In this word analogy, “Nest is to Bird as Den is to ______”. Choose the animal that stands in the same home to inhabitant relationship with den that bird does with nest.

Introduction / Context:
This verbal analogy question tests your knowledge of common animal homes and their typical inhabitants. The pair “Nest : Bird” represents a clear relationship where nest is the home and bird is the creature that lives in it. To complete the analogy, “Den : ?”, you must choose the animal that has the same kind of association with a den. Such questions are frequent in basic reasoning and general awareness sections.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Example pair: Nest and Bird. • Target pair: Den and an unknown animal. • Options: Owl, Lion, Rat, Goat. • We assume standard textbook associations of animals with their typical homes in general English usage.

Concept / Approach:
The relationship in the example pair is “place of dwelling : typical inhabitant”. A nest is a structure built by birds to lay eggs and raise young ones. In the same way, a den is commonly associated with wild animals such as lions, tigers, or bears and refers to their shelter or resting place. The question asks which animal from the options is most commonly associated with a den in school level general knowledge.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Understand the first pair. A nest is the shelter or home made by a bird. Step 2: Interpret the second pair. A den is a cave, lair, or shelter used by certain wild animals in forests. Step 3: Evaluate each option. Owl: An owl lives in trees or hollows and also uses nests, so it does not uniquely match den. Lion: A lion is a wild animal that is commonly said to live in a den in standard general knowledge statements. Rat: Rats live in burrows, drains, or human buildings, but den is not their typical textbook home. Goat: Goats are domestic animals that live in sheds or open fields, not dens. Step 4: The best match for the relationship “Den : ?” is therefore Lion.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can restate the pairs as sentences: “A nest is the home of a bird” and “A den is the home of a lion”. These sentences are standard in basic science and environmental studies books. While other wild animals such as bears and tigers also use dens, lion is the only such animal offered among the options, so it is clearly the intended answer. No other option fits as well with the specific term den.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
• Owl: Better associated with nests and tree hollows, so it would mirror bird rather than forming a new pair. • Rat: Usually linked with burrows or holes, not dens in common usage. • Goat: A domestic animal that lives in sheds and open areas rather than forest dens.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes overthink and recall that many animals may occupy dens. However, exam questions at this level expect the most common textbook association. Another pitfall is to pick owl because it is a bird, but the second pair is about den, not nest. Always match the exact home term with its most standard inhabitant.

Final Answer:
The word that correctly completes the analogy is Lion.