Question

Select the lettered pair that best expresses a relationship similar to that expressed by the original pair.
BROOK : RIVER

• A. vein : artery
• B. path : highway
• C. yard : alley
• D. pen : paper

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understand the given pair (BROOK : RIVER)
A brook is a small, narrow stream of water. A river is a much larger natural stream of water. Thus, the relationship here is one of degree or scale: the first word is a smaller version of the second. In simple terms, a brook is to a river what a small thing is to a large thing of the same category.

Step 2: Identify the relationship type
The relationship is not oppositional, nor is it functional. It is specifically “smaller form : larger form” within the same category. So the correct analogy must preserve this scale-based comparison.

Step 3: Evaluate the given options
(A) puppy : dog → A puppy is a young dog, not a smaller version of a dog in terms of scale. This is more of an age-based relation rather than size comparison within the same category.

(B) path : highway → A path is a small track for walking, while a highway is a large, broad roadway for vehicles. This matches perfectly because the relationship is about scale and extent. A path is to a highway what a brook is to a river: the smaller and simpler version of the larger and more developed form.

(C) leaf : tree → A leaf is a part of a tree, not a smaller tree. This represents a “part-whole” relationship, which is different from the “small-large” analogy given.

(D) pond : ocean → While both are water bodies, the difference here is not exactly the same as brook to river. A brook and river are the same type (flowing water), while a pond and ocean are both still water. The analogy is weaker compared to option (B).

Step 4: Final justification
The most precise match is "path : highway" because both pairs illustrate a progression in scale within the same category: brook and river are small and large flowing waters, while path and highway are small and large roadways.

Final Answer: The correct option is (B) path : highway.