CogAT Verbal Analogies Practice Questions

Verbal Analogies questions ask students to understand how two words are related and apply that same relationship to another word pair.

Practice original CogAT-style verbal analogy questions with explanations.

How to use this practice page

  • Read each question carefully before selecting an answer.
  • Choose A, B, C, or D, then check the answer explanation.
  • Look for the reasoning rule instead of guessing from the first thing you notice.
  • Use the explanations to talk through the thinking process with your child or student.

Skills practiced: word relationships, analogies, vocabulary reasoning, categories, and comparison.

Verbal Analogies Practice

Select an answer for each question, then check your work to see the explanation.

Question 1 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 5 · Level 11 · Hard

Verbal

Legislation is to law as verdict is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

The relationship is formal-process/outcome relationship. Therefore, verdict goes with decision.

Skill tested: Identifying word relationships

Question 2 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 4 · Level 10 · Easy

Verbal

Bird is to nest as dog is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

The relationship is home/place relationship. Therefore, dog goes with kennel.

Skill tested: Identifying word relationships

Question 3 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 6 · Level 12 · Hard

Verbal

Promise is to trust as warning is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

The relationship is communication/effect relationship. Therefore, warning goes with caution.

Skill tested: Identifying word relationships

Question 4 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 3 · Level 9 · Hard

Verbal

Chronology is to time as taxonomy is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

The relationship is organizing-system/basis relationship. Therefore, taxonomy goes with classification.

Skill tested: Identifying word relationships

Question 5 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 5 · Level 11 · Hard

Verbal

Rubric is to criteria as timeline is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

'rubric' and 'criteria' are an organizing system and the basis it uses to arrange information. The same relationship connects 'timeline' and 'time', so the answer is 'time'.

Skill tested: Recognizing abstract organizing relationships

Question 6 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 6 · Level 12 · Hard

Verbal

Whisper is to quiet as shout is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

The relationship is action/quality relationship. Therefore, shout goes with loud.

Skill tested: Identifying word relationships

Question 7 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 5 · Level 11 · Medium

Verbal

Lens is to camera as strings is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

The relationship is functional-part/device relationship. Therefore, strings goes with guitar.

Skill tested: Identifying word relationships

Question 8 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 5 · Level 11 · Hard

Verbal

Whisper is to quiet as shout is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

The relationship is action/quality relationship. Therefore, shout goes with loud.

Skill tested: Identifying word relationships

Question 9 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 4 · Level 10 · Medium

Verbal

Oar is to boat as pedal is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

The relationship is control-part/vehicle relationship. Therefore, pedal goes with bicycle.

Skill tested: Identifying word relationships

Question 10 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 3 · Level 9 · Easy

Verbal

Cow is to calf as horse is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

The relationship is adult/young-animal relationship. Therefore, horse goes with foal.

Skill tested: Identifying word relationships

Question 11 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 6 · Level 12 · Easy

Verbal

Eye is to see as ear is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

The relationship is body-part/sense relationship. Therefore, ear goes with hear.

Skill tested: Identifying word relationships

Question 12 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 5 · Level 11 · Easy

Verbal

Compass is to direction as filter is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

'compass' and 'direction' are an object and what it helps a person do or determine. The same relationship connects 'filter' and 'clean', so the answer is 'clean'.

Skill tested: Matching an object to its primary function

Next practice steps

Next, try Sentence Completion, Verbal Classification, or return to Verbal Practice.

For grade-based mixed practice, choose a grade from the Practice menu.

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