choice (E); now you can easily eliminate choices (A) and (B)

You can also see that choice (C) provides a stronger analogy than choice (D)

Some Analogies Work Better When You Turn Them Around

If you have trouble formulating a sentence in which you use the first capitalized word

before the second, try starting with the second word instead Just make sure to analyze

each answer choice in the same manner, using the second word first Let’s see how this

technique works on the following Analogy:

5 STAR : CONSTELLATION ::

(A) sand : dune

(B) iceberg : glacier

(C) feather : bird

(D) river : ocean

(E) trestle : track

The correct answer is (A) You might have trouble coming up with a graceful

sentence relating STAR to CONSTELLATION, so try relating

CONSTEL-LATION to STAR:

“A CONSTELLATION is made up of many individual STARS.”

Of course, since we reversed the order of the capitalized words, we must also

reverse the order of the words in each answer choice So here’s how to apply the

sentence to the answer choices:

Choice (A): Is a dune made up of many individual sands? The word sands might

not work grammatically in the sentence, but if you substitute sand particles, the

answer is yes—a dune is made of many individual sand particles

Choice (B): Is a glacier made up of many individual icebergs? Not really; an

iceberg is a piece of ice that has broken away from a glacier Until it breaks away,

it’s not an iceberg (You could say, however, that a glacier consists of many

potential icebergs, but that would strain the analogy.)

Choice (C): Is a bird made up of many individual feathers? No; a bird has many

feathers, but a bird consists of much more than just feathers

Choice (D): Is an ocean made up of many individual rivers? No; rivers might

contribute to an ocean’s waters, but oceans are apart and distinct from those rivers

Choice (E): Is a track made up of many individual trestles? No; a track rests on

top of trestles

As you can see, by reversing the order of the capitalized words, we came up with

a sentence that captured the word-pair relationship and helped us reveal the best analogy

Pay Attention to a Capitalized Word’s “Charge”—Positive, Negative, or Neutral

If one of the capitalized words has either a negative or positive connotation, the corresponding word in the correct answer choice will be similarly “charged.” But if the capitalized word is neutral, the corresponding word in the correct answer choice must be neutral as well Let’s apply this strategy to a GRE-style Analogy:

6 DETRIMENTAL : IMPACT ::

(A) fearful : timidity (B) joyful : emotion (C) painful : soreness (D) sluggish : pace (E) odious : smell The correct answer is (E) The word DETRIMENTAL (harmful) describes a

negative type of IMPACT, which is neutral in itself So the best answer choice’s first word should have a negative slant, while its second word should be neutral You can eliminate choices (A) and (C) because, in each one, the second word

(timidity or soreness, respectively) has a negative charge Conversely, you can eliminate choice (B) because the first word (joyful) is positively charged That leaves choices (D) and (E) The word sluggish describes a very slow pace, but it does not have a strong negative connotation On the other hand, odious (which means “repulsive”) is clearly a negative slant on the neutral word smell But even

if you didn’t know what odious means, you could eliminate all other choices based

on how their words are charged

Don’t Give Up If You Know Only One of the Two Words

in an Answer Choice

You can often eliminate an answer choice by knowing just one of the two words To see how you might apply this technique to a GRE-style Analogy, consider the following example:

7 DRINK : GUZZLE ::

(A) surrender : succumb

(B) swallow : regurgitate

(C) ingest : gorge

(D) breathe : respire

(E) engulf : envelop

The correct answer is (C) To GUZZLE is to DRINK without restraint in

amount Considering choice (A), if you don’t happen to know what succumb

means, ask yourself what word might convey the idea of an unrestrained amount

of surrender The concept of an amount of surrender doesn’t make sense, and so

it’s a good bet that choice (A) does not provide the best analogy You don’t need to

know the meaning of succumb (to give in, yield, or surrender) to rule out choice

(A) Similarly, the concept of an unrestrained amount of swallowing doesn’t make

much sense, and so choice (B) is probably not the best analogy, either

(Regur-gitate means “throw up” or “vomit.”)

By the same token, you can evaluate choice (C) without knowing what ingest

means, as long as you know that gorge means “eat without restraint in amount.”

