All HSPT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #133 : Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
COAX
Classify
Persuade
Diminish
Buffet
Withdraw
Persuade
"Coax" means to convince or to "persuade." "Buffet" means to strike something, such as with a punch. "Classify" means to arrange into classes or groups usually based on similar or shared qualities. "Diminish" means to lessen or to decrease. "Withdraw" means to rescind, to remove, or to retreat.
Example Question #134 : Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
BEMOAN
Bewilder
Pollute
Lament
Dispute
Devastate
Lament
"Bemoan" means show sadness about something, so "lament," a word that when used as a verb means grieve or wail, is the correct answer. "Devastate" means destroy or wreck. "Bewilder" means confuse or baffle. "Dispute" means to debate or to argue. "Pollute" means to contaiminate or to poison.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ELUCIDATE
Strengthen
Douse
Clarify
Construct
Undermine
Clarify
"Elucidate" means to clarify; to strengthen is to make stronger; to undermine is to weaken; to douse is to drench; and to construct is to build.
Example Question #134 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FATHOM
Understand
Irritate
Pelt
Satisfy
Bewilder
Understand
"Fathom" means comprehend or understand, so "understand" is the correct answer. "Bewilder" is an antonym of "fathom"; it means confuse. "Satisfy" means meet a certain condition or meet the expectations of someone. "Pelt" means bombard or attack someone or something with projectiles. "Irritate" means bother or annoy.
Example Question #135 : Synonyms
"Baffle" most nearly means _____________.
complete
crystal
determined
bewilder
mythical
bewilder
As a verb, "baffle" means to confuse someone, or to be confused. An example is, "Walking through the maze, Diana was baffled about how to get out." If you're confused, you are "bewildered." Although "complete" is also a verb, it means to finish. None of the other words are verbs. "Determined" and "mythical" are adjectives. "Determined" means to have made a firm decision and "mythical" means having something to do with ancient myths or legends. "Crystal" is a noun and means a specific type of glass.
Example Question #136 : Synonyms
"Beguile" most nearly means __________.
intrude
invest
destroy
manipulate
disturb
manipulate
"Beguile" means to charm, sometimes in a deceptive way. For instance, "The little boy beguiled his grandmother into giving him a cookie when he told her she was a wonderful cook." When you "manipulate" someone, you convince him or her to do something by tricking him or her or using his or her emotions against him or her. For example, "Mandy manipulated Mark into taking her to the dance by telling him she already had a dress but no one to go with."
Example Question #137 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HEED
Obey
Abhor
Enliven
Hinder
Hoard
Obey
"Heed" can be used as both a noun and a verb. For example, as a noun: "He paid no heed to the warnings." As a verb, "He should heed the teacher's warning." The word closest in meaning to "heed" on this list is "obey."
"Hinder" means to create problems that result in delay.
"Hoard" means to stockpile. You might hoard all the chocolate in your house so that no one else can eat it.
"Abhor" means a deep revulsion. You might abhor the sight of blood.
"Enliven" means to make more lively.
Example Question #141 : Synonyms
Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.
CAREEN
loosen
assemble
congregate
threaten
hurtle
hurtle
"Careen" means to move quickly and uncontrolled in a particular direction, or hurtle through somewhere.
Example Question #141 : Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DWINDLE
Diminish
Hang
Rotate
Tease
Foretell
Diminish
"Dwindle" means diminish gradually, so "diminish," which means decline or decrease, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "dwindle" and "diminish": "foretell" means predict or prognosticate; "hang" means dangle or suspend; "rotate" means spin or revolve; and "tease" means goad or mock.
Example Question #1955 : Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
CAPSIZE
Mature
Debate
Signify
Fulfill
Sink
Sink
"Capsize" means to overturn or to sink, and usually refers to ships. So, "sink" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "capsize": "fulfill" means to carry out or complete a task or an assignment; "debate" means to discuss or argue about an issue or topic; "signify" means to indicate; and "mature" means to grow up physically or mentally.
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