HSPT Verbal : HSPT Verbal Skills

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Verbs

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

COAX

Possible Answers:

Withdraw

Persuade

Diminish

Classify

Buffet

Correct answer:

Persuade

Explanation:

"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 #4 : Synonyms: Verbs

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

BEMOAN

Possible Answers:

Pollute

Bewilder

Dispute

Lament

Devastate

Correct answer:

Lament

Explanation:

"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 #1 : Synonyms: Verbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ELUCIDATE

Possible Answers:

Construct

Undermine

Clarify

Strengthen

Douse

Correct answer:

Clarify

Explanation:

"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 #11 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

FATHOM

Possible Answers:

Pelt

Satisfy

Irritate

Bewilder

Understand

Correct answer:

Understand

Explanation:

"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 #12 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

"Baffle" most nearly means _____________.

Possible Answers:

complete

bewilder

crystal

determined

mythical

Correct answer:

bewilder

Explanation:

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 #13 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

"Beguile" most nearly means __________.

Possible Answers:

destroy

disturb

intrude

invest

manipulate

Correct answer:

manipulate

Explanation:

"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 #891 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

HEED

Possible Answers:

Enliven

Hoard

Hinder

Obey

Abhor

Correct answer:

Obey

Explanation:

"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 #1909 : Identifying Synonyms

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

CAREEN

Possible Answers:

congregate

threaten

assemble

hurtle

loosen

Correct answer:

hurtle

Explanation:

"Careen" means to move quickly and uncontrolled in a particular direction, or hurtle through somewhere.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Verbs

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DWINDLE

Possible Answers:

Rotate

Hang

Tease

Diminish

Foretell

Correct answer:

Diminish

Explanation:

"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 #16 : Synonyms: Verbs

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

CAPSIZE

Possible Answers:

Sink

Debate

Fulfill

Signify

Mature

Correct answer:

Sink

Explanation:

"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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