PI - Cognitive Assessment Abstract Reasoning Analogies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Circle is to sphere as square is to:
- Rectangle
- Cube (Correct answer)
- Pentagon
- Pyramid
Correct answer: Cube
A circle is the 2D version of a sphere. Similarly, a square is the 2D version of a cube.
This analogy tests dimensional reasoning. A circle extended into 3D space becomes a sphere — both are defined by equidistant points from a center. Similarly, a square extended into 3D becomes a cube — all faces are squares and all edges are equal length. A rectangle would be a different 2D shape, not a 3D extension. A pyramid has a triangular cross-section, and a pentagon is still 2D.
Question 2: Dark triangle pointing up is to light triangle pointing down as dark circle is to:
- Dark square
- Light circle (Correct answer)
- Light square
- Dark triangle
Correct answer: Light circle
The transformation involves two changes: shading inverts (dark to light) and orientation flips. Applying the same to a dark circle: it becomes a light circle (circles don't visually change when flipped).
Two simultaneous transformations occur: (1) the shading inverts from dark to light, and (2) the shape flips vertically. When applied to a dark circle: the shading inverts to light, and flipping a circle produces the same shape since circles are symmetric. Therefore the answer is a light circle.
Question 3: A small shape inside a large shape is to a large shape inside a small shape, as a black shape on the left is to:
- A white shape on the left
- A black shape on the right (Correct answer)
- A white shape on the right
- A black shape in the center
Correct answer: A black shape on the right
The first pair swaps the size relationship (inside/outside). The analogous swap for position would change left to right while keeping color the same.
The analogy is about reversal of a spatial property. In the first pair, the size/containment relationship is reversed: what was inside goes outside and vice versa. Following this pattern of spatial reversal, the position should be reversed: left becomes right. The color (black) remains unchanged because the shape property (large/small) didn't change in the original — only its spatial relationship did.
Question 4: Straight line is to zigzag line as solid circle is to:
- Dashed circle (Correct answer)
- Solid square
- Dotted line
- Wavy circle
Correct answer: Dashed circle
A straight line becomes a zigzag by breaking it into segments. Similarly, a solid circle becomes a dashed circle by breaking the continuous line into segments.
The core transformation is converting a continuous, unbroken line into a segmented version of the same path. A straight line broken into alternating segments becomes a zigzag. Similarly, a solid (continuous) circle broken into segments becomes a dashed circle. Both transformations maintain the overall path/shape but introduce breaks or angles into the line itself.
Question 5: 1 dot is to 3 dots in a triangle as 1 square is to:
- 4 squares in a larger square
- 3 squares in a row
- 2 squares
- 3 squares in a triangle (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 3 squares in a triangle
The transformation multiplies the element to 3 copies arranged in a triangular formation. Applying this to a square gives 3 squares arranged in a triangle.
The analogy has two components: (1) the quantity increases from 1 to 3, and (2) the arrangement forms a triangle. The shape itself (dot) stays the same. Applying this to a square: 1 square becomes 3 squares, and they should be arranged in a triangular formation — matching the same quantitative and spatial transformation.
Question 6: Arrow pointing right with 2 feathers is to arrow pointing left with 4 feathers, as star with 3 points is to:
- Star with 6 points, inverted (Correct answer)
- Star with 5 points
- Star with 6 points
- Circle with 3 points
Correct answer: Star with 6 points, inverted
The transformation reverses direction/orientation and doubles the detail count (2→4 feathers). Applied to a 3-pointed star: it inverts (reverses orientation) and doubles the points (3→6).
Two transformations are applied: (1) the orientation is reversed (right to left, or equivalently inverted), and (2) the quantity of the detail feature is doubled (2 feathers to 4 feathers). Applying both to a 3-pointed star: inversion reverses its orientation, and doubling the points gives 6. The correct answer is a star with 6 points, inverted.
PI - Cognitive Assessment Abstract Reasoning Analogies 2
Circle is to sphere as square is to: