NIMCET 2007 — English PYQ

The correct option is (b) Fire is to Burn.

Detailed Solution

To solve this analogy problem, we first need to define the underlying mathematical or logical relationship between the first pair of words:

Analyzing the Base Pair

$$\text{Mirror}:\text{Reflect}$$

• Relationship: Object and its Primary Function/Characteristic Action.

• A mirror is an object, and its primary natural function or action is to reflect light.

  $$\text{Object}\to \text{Primary Action}$$

Evaluating the Options

Let us analyze each pair based on this specific relationship structural pattern:

• (a) Beauty is to Enchantment: Beauty is an abstract noun, and enchantment is an effect or state it can produce. It does not follow the physical object-to-primary action structure.

• (b) Fire is to Burn: Fire is a physical entity/object, and its primary, defining characteristic action is to burn.

  $$\text{Fire (Object)}\to \text{Burn (Primary Action)}$$

  This perfectly matches the logic of the base pair.

• (c) Road is to Vehicles: A road is a location or surface where vehicles (another object) move. This represents a place-to-object relationship.

• (d) Money is to earning: Money is a medium of exchange, and earning is a human process to acquire it. It does not represent the inherent action performed by the object itself.

Conclusion

$$\text{Mirror}:\text{Reflect}::\text{Fire}:\text{Burn}$$