High School Placement Test (HSPT) Practice Test

What is the main relationship described in "Seal is to fish as bird is to”?

1. habitat

2. diet

3. predator

4. species

The correct answer is: diet

The relationship described in the analogy "Seal is to fish as bird is to" focuses on what one organism primarily consumes. A seal primarily feeds on fish, establishing a clear dietary link between the two. Similarly, in the analogy, the correct answer relates to the dietary relationship that exists between a bird and its typical food source, which can vary among different species of birds but often includes insects, seeds, or other animals. Choosing diet highlights the essential role that dietary habits play in understanding the relationship between these animals and their ecological roles. Thus, the correct answer reflects a similar association of feeding behavior and dietary preference found between the first pair (seal and fish) and the second pair (bird and its food source).