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 · Easy

Verbal

Fragile is to durable as expand is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

'fragile' and 'durable' are words with opposite meanings. The same relationship connects 'expand' and 'contract', so the answer is 'contract'.

Skill tested: Recognizing direct antonym relationships

Question 2 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 3 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 5 · Level 11 · Medium

Verbal

Breeze is to gale as concern is to ___.

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Show explanation

'breeze' and 'gale' are the second word expresses a stronger degree of the first. The same relationship connects 'concern' and 'alarm', so the answer is 'alarm'.

Skill tested: Comparing degrees of intensity

Question 4 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 5 · Level 11 · Easy

Verbal

Teacher is to school as doctor is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

The relationship is person/workplace relationship. Therefore, doctor goes with hospital.

Skill tested: Identifying word relationships

Question 5 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 3 · Level 9 · Hard

Verbal

Umbrella is to rain as helmet is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

'umbrella' and 'rain' are a protective response and the problem it is intended to prevent or reduce. The same relationship connects 'helmet' and 'injury', so the answer is 'injury'.

Skill tested: Recognizing countermeasure-to-problem relationships

Question 6 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 3 · Level 9 · Easy

Verbal

Up is to down as left is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

The relationship is opposite-direction relationship. Therefore, left goes with right.

Skill tested: Identifying word relationships

Question 7 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 5 · Level 11 · 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 8 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 3 · Level 9 · Easy

Verbal

Compass is to direction as calendar 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 'calendar' and 'date', so the answer is 'date'.

Skill tested: Matching an object to its primary function

Question 9 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 4 · Level 10 · Medium

Verbal

Compass is to direction as scale is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

The relationship is tool/information relationship. Therefore, scale goes with weight.

Skill tested: Identifying word relationships

Question 10 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 6 · Level 12 · Medium

Verbal

Drought is to water as famine is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

The relationship is shortage/cause relationship. Therefore, famine goes with food.

Skill tested: Identifying word relationships

Question 11 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 6 · Level 12 · Medium

Verbal

Editor is to manuscript as coach is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

The relationship is professional/subject relationship. Therefore, coach goes with team.

Skill tested: Identifying word relationships

Question 12 of 12

Verbal Analogies Practice Question

Grade 4 · Level 10 · Easy

Verbal

Shoe is to foot as glove is to ___.

Choose the best answer:
Show explanation

The relationship is object/body-part relationship. Therefore, glove goes with hand.

Skill tested: Identifying word relationships

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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