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Semantic Analogy, Classification & Series

Reasoning & General Intelligence — Paper-I · Official 2026 Coverage

Useful for: SSC CGL

Overview

Tier-II semantic items test meaning-based relationships between words, odd-one-out by meaning, and series built on meaning or numbers.

Key points

Relationships: function (pen–write), cause–effect, part–whole, degree (warm–hot), synonym/antonym.
Classification by meaning: find the common category and the item outside it.
Number series in Tier-II often mix two operations (× 2 + 1, n² + n).
Order of a pair matters in analogies.
Prefer the most specific relationship.

Explanation

Test two candidate relationships when options look close.
Geometric shapes: classify by properties (all sides equal, curved boundary).
Series may alternate between two rules.
Use elimination: remove options that break the category.

Step by step

Identify the pattern, rule or relationship.
Apply it carefully to the question part.
Verify against every condition before marking.

Examples

Pen : Write :: Knife : Cut (tool : function).
Square, Rectangle, Rhombus, Circle → Circle (not a polygon).
7, 14, 28, 56, ? → × 2 → 112.

Traps and advanced points

Trap: Choosing loosely associated words.
Trap: Ignoring order in the pair.
Trap: Missing alternate rules in series.

Quick revision

Precise relationship sentence.
Category first.
Check alternate rules.

Practice MCQs

Choose the odd one out if three numbers follow a common difference of 4: 91, 86, 82, 78.
1. 86
2. 82
3. 91
4. 78
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Answer: (c) 91. The regular terms fit an arithmetic pattern with difference 4; 91 does not.
Choose the odd one out if three numbers follow a common difference of 4: 28, 19, 23, 15.
1. 15
2. 23
3. 19
4. 28
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Answer: (d) 28. The regular terms fit an arithmetic pattern with difference 4; 28 does not.
Choose the odd one out if three numbers follow a common difference of 5: 33, 17, 22, 27.
1. 22
2. 17
3. 27
4. 33
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Answer: (d) 33. The regular terms fit an arithmetic pattern with difference 5; 33 does not.
Choose the odd one out if three numbers follow a common difference of 6: 25, 38, 19, 31.
1. 31
2. 19
3. 38
4. 25
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Answer: (c) 38. The regular terms fit an arithmetic pattern with difference 6; 38 does not.
Choose the odd one out if three numbers follow a common difference of 7: 35, 28, 21, 43.
1. 21
2. 28
3. 43
4. 35
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Answer: (c) 43. The regular terms fit an arithmetic pattern with difference 7; 43 does not.
Choose the odd one out if three numbers follow a common difference of 8: 23, 39, 31, 48.
1. 31
2. 48
3. 39
4. 23
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Answer: (b) 48. The regular terms fit an arithmetic pattern with difference 8; 48 does not.
Choose the odd one out if three numbers follow a common difference of 9: 53, 43, 34, 25.
1. 43
2. 53
3. 34
4. 25
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Answer: (b) 53. The regular terms fit an arithmetic pattern with difference 9; 53 does not.
Choose the odd one out if three numbers follow a common difference of 10: 27, 47, 37, 58.
1. 27
2. 47
3. 37
4. 58
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Answer: (d) 58. The regular terms fit an arithmetic pattern with difference 10; 58 does not.
Choose the odd one out if three numbers follow a common difference of 11: 63, 51, 29, 40.
1. 63
2. 29
3. 40
4. 51
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Answer: (a) 63. The regular terms fit an arithmetic pattern with difference 11; 63 does not.
Choose the odd one out if three numbers follow a common difference of 3: 28, 22, 25, 32.
1. 28
2. 32
3. 22
4. 25
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Answer: (b) 32. The regular terms fit an arithmetic pattern with difference 3; 32 does not.