Based just on this word, choice (C) looks like it might provide a good analogy

Indeed, it does—to ingest is to eat Choices (D) and (E) are incorrect because they

each provide a pair of synonyms

Make Educated Guesses About the Meanings of Unfamiliar Words

Either of the following might provide a clue about the meaning of an unfamiliar word in

a GRE Analogy:

• Another word that resembles the word in any way

• The word’s root or prefix

To underscore this point, here’s a GRE-style Analogy in which both capitalized words

provide clues about what they mean:

8 HETEROGENEITY : ASSIMILATION ::

(A) pride : jealousy

(B) deformity : birth

(C) punctuality : attention

(D) delay : obstacle

(E) contention : victory

The correct answer is (E) The word HETEROGENEITY contains the prefix

hetero-, which means “different.” The word ASSIMILATION adds a prefix and a

suffix to the common word similar Based on this information, it’s probably a good

bet that the meanings of the two words run contrary to each other On this basis

alone, you can easily eliminate choices (A), (B), and (D) As for choice (C), the

words punctuality and attention are not closely related to each other.

That leaves choice (E) For the record, ASSIMILATION (absorption) typically

results in homogeneity (sameness or similarity); that is, it serves to reduce or

eliminate HETEROGENEITY (diversity in character) Similarly, victory for one

TIP

Use any clue a capitalized word might provide to eliminate answer choices and improve your odds of picking the correct one.

means defeat for another; so victory often eliminates contention (rivalry) between

two foes The analogy, though not perfect, is strong enough

Eliminate an Answer Choice Where There’s No Clear Link Between the Two Words

If you find yourself stretching to find a link between an answer-choice word pair, consider your dilemma a hint that you should eliminate that choice without even thinking about the capitalized pair Here’s an analogy that illustrates this point:

9 STABLE : MERCURY ::

(A) abstract : transcript (B) tardy : meter (C) public : celebrity (D) narrow : proportion (E) underground : crime The correct answer is (A) Without even considering the capitalized pair, you

can eliminate choice (B), since tardy and meter are unrelated to each other (unless you really strain for a connection—which the GRE test designers don’t

expect of you) In each of the remaining pairs, the two words are somehow related For the record, an inherent characteristic of MERCURY is that it is

unstable (the opposite of STABLE) By the same token, a transcript is by

defi-nition a complete and accurate record of a real-life event, quite contrary to

something that is abstract.

Be Cautious of Answer Choices Involving the Same Topic as the Capitalized Pair

A GRE Analogy might include an answer choice containing words involving the same general subject matter as the capitalized pair Never assume it’s the best choice, but don’t eliminate it solely on this basis, either Always compare each answer choice to the capitalized pair without regard to similarity or dissimilarity in topic Here’s an Analogy that incorporates this type of red-flag answer choice:

10 TRAITOROUS : TRUSTING ::

(A) sophisticated : backward (B) successful : envious (C) pessimistic : rosy (D) loyal : steadfast (E) smart : ignorant The correct answer is (B) A TRAITOROUS person betrays the trust of

another, of a TRUSTING person The key here is that the two words are not antonyms; rather, they define a relationship between contrary sorts of people

The red-flag answer choice here is (D) The words loyal and steadfast both involve the same concept as traitorous and trusting But loyal and steadfast are simply

synonyms of each other, and so choice (D) provides a poor analogy—probably the worst of the five choices

You can also eliminate choices (A) and (C), which merely provide pairs of

anto-nyms As for choice (E), a smart person does not necessarily have any relationship

with an ignorant person That leaves choice (B) An envious person requires an

object of that envy, usually a person who is successful in ways that incites the

other’s envy The analogy with the capitalized pair is hardly perfect, but it’s

stronger than the other four choices

ANALOGY CATEGORIES YOU SHOULD KNOW

Most GRE Analogies fall into one of several categories, identified here by sample

sentences In each sentence, the two blanks indicate where you plug in the two words:

“ is a key characteristic of .”

“ is a function or use of .”

“ runs contrary in meaning to .”

“ operates against .”

“ is a type, form, or example of .”

“ is a place or environment for .”

“ is a condition for or ingredient of .”

“ is a part, element, or aspect of .”

“ is evidence or a result of .”

Knowing these categories will help make your task easier But don’t expect to solve

every GRE Analogy simply by plugging the word pair into one of these nine sentences

This might work for easier questions, but for tougher ones you’ll need to refine the

relationship further to home in on the correct answer

In the pages ahead, you’ll learn that each category includes at least a few distinct

patterns For each category, you’ll find sentences and illustrative word pairs to help

you recognize each pattern when you see it on the exam

“Key Characteristic” Analogies

In this type of relationship, one word helps explain the meaning of the other word Look

for one of two distinct patterns to help you refine the relationship:

Defining characteristic

Ideal (but not necessary) characteristic

DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC

“ is a characteristic that defines what a is.”

“By definition, a is .”

BRAVE : HERO

NOVEL : INVENTION (novel means “original or new”)

ALERT!

Be skeptical of answer choices involving the same topic as the capitalized pair, but don’t automatically eliminate an answer choice on this basis, either.

