HSPT Verbal : HSPT Verbal Skills
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal
All HSPT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #13 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRESAGE
Precocious
Wise
Prodigious
Adorable
Foreshadow
Foreshadow
When used as a verb, the word “presage” means to be a sign of a future event, often implying that this is a sign of warning. The word comes from the prefix “pre-”, meaning before, and the base “sage,” which does not merely mean wise, but to perceive keenly. Someone who is “sagacious” is wise precisely because that person keenly perceives reality. The word would be used in a sentence like, “In many cultures, the flying of a crow over a barn presaged a poor harvest in the coming year.”
Example Question #14 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DIFFUSE
Disagreeable
Variant
Irregular
Dissimilar
Scattered
Scattered
The word “diffuse” comes from roots that literally mean poured away from. The “di-” prefix means away from or down from, and the “-fuse” means to pour. This latter is found in words like “infuse” (meaning, literally, to pour into) and “effusive” (meaning pouring out, implying that someone “pours out” a great amount of something like praise). As a verb, the word “diffuse” means to scatter or to spread out, as when one diffuses a smell into a room or when an idea diffuses through an entire population. The word can likewise be used as an adjective, basically having the meaning of the past participle of the word, namely “scattered.”
Example Question #51 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Abet means the opposite of __________.
condone
incite
prevent
instigate
prevent
"Condone," "instigate," and "incite" are synonyms of "abet." "Abet" means to assist or aid in wrongdoing. "Prevent" means to stop something from being completed.
Example Question #52 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Affable is the opposite of __________.
amiable
courteous
unfriendly
genial
unfriendly
"Courteous," "amiable," and "genial" are all synonyms of affable. "Affable" means pleasantly easy to approach and to talk to.
"Unfriendly" means not friendly or kindly in disposition.
Example Question #53 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Adamant is the opposite of __________.
determined
resolute
insistant
flexible
flexible
"Insistent," "determined," and "resolute" are synonyms of adamant. "Adamant" means utterly unyielding in attitude of opinion.
"Flexible" means willing or disposed to yield.
Example Question #54 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Ameliorate is the opposite of __________.
lighten
aggravate
alleviate
mitigate
aggravate
"Alleviate," "lighten," and "mitigate" are synonyms of ameliorate. "Ameliorate" means to make or become better.
"Aggravate" means to make worse or more severe.
Example Question #55 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Cacophony is the opposite of __________.
harshness
noise
harmony
discord
harmony
"Noise," "discord," and "harshness" are synonyms of cacophony. "Cacophony" is a harsh discordance of sound.
"Harmony" is consistent, orderly, or pleasant arrangement of parts.
Example Question #56 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Candid is the opposite of __________.
honest
impartial
forthright
biased
biased
"Blunt," "impartial," and "forthright" are synonyms of candid. "Candid" means frank, outspoken, open, and sincere.
"Biased" means having or showing prejudice, or not being open.
Example Question #57 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Cogitate means the opposite of __________.
ponder
brainstorm
conceive
disregard
disregard
"Ponder," "conceive," and "brainstorm" are synonyms of cogitate. "Cogitate" means to think hard, ponder, or metitate about a problem.
"Disregard" means to pay no attention to something.
Example Question #58 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Innocuous means the opposite of __________.
injurious
inoffensive
banal
insipid
injurious
"Banal," "insipid," and "inoffensive" are synomyms of innocuous. "Innocuous" means unlikely to cause harm or injury, while "injurious" means harmful.
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