What is Word Connections?
Word connection questions (also called verbal analogies) give you a pair of words with a specific relationship. You must find a word that has the same relationship with another given word.
For example, “hot is to cold as big is to ___” – the relationship is opposites, so the answer is “small”. These questions test your understanding of how words relate to each other.
Step-by-Step Method
Identify the relationship
Look at the first pair and ask: how are these two words connected? Write the relationship in a simple sentence.
Name the relationship type
Is it: opposites, synonyms, part-to-whole, cause-and-effect, tool-to-user, or something else?
Apply to the second pair
Use the same relationship to work out what word completes the second pair.
Check it works
Read both pairs with your answer and confirm the relationship is the same.
Worked Examples
Finger is to hand as toe is to ___
Working
- A finger is a part of a hand.
- Relationship: part to whole.
- A toe is a part of a… foot.
Author is to book as artist is to ___
Working
- An author creates a book.
- Relationship: creator to creation.
- An artist creates a… painting.
Bark is to dog as meow is to ___
Working
- Bark is the sound a dog makes.
- Relationship: sound to animal.
- Meow is the sound a… cat makes.
Common Mistakes
Finding a word connected to the third word but not by the same relationship as the first pair.
Write down the relationship clearly (e.g. “X is a type of Y”) and apply it precisely.
Confusing the direction of the relationship (e.g. whole-to-part vs part-to-whole).
Pay attention to the order: if the first pair goes part-to-whole, the second pair must go the same way.
Top Tips
- Common relationship types: opposites, synonyms, part-whole, cause-effect, creator-creation, tool-user, young-adult.
- Say the relationship as a sentence: “A ___ is the ___ of a ___.”
- Make sure the relationship matches in the same direction.
- If multiple answers seem possible, choose the one with the most direct parallel.
Ready to practise?
Put these techniques into action with our free practice papers.
Practise Verbal Reasoning Questions