Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Practice Test

Which word completes the analogy: ________ is to CLEANING as MEDICINE is to CURING?

1. Chore

2. Dirt

3. Soap

4. Germs

The correct answer is: Soap

In the analogy, the relationship being established between the pairs of words can be understood as a function or tool that contributes to the primary action. In this case, cleaning is the action being described. Soap is a substance used to facilitate cleaning, just as medicine is used to facilitate curing. When we think about the connection, soap is an integral part of the cleaning process because it helps to remove dirt and germs, making it possible to clean effectively. This parallels how medicine works in the context of curing illnesses; it is the means through which healing or recovery is achieved. The other options do not serve the same function in relation to cleaning. A chore refers to the task itself rather than a tool used for cleaning. Dirt, while it may seem related as something that needs cleaning, is not a tool or means to achieve cleanliness. Germs are also not a means of cleaning; they are typically what one seeks to remove or eliminate through cleaning. Therefore, soap stands out as the correct answer because it directly completes the analogy by providing the necessary tool for the action of cleaning, paralleling how medicine provides the means for curing.