ALERT!

These categories are the ones you’re most likely to encounter

on the GRE—but don’t expect every Analogy to fit neatly into one of them You’ll probably encounter one or two oddballs as well So try to be flexible in handling GRE Analogies.

ALTRUISM : PHILANTHROPIST (a philanthropist is a generous humani-tarian; altruism means “good will or benevolence”)

IDEAL (BUT NOT NECESSARY) CHARACTERISTIC

“An effective must be .”

“An ideal should be .”

SWORD : SHARP FOUNDATION : STRENGTH

SURGEON : DEXTEROUS (dexterous means “skillful with one’s hands”)

11 RISK : UNCERTAINTY ::

(A) hope : dread (B) accusation : guilt (C) disrespect : dishonesty (D) arrow : straightness (E) cloud : haziness The correct answer is (E) RISK inherently involves UNCERTAINTY; in other

words, uncertainty is part of the definition of risk Is dread a defining character-istic of hope? No Dread means “apprehension or fear of a future event.” So the two words are contrary in meaning, and choice (A) is not correct Is guilt a defining characteristic of an accusation? No A person who is accused may not be

guilty In other words, guilt is not part of the definition of an accusation, so choice

(B) is not a good answer Is dishonesty a defining characteristic of disrespect? No;

so you can eliminate choice (C) Is straightness a defining characteristic of arrow?

No, so choice (D) is out A cloud inherently requires a degree of haziness; in other

words, haziness is part of what defines a cloud Choice (E) is a good analogy

“Function or Use” Analogies

In this relationship, one word is essentially a tool, and the other word is a function or use

of the tool Look for one of two distinct patterns to help you refine the relationship: Inherent purpose (function)

One of several possible uses or applications

INHERENT PURPOSE (FUNCTION)

“A is a tool designed to ”

“The chief purpose of is to ”

KEY : UNLOCK LOOM : WEAVE

BUTTRESS : REINFORCE (a buttress is a type of supporting structure)

TIP

In handling “key

characteristic” analogies, keep

in mind that the two words

must bear some similarity in

meaning, so you can quickly

eliminate any answer choice

in which the two words are

even the least bit contrary to

one another.

ONE OF SEVERAL POSSIBLE USES OR APPLICATIONS

“A can, but need not, be used to ”

“A can serve several functions, one of which is to ”

“A can , although it isn’t designed for this purpose.”

FINGER : POINT

SPEECH : INSPIRE

EDIFICE : MEMORIALIZE (an edifice is an imposing structure, typically a

monument)

12 PRESERVE : MORATORIUM ::

(A) tyrannize : revolt

(B) shade : tree

(C) solve : problem

(D) accumulate : collection

(E) cover : eclipse

The correct answer is (B) A MORATORIUM is an official halt or cessation of

an activity One possible use of a moratorium is to PRESERVE (for instance, to

preserve an endangered animal species) Is one possible use of a revolt to

tyr-annize? The purpose of a revolt might be to stop tyranny (which means

“oppressive rule”), so choice (A) is not correct One possible use of a tree is to

shade, so choice (B) is a good analogy Is one possible use of a problem to solve?

No, so choice (C) is out Is one possible use of a collection to accumulate? No A

collection is the result of accumulation, so choice (D) is not correct Is one possible

use of an eclipse to cover? No Covering is part of the definition of eclipse, so

choice (E) is not the best choice

Look out for red-flag answer choices In the question above, for example, accumulate

bears some similarity to PRESERVE (accumulating might help to preserve) But

choice (D) is a wrong answer

“Contrary Meaning” Analogies

In this type of word relationship, the two words run contrary to or are opposed to each

other in meaning On the GRE, you’re unlikely to see two capitalized words that are

perfect opposites (e.g., HOT : COLD); the test makers prefer to hide the ball So you

must learn to distinguish among the following three patterns:

Impossible characteristic

Mutually exclusive conditions

Lack or absence is part of the definition

IMPOSSIBLE CHARACTERISTIC

“By definition, cannot be characterized by ”

“ describes precisely what is not.”

