Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: TOES
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This analogy tests basic knowledge of human body parts and the relationship between a smaller part and the larger structure to which it belongs. In many reasoning exams, such word analogies help measure how well a candidate understands everyday relationships and can transfer that understanding from one pair to another.
Given Data / Assumptions:
We are given the analogy FINGERS : HAND.
We must relate an unknown word ? to FEET in the same way.
All terms are simple body parts with their usual everyday meaning.
Exactly one option should represent the same part whole relationship.
Concept / Approach:
In the pair FINGERS : HAND, fingers are smaller parts that together form part of a hand. So the relationship is part to whole. To complete the analogy, we must find a word that stands to FEET in the same way that FINGERS stands to HAND. We therefore look for a smaller component that is physically attached to and forms part of the feet.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Understand the first pair.
FINGERS are individual small parts that together are attached to and form part of the HAND.
Step 2: Identify the type of relationship.
The relationship is clearly part to whole.
Step 3: Apply the same idea to FEET.
We need a smaller part that is directly attached to and forms part of the FEET.
Step 4: Examine each option.
NAILS are on fingers or toes, not directly the main part of feet as a whole.
TOES are small parts that collectively form part of the feet.
ANKLE is a joint above the foot, not a small subdivision of the foot itself.
HEELS are portions of the feet but represent only one back part.
SOLES are the bottom surfaces of feet, not individual smaller units.
Step 5: Select the best match.
TOES correspond to FEET in the same way FINGERS correspond to HAND.
Verification / Alternative check:
If we rewrite the relationship as a sentence, it becomes clearer: Fingers are parts of a hand. Toes are parts of feet. The pattern is consistent: many fingers make up part of a hand, and many toes make up part of feet. None of the other options give such a direct and parallel statement. This confirms that TOES is the correct completion of the analogy.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
NAILS are related to fingers and toes, but the relationship is more specific and not directly parallel to the first pair.
ANKLE connects the leg and the foot but is not a small part that repeats within each foot.
HEELS refer only to the rear part of each foot, not the main small units that make up the feet.
SOLES describe the lower surface of the feet and not separate detachable parts similar to fingers.
Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse any associated body part as acceptable in an analogy. However, analogies usually test for a very specific relationship, such as part to whole, cause to effect, or function. Here, focusing on the idea of multiple smaller units making up the larger structure helps to avoid confusion. Considering the parallel phrase many fingers form a hand and many toes form feet makes the decision easier and more reliable.
Final Answer:
The word that correctly completes the analogy is TOES.
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