HSPT Verbal : Analogies: Determining Meaning from Type of Relationship

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #25 : Changes In Intensity

Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.

Numb is to frostbite as singed is to __________.

Possible Answers:

elevated

oven

burn

truth

skin

Correct answer:

burn

Explanation:

"Frostbite" often causes the affected area to be "numb," in the way that a "burn" can cause an area to be "singed."

Example Question #26 : Changes In Intensity

Answer the question by choosing the word that best completes the comparison.

Absolve is to forgive as blame is to __________.

Possible Answers:

plead

condemn

flee

praise

join

Correct answer:

condemn

Explanation:

"Absolve" and "forgive" are both synonyms, just as "blame" and "condemn" mean the same thing.

Example Question #27 : Changes In Intensity

Select the word that best completes the comparison.

Evolve is to develop as stagnate is to __________.

Possible Answers:

strengthen

hustle

known

flourish

stall

Correct answer:

stall

Explanation:

"Evolve" and "develop" are similar in meaning; therefore a synonym of "stagnate" is "stall."

Example Question #291 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

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

Scandal is to rumor as commendation is to __________.

Possible Answers:

praise

wrongdoing

helpful

reproach

tale

Correct answer:

praise

Explanation:

"Scandal" and "rumor" are synonyms, just as "commendation" and "praise" have similar meanings.

Example Question #292 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Soiled is to filthy as wet is to __________.

Possible Answers:

moist

damp

drenched

drizzle

typhoon

Correct answer:

drenched

Explanation:

To be filthy is to be soiled to a great degree. Therefore, the notion that bridges these two terms is the idea of increase. One could say, “Just as something filthy is very soiled, so to something that is X is very wet.” Among the options provided, “drenched” best matches this usage, for it means completely soaked. Do not be tricked by “typhoon.” A typhoon is not an adjective describing wetness as is "drenched."

Example Question #293 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Infringement is to violation as expedition is to __________.

Possible Answers:

excursion

swashbuckling

ambling

daredevil

backpacking

Correct answer:

excursion

Explanation:

The word “infringement” means literally an act of breaking upon something. It is derived from the Latin for to break, as is found in the English “fracture.” The more generally used meaning for the word is the act of breaking a law or agreement. Such an action is one of violation. The words are relatively synonymous. An "expedition" is a journey with some particular goal. The word “excursion” is a relatively synonymous option, as it means a trip, often connoting that it is for enjoyment. While this is not directly synonymous, it is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #1 : Specific Terminology

Dental is to teeth as renal is to __________.

Possible Answers:

gambling

mildew

auditory

eye

kidney

Correct answer:

kidney

Explanation:

Things that are dental are related to teeth. The “dent-” portion of the word comes from the Latin for teeth. The word “renal” is used to describe something pertaining to the kidneys.  It too is related to a Latin root, namely “renes,” which means “kidney.” When someone suffers “renal failure,” he or she is suffering from kidney failure. The analogy thus reads, “As ‘dental’ describes things related to the teeth, so does ‘renal’ describe things related to the kidneys.”

Example Question #2 : Specific Terminology

Answer the question by choosing the word that best completes the comparison.

Dentist is to teeth as optometrist is to __________.

Possible Answers:

skin

doctor

feet

eyes

office

Correct answer:

eyes

Explanation:

A "dentist" is a doctor that specializes in "teeth," whereas an "optometrist" specializes in "eyes."

Example Question #3 : Specific Terminology

Answer the question by choosing the word that best completes the comparison.

Carnivore is to meat as herbivore is to __________.

Possible Answers:

plants

food

herbs

dinosaur

sausage

Correct answer:

plants

Explanation:

A "carnivore" is one who eats primarily "meat," whereas an "herbivore" eats mainly "plants."

Example Question #4 : Specific Terminology

Nasal is to nose as aural is to __________.

Possible Answers:

ears

music

hospital

glorious

mouth

Correct answer:

ears

Explanation:

The word "nasal" pertains to the "nose," while anything "aural" is referring to what can be heard through the "ears."

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