Word Relationship Tests – Free Practice Questions & Study Guide

Word relationship questions assess your ability to identify the relationship between words and to then apply this verbal analogy.

To answer these questions you need to understand the meaning of the words in the question and establish what exactly the relationship is between them.

You should then look at the answer options and decide which answer is the most appropriate.

These questions test your reasoning ability as well as your vocabulary.

These types of question appear in nearly all levels of  verbal ability tests.

This sample question paper contains 40 questions and has a suggested time limit of 10 minutes.

The questions are presented in Letter/A4 format for easy printing and self-marking.

Word relationship questions often take the form of verbal analogies.

These can be classified into specific categories. For example; materials, taxonomic relationships, temporal relationships, parts of speech, etc. The list is almost endless.

Be sure that you understand what an analogy is before you start.

Every analogy expresses a relationship between two things.

It is this relationship that you must understand as you look at the options required to complete the analogy.

First try to understand the relationships expressed in the question words.

Then choose your answer so that the relationship in the first pair of words is similar to the relationship in the second pair of words in terms of meaning, order and function.

Check that the parts of speech used in the two sections of analogy are consistent and follow in the same sequence.

For example, if the first pair of words contains an adjective and a noun in that order, then the second pair of words must contain an adjective and a noun in the same order.

Test designers are very fond of offering answer options which initially seem credible but where this golden rule is broken.

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Example Word Relationship Test Questions

Question 1

Cat : Kitten :: Dog : ?

a) Puppy
b) Calf
c) Cub
d) Foal

The correct answer is: a) Puppy.

A cat’s young is a kitten, and a dog’s young is a puppy.

Question 2

Bird : Wing :: Fish : ?

a) Fin
b) Tail
c) Scale
d) Gill

The correct answer is: a) Fin.

Birds use wings to move, fish use fins to move.

Question 3

Hot : Cold :: Up : ?

a) High
b) Low
c) Tall
d) Down

The correct answer is: d) Down.

Hot is the opposite of cold; up is the opposite of down.

Question 4

Painter : Brush :: Writer : ?

a) Pencil
b) Book
c) Pen
d) Paper

The correct answer is: c) Pen.

A painter uses a brush; a writer uses a pen.

Question 5

Eye : See :: Ear : ?

a) Touch
b) Smell
c) Hear
d) Taste

The correct answer is: c) Hear.

Eyes are for seeing; ears are for hearing.

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Question 6

Car : Road :: Boat : ?

a) Water
b) Ocean
c) Sea
d) Lake

The correct answer is: a) Water.

Cars travel on roads; boats travel on water.

Question 7

Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ?

a) School
b) Student
c) Book
d) Library

The correct answer is: a) School.

A doctor works in a hospital; a teacher works in a school.

Question 8

Knife : Cut :: Pen : ?

a) Erase
b) Write
c) Read
d) Draw

The correct answer is: b) Write.

A knife is used to cut; a pen is used to write.

Question 9

Foot : Shoe :: Hand : ?

a) Ring
b) Mitten
c) Glove
d) Finger

The correct answer is: c) Glove.

A shoe covers a foot; a glove covers a hand.

Question 10

King : Throne :: Judge : ?

a) Court
b) Chair
c) Gavel
d) Robe

The correct answer is: a) Court.

A king rules from a throne; a judge rules in a court.

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FAQs about Word Relationship Tests

1. What is a word relationship test?

A word relationship test (or verbal analogy test) measures your ability to recognise the connection between two words and apply the same relationship to another pair.

2. Where are word relationship questions used?

They are commonly found in verbal ability, psychometric, and aptitude tests for jobs, school entrance exams, and some standardised assessments.

3. What types of relationships are tested?

Typical categories include opposites (hot : cold), part-to-whole (finger : hand), function (knife : cut), and classification (dog : mammal).

4. How can I prepare for word relationship tests?

Practice is key. Work through sample analogy questions, build your vocabulary, and pay attention to the order and part of speech used in the analogy.

5. Why are word relationship tests important?

They test reasoning, vocabulary, and logical thinking—skills employers and educators value for communication, problem-solving, and quick learning.

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Final Thoughts

Word relationship tests may seem straightforward, but they require both strong vocabulary and sharp logical reasoning. The key is not just knowing what words mean but also recognising the relationship between them—whether it’s opposites, cause and effect, part-to-whole, or functional use.

With practice, these questions become much easier. By working through sample analogies, building your vocabulary, and paying attention to the sequence and part of speech, you’ll develop the ability to spot patterns quickly and accurately.

Remember: these tests are not simply about words; they’re about how you think. Strong performance shows you can reason clearly, draw connections, and solve problems—skills that are highly valued in academic settings and the workplace.