HSPT Verbal : Antonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #4 : Antonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Truth, Existence, And Understanding

An antonym to "illiterate" is __________.

Possible Answers:

loud

suspicious

educated

persistent

humble

Correct answer:

educated

Explanation:

"Illiterate" means not literate or able to read. Since literacy is a basic part of education, an illiterate person is almost certain to be uneducated. None of the other words are relevant to the idea of literacy.

Example Question #1 : Antonyms: Adjectives Describing Complexity, Power, And Importance

An antonym of "monumental" is __________.

Possible Answers:

trifling

intricate

varying

distinct

distasteful

Correct answer:

trifling

Explanation:

We create a monument to remember some kind of great event or person. When something is described as being "monumental," that thing is being noted for its importance. In contrast to this, "trifling" means trivial or unimportant. "Trifles" are small and unimportant matters.

Example Question #2 : Antonyms: Adjectives Describing Complexity, Power, And Importance

An antonym of "trite" is __________.

Possible Answers:

banal

recondite

intellectual

repetitive

consequential

Correct answer:

consequential

Explanation:

When something is trite, it is overused or repeated to the point of being of little worth or help. For instance, a trite expression is one that is so common that everyone knows it; therefore, it helps very little even to repeat it. In contrast to this, something that is "consequential" is important—as though it were something "having great consequences".

Example Question #141 : Antonyms

An antonym of "elementary" is __________.

Possible Answers:

elderly

foreseen

aged

accomplished

intricate

Correct answer:

intricate

Explanation:

The adjective "elementary" means simple or pertaining to the elements (i.e. the basic parts). We call the first stage of education "elementary school" because it represents the place where beginning concepts are taught. In contrast to such simple matters, an "intricate" problem or affair is something that is complex and difficult.

Example Question #1 : Antonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

An antonym of "ruffled" is __________.

Possible Answers:

vexed

negative

unpolluted

placid

unsoiled

Correct answer:

placid

Explanation:

When something is "ruffled", it is literally taken out of order or arrangement. We often speak of "ruffling" someone's hair or some other semi-arranged set of items. As an emotional state, "ruffled" means disturbed or not calm. In contrast to this, the term "placid" means calm with little disturbance or change.

Example Question #2 : Antonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

An antonym of "exasperated" is __________.

Possible Answers:

demolished

available

completed

prepared

delighted

Correct answer:

delighted

Explanation:

To exasperate someone is to make that person completely tired and irritated about something. For instance, "The arduous and tedious process of reviewing the details of the exam exasperated the young man, for he knew all of the answers already." An exasperated person is likely quite angry, so "delighted" is an excellent antonym for this word.

Example Question #143 : Antonyms

An antonym of "stolid" is __________.

Possible Answers:

fluid

active

tempestuous

brilliant

liquid

Correct answer:

tempestuous

Explanation:

A stolid person is calm and dependable. Often, such people are unemotional as well. Such a personality is greatly contrasted to one that could be called "tempestuous"—which takes its name from the idea of a strong storm (a "tempest"). A tempestuous personality is very emotional, with changes and conflicts in overall emotional character.

Example Question #3 : Antonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

An antonym of "fearful" is __________.

Possible Answers:

benign

valiant

tremulous

trepidatious

temerarious

Correct answer:

valiant

Explanation:

Valor is a courage that will face almost anything. To be "valiant" is to have such courage and to lack fear. Someone who is "temerarious" might lack fear but such a person is more than likely just rash and unthinking. The words "trepidatious" and "tremulous" are generally synonymous of "fearful". The best option, therefore, is "valiant."

Example Question #142 : Antonyms

An antonym of "superior" is __________.

Possible Answers:

informal

surrogate

submarine

secondary

subordinate

Correct answer:

subordinate

Explanation:

Something that is "superior" is above another thing. The prefix "super-" or "supra-" means above—either physically or metaphorically. A "superior" can be a person who is placed "above" another person in rank. When something is "subordinate," it is below something or someone else. The prefix "sub-" means under (as in "submarine," "subconscious," and "subpar"). To be "subordinate" is literally to be ordered below. Its general English meaning is lower in position.

Example Question #143 : Antonyms

An antonym of "strewn" is __________.

Possible Answers:

didactic

accumulated

placid

belittled

overcome

Correct answer:

accumulated

Explanation:

When things are strewn, they are spread apart or scattered. We rarely use the verb "strew," but the participial adjective "strewn" is much more common. For instance, we say, "The papers were strewn all over the floor," meaning "The papers were spread all over the floor." The opposite of being "strewn" is being gathered up. This is the case with an "accumulation," literally meaning, a gathering together. An "accumulation" of snow is so called because of the gathering of the snowflakes together.

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