HSPT Verbal : HSPT Verbal Skills

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #198 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Immoral is to iniquitous as possible is to __________.

Possible Answers:

viable

feasible

desirable

probable

turpitude

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 #199 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Relaxed is to carefree as stressed is to __________.

Possible Answers:

unknown

galvanized

burdened

forceful

layered

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:

swamp

precipitation

desert

wet

water

Correct answer:

wet

Explanation:

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

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

Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.

Numb is to frostbite as singed is to __________.

Possible Answers:

burn

skin

elevated

oven

truth

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 #292 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

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

Absolve is to forgive as blame is to __________.

Possible Answers:

join

flee

condemn

praise

plead

Correct answer:

condemn

Explanation:

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

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

Select the word that best completes the comparison.

Evolve is to develop as stagnate is to __________.

Possible Answers:

hustle

strengthen

stall

flourish

known

Correct answer:

stall

Explanation:

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

Example Question #294 : 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:

tale

reproach

helpful

wrongdoing

praise

Correct answer:

praise

Explanation:

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

Example Question #295 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Soiled is to filthy as wet is to __________.

Possible Answers:

drenched

drizzle

damp

typhoon

moist

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 #296 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Infringement is to violation as expedition is to __________.

Possible Answers:

excursion

ambling

backpacking

swashbuckling

daredevil

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 #297 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Dental is to teeth as renal is to __________.

Possible Answers:

eye

kidney

mildew

auditory

gambling

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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