HSPT Verbal : HSPT Verbal Skills

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Changes In Intensity

Immoral is to iniquitous as possible is to __________.

Possible Answers:

turpitude

viable

desirable

feasible

probable

Correct answer:

probable

Explanation:

Someone who is “iniquitous” is very immoral or wicked. Therefore, our bridge sentence is, “Just as something iniquitous is very immoral, so too is something X very possible.” Among the options provided, “probable” is the only word providing a sense of being “very possible.” The options “feasible” and “viable,” while they do connote that something is indeed a possible option, do not connote the sense of being “very possible.”

Example Question #192 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Relaxed is to carefree as stressed is to __________.

Possible Answers:

galvanized

layered

unknown

forceful

burdened

Correct answer:

burdened

Explanation:

"Relaxed" and "carefree" are both synonyms, just as "stressed" and "burdened" have a similar meaning.

Example Question #431 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.

Dessicated is to dry as drenched is to __________.

Possible Answers:

water

desert

wet

precipitation

swamp

Correct answer:

wet

Explanation:

"Dessicated" and "dry" are synonyms, just as "drenched" and "wet" have the same meaning.

Example Question #201 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.

Numb is to frostbite as singed is to __________.

Possible Answers:

elevated

truth

oven

skin

burn

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 #202 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And 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:

flee

plead

condemn

join

praise

Correct answer:

condemn

Explanation:

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

Example Question #305 : Analogies

Select the word that best completes the comparison.

Evolve is to develop as stagnate is to __________.

Possible Answers:

stall

strengthen

known

flourish

hustle

Correct answer:

stall

Explanation:

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

Example Question #203 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

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

Scandal is to rumor as commendation is to __________.

Possible Answers:

helpful

praise

tale

wrongdoing

reproach

Correct answer:

praise

Explanation:

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

Example Question #432 : Hspt Verbal Skills

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 #433 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Infringement is to violation as expedition is to __________.

Possible Answers:

backpacking

swashbuckling

daredevil

ambling

excursion

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 #434 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Dental is to teeth as renal is to __________.

Possible Answers:

gambling

mildew

auditory

kidney

eye

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.”

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