Word relationships
15 free practice questions with explanations
PassNova has 15 free Verbal Reasoning Test practice questions on Word relationships, each with a clear explanation. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback — 100% free, no sign-up, on any device. Updated for 2026.
Word relationships: example questions & answers
15 worked examples with answers and explanations below. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback on every answer.
Hand is to Glove as Foot is to _?_
- AShoe✓
- BSock
- CToe
- DLeg
Answer: A glove covers the hand as a shoe covers the foot; a sock is worn but is the closer analogue of an inner layer, whereas shoe parallels glove as the outer protective covering.
Teacher is to School as Surgeon is to _?_
- AHospital✓
- BScalpel
- COperation
- DPatient
Answer: A teacher works in a school as a surgeon works in a hospital.
Which word does NOT belong with the others?
- ARobin
- BEagle
- CSparrow
- DSalmon✓
Answer: Sparrow, eagle, and robin are birds; salmon is a fish.
Author is to Novel as Composer is to _?_
- AConductor
- BOrchestra
- CAudience
- DSymphony✓
Answer: An author creates a novel as a composer creates a symphony.
Which pair shows the same relationship as 'Whisper : Shout'?
- AGlance : Stare✓
- BQuiet : Silent
- CRead : Book
- DTalk : Speak
Answer: Whisper and shout differ in intensity (soft to loud), as glance and stare differ in intensity (brief to prolonged). Read and book is an action and the thing acted on, not a pair graded by intensity.
Bee is to Hive as Bear is to _?_
- ADen✓
- BHoney
- CForest
- DCub
Answer: A bee lives in a hive as a bear lives in a den.
Which word does NOT belong with the others?
- ATriangle
- BSquare
- CCube✓
- DCircle
Answer: Circle, square, and triangle are two-dimensional shapes; a cube is three-dimensional.
Captain is to Ship as Pilot is to _?_
- AAeroplane✓
- BPassenger
- CAirport
- DRunway
Answer: A captain commands a ship as a pilot commands an aeroplane.
Which pair best matches the relationship in 'Doctor : Patient'?
- ALawyer : Client✓
- BDriver : Car
- CChef : Recipe
- DPainter : Brush
Answer: A doctor provides a service to a patient as a lawyer provides a service to a client.
Which word does NOT belong with the others?
- APlastic✓
- BCopper
- CIron
- DGold
Answer: Copper, iron, and gold are metals; plastic is not a metal.
Library is to Books as Gallery is to _?_
- AFrames
- BCurator
- CPaintings✓
- DVisitors
Answer: A library houses books as a gallery houses paintings.
Which pair shows the same relationship as 'Famine : Food'?
- ADrought : Water✓
- BHarvest : Crop
- CFlood : River
- DStorm : Rain
Answer: A famine is a severe shortage of food as a drought is a severe shortage of water.
Pen is to Ink as Lamp is to _?_
- AShade
- BSwitch
- CLight✓
- DBulb
Answer: A pen produces ink (its output) as a lamp produces light.
Which word does NOT belong with the others?
- AMinute
- BHour
- CCalendar✓
- DSecond
Answer: Hour, minute, and second are units of time; a calendar is a tool that displays dates, not a unit.
Herd is to Cattle as Flock is to _?_
- AWolves
- BFish
- CBees
- DSheep✓
Answer: A herd is a group of cattle as a flock is a group of sheep.