Identify the relationship between two words, then complete a similar pair. OLSAT 8 includes different task families at different levels, so confirm your student’s actual level before concentrating on one type.
Try an original example
Question: Painter is to painting as writer is to what?
Answer and reasoning: Writing or a written work. Each person creates the second thing.
How to think it through
- Describe what you see or hear without looking at the choices first.
- Name a possible relationship or rule.
- Test the rule against every part of the example.
- Choose the answer that follows the rule exactly.
A common mistake
Choose the same relationship, not just another word connected to the topic.
These exercises are original learning materials, not official or recalled OLSAT items. For a mixed set, try the free practice test.
Source: Pearson OLSAT 8 product overview and Pearson OLSAT 8 scope-and-sequence brochure. OLSAT.net is an independent educational resource; examples here are original and are not official test questions.
Explain the relationship before choosing
Pearson lists Verbal Analogies at Levels D–G. An analogy is a relationship between one pair of words transferred to another pair. First name the relationship precisely, such as part to whole, tool to use, or opposite meaning. Then apply that same relationship to the second pair. A word that is merely associated with the first pair can still be the wrong answer.
Original learning example
Bird is to nest as bee is to ___. Choices: hive, wing, honey, flower. The answer is hive: a nest is a bird’s home, and a hive is a bee’s home. A bee has wings and makes honey, but those facts express different relationships. A flower can be a food source, but it does not complete the home relationship.
Practice without memorizing
Ask the student to say a short sentence for the first pair and reuse the sentence for the second. Mix relationship types and discuss why each distractor is close but incomplete. The verbal guide explains how this family fits with other language tasks.
Assessment source: Pearson OLSAT 8 scope and sequence. Examples and illustrations on this page are independently created by OLSAT.net, not publisher items. Your school can confirm its actual level and administration plan.