Association Relationships Study Guide for the MAT

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Object and Agent

The “Object and Agent” type of “Association” analogy includes many different possibilities, all of which involve one half of a word pair causing, creating, providing, requiring, using, or in some other way relying on the other half. Note that this is where a cause and effect connection does play a role.

Cause and Effect

In a Cause and Effect type of Object and Agent analogy, one half of a word pair causes the other half.

Examples

LIGHTNING : WIND :: FIRE : (a. emulsification , b. expulsion , c. earthquakes , d. erosion )

Among the initial three terms seen here, you can identify a Cause and Effect type of Object and Agent relationship between the first and the third: FIRE can be caused by LIGHTNING. So, the missing term must be something that can be caused by WIND. The answer is “erosion.”

EXPOSURE : HYPOTHERMIA :: (a. aging , b. laughing , c. walking , d. swimming ) : HEART DISEASE

Among the given terms in this analogy, you can identify a Cause and Effect type of Object and Agent relationship between the first two: EXPOSURE to cold can cause HYPOTHERMIA. So, the missing term must be something that can cause HEART DISEASE. Since “aging” can cause adverse changes in the heart and blood vessels, this is the correct answer.

Creator and Creation

In a Creator and Creation type of Object and Agent analogy, one half of a word pair creates the other half.

Examples

WASP : (a. web , b. nest , c. hive , d. formicary ) :: BEAVER : DAM

Among the three given terms in this analogy, you can identify a Creator and Creation type of Object and Agent relationship between the last two: A BEAVER builds a DAM. So, the missing term must be something that a WASP builds. The answer is “nest.”

(a. rifles , b. armored tanks , c. aircraft , d. uniforms ) : MOVIES :: BOEING : STUDIO

Among the last three terms here, you can identify a Creator and Creation type of Object and Agent relationship between MOVIES and STUDIO, since a film STUDIO makes MOVIES. Therefore, the missing term must be something that the BOEING Company makes. So, the answer is “aircraft.”

Function or Purpose

In a Function or Purpose type of Object and Agent analogy, one half of a word pair conveys the function or purpose of the other half, thereby communicating what it is designed to achieve or meant to accomplish. It essentially amounts to the ultimate goal that defends, warrants, justifies, or legitimizes the other half’s existence.

Examples

WINGS : FLY :: GILLS : (a. breath , b. swim , c. eat , d. navigate )

Among the initial three terms in this analogy, you can identify a Function or Purpose type of Object and Agent relationship between the first two: WINGS are used to FLY. So, the missing term must be a word that identifies what GILLS are used for. The answer is “breathe.”

GASES : AEROMETER :: (a. currents , b. gravity , c. light , d. temperatures ) : CRYOMETER

Among the given terms here, you can identify a Function or Purpose type of Object and Agent relationship between the first two: An AEROMETER is an instrument used to measure the weight and density of air and other GASES. So, the missing term must identify what a CRYOMETER measures. The correct answer is low “temperatures.”

Action Taken

The Action Taken type of Object and Agent analogy is similar to Function or Purpose, except that its focus is on conveying something a person or thing does rather than conveying something a person or thing accomplishes. Perhaps the difference can be better clarified by thinking in terms of “what” and “how.” For example, the function of an umbrella (what it is designed to do) is to protect. But, the action taken to accomplish this purpose (how it gets the job done) is by opening up. The action is what is required to achieve the purpose.

Examples

TEAM : (a. coach , b. plays , c. trophy , d. games ) :: PILOT : OPERATES

Among the given terms in this analogy, you can identify an Action Taken type of Object and Agent relationship between the last two: A PILOT OPERATES an aircraft to make it fly. So, the missing term must be what a TEAM does to win competitions. Therefore, the answer is “plays.”

(a. defends , b. charges , c. prosecutes , d. deliberates ) : JURY :: GROW : TEETH

Among the three words given here, you can identify an Action Taken type of Object and Agent relationship between the final two terms: TEETH GROW in order for them to chew. So, the missing term must be what a JURY does in order for it to reach a verdict. The answer is “deliberate.”

Tool Used

In a Tool Used type of Object and Agent analogy, one half of a word pair is an object or tool that is used by the other half to get something done.

Examples

PAINTER : BRUSH :: SOLDIER : (a. weapon , b. mast , c. anchor , d. flight log )

Among the given terms in this analogy, you can identify a Tool Used type of Object and Agent relationship between the first two: A PAINTER uses a paint BRUSH to produce an oil, watercolor, or acrylic painting. So, the missing term must be something that a SOLDIER uses to fight battles. The answer is “weapon.”

METEOROLOGIST : CONDUCTOR :: (a. colonoscope , b. barometer , c. micrometer , d. plegometer ) : BATON

Among the three terms given here, you can identify a Tool Used type of Object and Agent relationship between the second and last words: A CONDUCTOR uses a BATON to help lead an orchestra. So, the missing term must be something a METEOROLOGIST uses to help forecast the weather. The answer is “barometer.”

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