Analogies Worksheets - 15 Worksheets Library - Free Printable

Let's solve each of these part-whole analogies step by step. In a part-whole analogy, one item is a part of the other, just like how a "finger" is a part of a "hand."

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1. Lead is to pencil as filling is to _________.

- Lead is the *part* inside a pencil (though technically it's graphite).
- Similarly, filling is the *part* inside a tooth.
- So: Lead : Pencil :: Filling : Tooth
- ✔ Answer: Tooth

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2. Nucleus is to atom as sun is to _________.

- The nucleus is the central part of an atom.
- The sun is the central part of a solar system.
- So: Nucleus : Atom :: Sun : Solar System
- ✔ Answer: Solar System

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3. Finger is to hand as toe is to _________.

- A finger is a part of a hand.
- A toe is a part of a foot.
- So: Finger : Hand :: Toe : Foot
- ✔ Answer: Foot

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4. Stars are to galaxies as molecules are to _________.

- Stars make up galaxies (a galaxy is made of many stars).
- Molecules make up compounds or substances, but more specifically, molecules are the building blocks of matter.
- But the best analogy here is that molecules are parts of cells? No — not quite.
- Actually, think: Atoms → Molecules → Compounds → Matter
- But the structure is: Stars → Galaxies (many stars form a galaxy)
- So: Molecules → ? — what is made of molecules?
- Substance, compound, or material?
- But better: Molecules are parts of cells? Not exactly — cells contain molecules, but molecules aren't parts of cells in the same way.
- Wait: Molecules are the building blocks of organisms, but that’s too broad.
- Better: Molecules are to compounds? But molecules *are* compounds.
- Let’s reframe:
- Stars are individual units that form galaxies.
- Molecules are individual units that form substances or materials.
- But the best match is: Molecules are to cells? No — cells are made of molecules, but it's not a direct parallel.

Wait — actually, atoms make up molecules, so reverse?

No — the analogy is: Stars → Galaxies = Molecules → ?

But molecules are smaller than stars, and they don’t form larger structures like galaxies.

Actually, molecules are parts of cells, but that's biology.

Better idea: Molecules are to compounds? But molecules *are* compounds.

Alternatively: Molecules are to substances?

But the correct analogy is:

- Stars are parts of galaxies
- Molecules are parts of atoms? No — atoms are smaller.

Wait — this seems backward.

Hold on: Atoms → Molecules → Compounds → Materials

So: Molecules are made of atoms, not the other way around.

But the analogy is: Stars are to galaxies — meaning stars are the components of galaxies.

So we want something where molecules are the components of a larger thing.

That would be: molecules are to compounds? But molecules *are* compounds.

Or: molecules are to cells? Cells are made of molecules.

Yes! Cells are made of molecules.

But wait — stars are not made of galaxies; galaxies are made of stars.

So: Galaxies are made of stars → Cells are made of molecules?

No — the order is wrong.

The analogy is:
Stars : Galaxies → Molecules : ?

We need: Molecules are parts of something bigger.

So: Molecules are parts of cells, tissues, etc.

But the best answer is: Molecules are to cells — because cells are made of molecules.

But then: Stars are to galaxies → Molecules are to cells

Yes — both are parts to whole.

So: Stars are parts of galaxies, molecules are parts of cells.

✔ Answer: Cell

But let’s check if there’s a better fit.

Another possibility: Molecules are to substances?

Still vague.

But cell is a strong candidate.

Wait — actually, molecules are not the only part of a cell; they are building blocks, but the analogy might be stronger with atoms → molecules.

But here, stars → galaxies, so molecules → substances?

Maybe molecules → matter?

But "matter" is too abstract.

Best answer: Cell

✔ Answer: Cell

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5. House is to neighborhood as state is to _________.

- A house is part of a neighborhood.
- A state is part of a country.
- So: House : Neighborhood :: State : Country
- ✔ Answer: Country

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6. May is to June as Monday is to _________.

- May comes before June (in calendar months).
- Monday comes before Tuesday.
- So: May : June :: Monday : Tuesday
- ✔ Answer: Tuesday

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7. Board is to deck as brick is to _________.

- A board is a part of a deck (like a wooden board in a deck).
- A brick is a part of a wall.
- So: Board : Deck :: Brick : Wall
- ✔ Answer: Wall

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8. Pane is to window as knob is to _________.

- A pane is a part of a window (the glass part).
- A knob is a part of a door (or drawer), but knob is usually attached to a door.
- So: Pane : Window :: Knob : Door
- ✔ Answer: Door

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9. Leg is to chair as wheel is to _________.

- A leg supports a chair.
- A wheel supports a car or cart.
- So: Leg : Chair :: Wheel : Car
- Or Wheel : Cart, Wheel : Bicycle, etc.
- But most common: Wheel : Car
- Also possible: Wheel : Bike, Wheel : Truck
- But since it's a general analogy, Car is a good answer.
- ✔ Answer: Car

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✔ Final Answers:

1. Tooth
2. Solar System
3. Foot
4. Cell
5. Country
6. Tuesday
7. Wall
8. Door
9. Car

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Let me know if you'd like explanations for any of them in simpler terms!