MINERAL : ORGANIC FRUCTOSE : SOUR FIXTURE : MOMENTUM

MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE CONDITIONS

“Something that is would probably not be described as ”

“A person cannot also be ”

PURE : SOILED TIMID : EXPERIMENTAL

OBVIOUS : CLANDESTINE (clandestine means “secretive”)

LACK OR ABSENCE IS PART OF THE DEFINITION

“ describes a lack of absence of ”

“If something is , it lacks ”

DEFLATED : AIR DIZZY : EQUILIBRIUM

IMPENITENT : REMORSE (impenitent means “lacking remorse”)

13 AIMLESS : PURPOSE ::

(A) copied : creativity (B) frugal : generosity (C) spontaneous : organization (D) ripe : freshness

(E) inconsistent : candidness The correct answer is (A) Something that is AIMLESS by definition lacks

PURPOSE Similarly, something copied by definition lacks creativity In both

cases, the two words are mutually exclusive, so choice (A) is a good analogy Does

a frugal person necessarily lack generosity? Not necessarily A frugal person is

thrifty and careful about using money; but a frugal person might nevertheless be generous to others with money In other words, lack of generosity is not what

defines frugality, so choice (B) is an incorrect choice Does something spontaneous necessarily lack organization? A spontaneous (spur-of-the moment) act lacks

planning, but the act itself might nevertheless be organized So you can eliminate

choice (C) as a possible answer Does something ripe necessarily lack freshness?

Not exactly A ripe piece of fruit is ready to eat, but lack of freshness is not a defining characteristic of ripeness Choice (D) would be a viable answer if the

word pair were ripe : staleness instead Does something inconsistent necessarily lack candidness? No Candid means “forthright or sincere” and bears no clear relationship to inconsistent, so choice (E) isn’t a good answer choice.

ALERT!

When you encounter two

words that strike you as

contrary in meaning, keep in

mind that they might involve

different degrees instead For

instance, ripeness may be

contrary to freshness, but

ripeness is not the opposite of

(the lack of) freshness.

“Operates Against” Analogies

In this type of relationship, the two words are contrary to each other, and their contrary

nature involves function or purpose Look for one of four distinct patterns to help you

refine the relationship:

Correction, reversal, elimination

Lessening (decrease) in degree, extent, amount, quantity

Prevention

Opposing functions

CORRECTION, REVERSAL, ELIMINATION

“ corrects/reverses/eliminates ”

SUSTENANCE : MALNUTRITION (sustenance means “food or

nour-ishment”)

LOOSEN : STRANGULATED

INUNDATED : SCARCE (inundated means “flooded or deluged”)

LESSENING (DECREASE) IN DEGREE, EXTENT, AMOUNT, QUANTITY

“ lessens the degree/extent/amount of ”

BRAKE : SPEED

COMPRESSION : AMPLITUDE (amplitude means “fullness or breadth”)

FILTER : SPECTRUM

PREVENTION

“ prevents from occurring.”

BLOCKADE : PROGRESS

CORRAL : DISPERSE

UMBRELLA : DRENCH

OPPOSING FUNCTIONS

“ and serve opposing functions.”

“ and work at cross-purposes.”

FERTILIZER : SICKLE

ANCHOR : CORK

EPOXY : MILLSTONE

NOTE

In the correct/reverse/ eliminate pattern, one word usually carries a positive connotation while the other is negatively “charged.”

14 VIGILANCE : DANGER ::

(A) chimney : fire (B) eraser : error (C) relief : disaster (D) clot : bleeding (E) door : draft The correct answer is (E) VIGILANCE means “caution or wariness,” and can

lessen the degree of DANGER to which one is exposed Does a chimney reduce exposure to fire? No, so choice (A) is incorrect Does an eraser reduce exposure to error? No, so you can eliminate choice (B) Does relief reduce exposure to disaster?

No Relief corrects or reverses the results of a disaster Choice (C) is incorrect

Does a clot reduce exposure to bleeding? In a sense, yes But it stops bleeding that

is already occurring; so you should look for a better analogy A door can reduce the extent of draft (air current) to which one is exposed, as vigilance can lessen the

degree of danger to which one is exposed So choice (E) provides a better analogy than (D)

“Type, Form, or Example” Analogies

In this type of relationship, one word is a type, example, form, or variety of the other word Look for one of these three distinct patterns to help you refine the relationship: Specific example or category

Neutral vs negative form Difference in degree, rate, scale, extent, amount, quantity

SPECIFIC EXAMPLE OR CATEGORY

“A is one category of ”

“A is an example of ”

WOODWIND : INSTRUMENT

ANTHOLOGY : COLLECTION (an anthology is a collection of writings) CALORIE : MEASUREMENT (a calorie is a unit of measurement for heat)

NEUTRAL VS NEGATIVE FORM

“To is to in an unlawful/immoral/harmful manner.”

“ is a negative/bad/poor form of ”

“To is to , but with an improper purpose.”

SCRIBBLE : WRITE (Remember this pair from earlier in the chapter?)

MOCK : MIMIC (to mock is to ridicule, typically through mimicry) PEDANT : SCHOLAR (a pedant makes an excessive show of learning)