How words relate: analogies

Grade 9 Reading Worksheet - Challenge Me

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   ““curious : nosy :: assertive : ____”” Ari wrote confident in the blank. Which statement explains why confident is wrong?

   • Curious turns into nosy when praise becomes blame, but confident keeps the praise, so the blank needs a blaming word such as domineering.
   • Confident is wrong because curious and nosy are opposites, so the blank needs the opposite of assertive.
   • Confident is right, because assertive and confident are near-synonyms, just as curious and nosy are near-synonyms, so the two pairs match.
   • Confident is wrong because curious and nosy are about asking questions, so the blank must be about asking questions too.
2. 2.

   Luz reads four pairs. Three share one link. Which pair is the odd one out?

   • cautious : timid
   • stubborn : obstinate
   • ambitious : ruthless
   • persistent : stubborn
3. 3.

   The mayor called the new parking rules firm. The editorial called the same rules harsh. Tala reads two reports. Which pair relates its two words the way firm relates to harsh?

   • persuasive : manipulative
   • pleasant : delightful
   • rules : council
   • manipulative : persuasive
4. 4.

   Pia reads four pairs. Three share one link. Which pair is the odd one out?

   • stem : supporting
   • diver : breathing
   • hinge : pivoting
   • gill : breathing
5. 5.

   The first report said the river rose overnight. The second report said the river surged overnight. Bo reads two reports. Which pair relates its two words the way rose relates to surged?

   • river : flood
   • rose : climbed
   • demanded : asked
   • asked : demanded
6. 6.

   ““filter : purifying :: lens : ____”” Milo wrote camera in the blank. Which statement explains why camera is wrong?

   • Camera is wrong because a filter is a part of a purifier, but a lens is not a part of anything.
   • Purifying is what a filter does, so the blank needs what a lens does, focusing; a camera is the whole the lens belongs to.
   • Camera is wrong because a filter is about cleaning, so the blank must be about cleaning too.
   • Camera is right, because a lens belongs in a camera, just as a filter belongs in a purifier, so each second word names the whole.
7. 7.

   Zee reads four pairs. Three share one link. Which pair is the odd one out?

   • peeved : irate
   • pleased : ecstatic
   • tired : exhausted
   • exhausted : drowsy
8. 8.

   ““miser : hoard :: skeptic : ____”” Ren wrote cynic in the blank. Which statement explains why cynic is wrong?

   • Cynic is wrong because miser and hoard are opposites, so the blank must be the opposite of skeptic.
   • Cynic is right, because a cynic is a stronger kind of skeptic, just as a miser is a stronger kind of saver, so both are stronger words.
   • A miser is known for the action of hoarding, so the blank needs what a skeptic does, doubt; a cynic is another kind of person.
   • Cynic is wrong because miser and hoard are about money, so the blank must be about money too.
9. 9.

   Esme reads four pairs. Three share one link. Which pair is the odd one out?

   • diligent : negligent
   • lucid : muddled
   • candid : evasive
   • muddled : confused
10. 10.

    Our coach says each drill is only a rehearsal for the game, and never the game itself. Noah reads the coach's remark. Which pair relates its words the way a drill relates to a game?

    • coach : team
    • sketch : mural
    • mural : sketch
    • paint : mural