The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is shrub.
This verbal analogy is structured around the relationship of synonymy, where two different words have the same or very similar meanings. To find the correct answer, we must first decipher the relationship between the initial pair of words: “pillar” and “column.”
In language and architecture, a “pillar” and a “column” refer to a tall, vertical support structure. A pillar is a general term for such a support, while a column is often a more specific type, typically cylindrical and adhering to certain architectural styles. However, in common usage, these two words are frequently used interchangeably. They are synonyms, both denoting a sturdy, upright support. The core relationship in the first half of the analogy is this synonymy.
To solve the second half of the analogy, “bush is to ___,” we must apply the same logical rule. We need to find a word from the choices provided that is a synonym for “bush.” A bush is a common term for a low growing, woody plant that is characterized by having multiple stems branching out from or near the ground, rather than a single main trunk.
Looking at the options, “shrub” is the correct choice. A shrub is the botanical and horticultural term for a plant with the exact characteristics of a bush. The words “bush” and “shrub” are direct synonyms, just as “pillar” and “column” are. This creates a parallel and logical structure for the complete analogy.
The other options fail to fit this pattern. A “tree” is a different type of plant, distinguished from a bush or shrub by its greater height and its single, woody trunk. A “post” is incorrect because it belongs to an entirely different category. It is a manmade structural element, like a pillar, not a type of plant. Therefore, the relationship of synonymy established by the first pair is only maintained by selecting “shrub.”
