What is an 'analogy' ?

• A. A short, often funny story.
• B. A detailed diagram.
• C. A comparison designed to show that two or more things are similar.
• D. An annual report.

Answer: (C)

An analogy is a comparison designed to show that two or more things are similar in their relationships. It helps you understand a concept by linking it to something familiar and highlighting how the parts relate to each other, not just listing features. For example, saying that the brain is like a computer illustrates how both store, process, and retrieve information, so you get the idea even if you haven’t seen it before. In vocabulary work, recognizing an analogy means spotting how the pairs relate, which can help you figure out what a word means or how its relatives connect. It isn’t a short story, a diagram, or a formal report.