HSPT Verbal : Synonyms, Antonyms, and Changes in Intensity
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal
All HSPT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #101 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity
Safe is to danger as wakeful is to __________.
alertness
lax
sleep
caffeinated
pacing
sleep
Something that is safe lacks danger. Thus, this analogy could be rewritten, “As something safe lacks danger, so does a wakeful state lack X.” When someone is wakeful, he or she either does not need sleep or cannot do so. Likewise, the word can be used to describe a period of time as in “a wakeful night.” In the latter case, it means “a night passed without sleep.” The word “sleep” is the best option for that which is lacking in wakefulness.
Example Question #102 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity
Impregnable is to weakness as flaccid is to __________.
flabby
swinging
firmness
lazy
distinguished
firmness
Something that is impregnable is unable to be broken or destroyed. For instance, an “impregnable fortress” is one believed to be completely safe and unable to be overcome. Such a thing lacks any weakness. Thus, the analogy could be written, “As something impregnable lacks weakness, something flaccid lacks X.” Something flaccid is soft, loose, or flabby. Such a thing lacks firmness.
Example Question #103 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity
Deterrent is to discourage as revelation is to __________.
apocalyptic
appearance
visible
vision
disclose
disclose
A deterrent is something that instills doubt regarding a possible course of action. For instance, one could say, “The thought of the cold weather was a deterrent against running outside, and Peter decided to stay inside with a warm cup of coffee instead.” Thus, the analogy could be rewritten as “A deterrent is meant to discourage as a revelation is meant to X.” Although the word “revelation” is often used in religious contexts, particularly Christian ones speaking of the “Book of Revelation” in the Bible, it means “the making known of something that had been secret.” (It is—unsurprisingly—related to “reveal”). A revelation is meant to disclose some previously unknown fact.
Example Question #104 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity
Intermittent is to irregularity as steadfast is to __________.
ponderous
loyalty
shaky
regular
boring
loyalty
When something occurs “intermittently,” it happens in a way that is not regular. While a clock ticks regularly, the dripping of a faucet occurs intermittently without any pattern. Thus, the analogy could be written, “As something intermittent is characterized by irregularity, so is a steadfast person characterized by X.” When a person is steadfast, he or she is devoted in a faithful and unwavering manner. Such a person is characterized by loyalty, which is the best option among those provided.
Example Question #337 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Choose the word that best completes each comparison.
Dishonest is to upright as studious is to __________.
ignorant
scholarly
abundant
disciplined
woeful
ignorant
"Dishonest" and "upright" are strong antonyms; similarly an anotnym of "studious" is "ignorant."
Example Question #105 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity
Choose the word that best completes each comparison.
Rigid is to flaccid as coarse is to __________.
rough
delicate
overwheliming
sandpaper
knowledgable
delicate
"Rigid" and "flaccid" are total opposites, just as an antonym for "coarse" is "delicate."
Example Question #208 : Analogies
Choose the word that best completes each comparison.
Abundant is to scarce as gargantuan is to __________.
terrible
astonishing
miniscule
open-minded
enlarged
miniscule
"Abundant" is the opposite of "scarce," as are "garngantuan" and "miniscule" antonyms.
Example Question #341 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Choose the word that best completes each comparison.
Composed is to agitated as urgent is to __________.
unimportant
broken
immediate
senile
emergency
unimportant
"Composed" and "agitated" are antonyms, as are "urgent" and "unimportant."
Example Question #342 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Choose the word that best completes each comparison.
Proud is to humble as silence is to __________.
overbearing
wasteful
reverence
clamor
haughty
clamor
"Proud" and "humble" are strong opposites, just as "silence" and "clamor" are antonyms.
Example Question #342 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Choose the word that best completes each comparison.
Unsure is to certain as enlightened is to __________.
ignorant
wise
deceitful
illuminated
noble
ignorant
"Unsure" and "certain" are clearly antonyms; therefore the opposite of "enlightened" is "ignorant."
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