HSPT Verbal : Synonyms, Antonyms, and Changes in Intensity

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #151 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the analogy.

Luxurious is to destitute as opulent is to __________.

Possible Answers:

plain

lavish

magnificent

upscale

lush

Correct answer:

plain

Explanation:

"Luxurious" and "destitute" are both antonyms, just as "opulent" and "plain" have opposite meanings. 

Example Question #152 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the analogy.

Embarrassed is to composed as flustered is to __________.

Possible Answers:

illness

secretive

aggression

comforted

obscure

Correct answer:

comforted

Explanation:

"Embarrassed" and "composed" are antonyms, just as "flustered" and "comforted" have opposite meanings. 

Example Question #153 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the analogy.

Worthwhile is to unhelpful as beneficial is to __________.

Possible Answers:

productive

useless

priceless

justifiable

instructive

Correct answer:

useless

Explanation:

"Worthwhile" and "unhelpful" are antonyms, just as "beneficial" and "useless" have opposite meanings. 

Example Question #154 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the analogy.

Marriage is to divorce as birth is to __________.

Possible Answers:

death

expected

infant

caustic

baptism

Correct answer:

death

Explanation:

"Marriage" and "divorce" are antonyms, just as "birth" and "death" have opposite meanings. 

Example Question #155 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the analogy.

Bitter is to sweet as pungent is to __________.

Possible Answers:

mild

acrid

harsh

acidic

spicy

Correct answer:

mild

Explanation:

"Bitter" and "sweet" are antonyms, just as "pungent" and "mild" have opposite meanings. 

Example Question #156 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the analogy.

Forlorn is to elated as despondent is to __________.

Possible Answers:

useless

bereft

lonely

miserable

cheerful

Correct answer:

cheerful

Explanation:

"Forlorn" and "elated" are antonyms, just as "despondent" and "cheerful" have opposite meanings. 

Example Question #157 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the analogy.

Painful is to soothing as excruciating is to __________.

Possible Answers:

extreme

grueling

pleasant

harrowing

chastening

Correct answer:

pleasant

Explanation:

"Painful" and "soothing" are antonyms, just as "excruciating" and "pleasant" have opposite meanings. 

Example Question #158 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the analogy.

Hefty is to lightweight as robust is to __________.

Possible Answers:

valiant

fragile

strong

worthy

fearful

Correct answer:

fragile

Explanation:

"Hefty" and "lightweight" are antonyms, just as "robust" and "fragile" have opposite meanings. 

Example Question #261 : Analogies

Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the analogy.

Inherit is to bequeath as romantic is to __________.

Possible Answers:

regal

lightweight

pragmatic

whimsical

fleeting

Correct answer:

pragmatic

Explanation:

"Inherit" and "bequeath" are antonyms, just as "romantic" and "pragmatic" have opposite meanings. 

Example Question #159 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Introverted is to outgoing as sympathetic is to __________.

Possible Answers:

benign

shy

indifferent

generous

forgetful

Correct answer:

indifferent

Explanation:

The word “introverted” describes someone who is shy or perhaps self-centered. The reason that the word can have this range of meanings from just being generally unsocial to the negative notion of being self-centered is because of its origins in Latin. The “-vert” portion of the word is the same as that which we find in words like “convert” and “adversary.” The root, whether with a “t” or an “s,” here means turned. An adversary is turned against their foe, and a “convert” is said to “turn” from one way of life to another. Someone who is “introverted” is “turned inward.” Thus, such a person is not outgoing—whether or not they are self-centered. The two words are antonyms. A good antonym for “sympathetic” is “indifferent.” A sympathetic person is said to suffer with the pains of other people. Someone who is indifferent pays no heed to them whatsoever.

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