Printable Analogies Worksheets
Printable analogies worksheets for 1st through 5th grade, with an answer key on every sheet. The sets below cover 2 different skills, so you can start where your child actually is. Available as visual guides.
Targeted Practice by Skill
About Analogies
What this skill is
An analogy is a logical comparison demonstrating how two pairs of items share the exact same relationship (A : B :: C : D). Solvers identify the relationship between the first pair (such as part-to-whole, cause-and-effect, or antonyms) and apply that exact rule to complete the second pair. Analogy practice develops abstract reasoning, language comprehension, and relational thinking across subjects and literacy centers.
When children learn it
Picture analogies begin in 1st grade (hand : glove :: foot : sock). In 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade, students solve verbal and mathematical analogies (subtract : decrease :: add : increase). Mastering analogies prepares students for standardized cognitive tests, gifted assessments, and advanced reading comprehension.
Common Mistakes
- Reversing the relationship direction, pairing C with a word that relates backward compared to the initial A and B pair.
- Choosing an answer based on topical similarity (like pairing cat with dog) rather than matching the exact relationship rule.
- Misinterpreting vocabulary words in verbal analogies, leading to incorrect relational mapping across choices on paper.