Categorizing Words and Category Values

Question

We were set an algorithm problem in class today, as a \"if you figure out a solution you don\'t have to do this subject\". SO of course, we all thought we will give it a go.

Answer 1

I am assuming that the problem allows using external data, because otherwise I cannot conceive of a way to deduce the meaning from words algorithmically.

Maybe something could be done with a thesaurus database, and looking for minimal distances between 'word' words and 'category' words?