HSPT Verbal : Part and Part
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal
All HSPT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship
Tassel is to cord as valediction is to __________.
conversation
dismissal
salutation
signal
indication
conversation
A tassel is placed at the end of a cord, generally as an ornament. (It is the little “stringy tuft” at the end of such cords). A “valediction” is a statement of farewell. The “valedictorian” of a class is so named because he is the one who says “farewell” on behalf of the class. (Also, he speaks after the salutatorian, who is the one who greets the class. The word “salutatorian” comes from words in Latin used to greet someone). Thus, among the options provided, the only proper case is “conversation,” for a “valediction” comes at the end of a conversation as a tassel comes at the end of a cord.
Example Question #2 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship
Novice is to beginning as terminal is to __________.
travel
progression
intermittent
airport
end
end
A novice is a person who is inexperienced or new to a given field of study or work. Thus, such a person is at the beginning of his or her work in that area. A “terminal” is something that is at the end of a structure or process. A terminal does necessarily occur only at the “finish line” (so to speak), as both ends of a (e.g.) stick can be considered its “terminal points.” Still, just as a novice is metaphorically at the beginning of his or her work, so is a terminal point (physically or metaphorically) at an end of a process or physical being. Since no other option captures this sense of “location” (whether physically or metaphorically), “end” is the best option for this analogy.
Example Question #3 : Part And Part
Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the comparison.
Seven is to septagon as nine is to __________.
octagon
triangle
ten
nonagon
geometry
nonagon
A "septagon" has "seven" sides, just as a "nonagon" has "nine" sides.
Example Question #3 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship
Complete this analogy.
Pulmonary is to lungs as cardiac is to __________.
pump
heart
tongue
kidney
circulation
heart
The word “pulmonary” comes from the Latin word for the lungs. It is used to in English to describe physical conditions related to these organs, as when someone has pulmonary embolism, which is a type of blockage of blood to the lung. Just as “pulmonary” describes the lungs, “cardiac” describes conditions related to the heart.
Example Question #3 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship
Answer the question by choosing the word that best completes the comparison.
Primary is to first as tertiary is to __________.
planet
second
third
numbers
one
third
"Primary" and "first" are synonyms, just as "tertiary" and "third" mean the same thing.
Example Question #4 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship
Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the analogy.
Guitar is to lute as clarinet is to __________.
symphony
piano
popular
banjo
oboe
oboe
A "guitar" and a "lute" are both stringed instruments, just as a "clarinet" and an "oboe" are both woodwind instruments.
All HSPT Verbal Resources
