HSPT Verbal : Synonyms, Antonyms, and Changes in Intensity

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #221 : Analogies

Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.

Temperate is to scorching as mild is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sweltering

frigid

balmy

desert

weather

Correct answer:

sweltering

Explanation:

"Temperate" and "scorching" are opposites, just as "mild" and "sweltering" are opposites.

Example Question #222 : Analogies

Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.

Sophisticated is to brutish as civilized is to __________.

Possible Answers:

elegant

earthly

refined

uncultured

historical

Correct answer:

uncultured

Explanation:

"Sophisticated" and "brutish" are antonyms; therefore the opossite of "civilized" is "uncultured."

Example Question #223 : Analogies

Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.

Revoke is to enact as abolish is to __________.

Possible Answers:

refute

establish

cancel

slavery

helpful

Correct answer:

establish

Explanation:

"Revoke" and "enact" are strong antonyms; therefore the opposite of "abolish" is to "establish."

Example Question #224 : Analogies

Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.

Stout is to slight as portly is to __________.

Possible Answers:

overweight

oblong

misunderstood

lean

deviated

Correct answer:

lean

Explanation:

"Stout" and "slight" mean opposite things; therefore an antonym for "portly" is "lean."

Example Question #225 : Analogies

Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.

Liberal is to conservative as spendthrift is to __________.

Possible Answers:

congressional

wasteful

debated

wealthy

miser

Correct answer:

miser

Explanation:

"Liberal" and "conservative" are antonyms, just as "spendthrift" and "miser" mean the opposite thing.

Example Question #357 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.

Famous is to obscure as unbiased is to __________.

Possible Answers:

celebrity

courtroom

judge

prejudiced

jury

Correct answer:

prejudiced

Explanation:

"Famous" and "obscure" are both antonyms; therefore the opposite of "unbiased" would be "prejudiced."

Example Question #225 : Analogies

Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.

Paradise is to hell as fictitious is to __________.

Possible Answers:

unsure

abysmal

genuine

delinquent

false

Correct answer:

genuine

Explanation:

"Paradise" and "hell" are antonyms, therefore the opposite of "fictitious" is "genuine."

Example Question #121 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the word that best completes the comparison.

Astute is to inept as perceptive is to __________.

Possible Answers:

clever

insightful

naïve

optimistic

clear

Correct answer:

naïve

Explanation:

"Astute" and "inept" have opposite meanings; therefore "perceptive" and "naïve" are antonyms.

Example Question #231 : Analogies

Choose the word that best completes the comparison.

Corrupt is to honest as selfish is to__________.

Possible Answers:

forhtright

upcoming

generous

manipulative

uncertain

Correct answer:

generous

Explanation:

"Corrupt" and "honest" are both antonyms; therefore the opposite of "selfish" is "generous."

Example Question #231 : Analogies

Choose the word that best completes the comparison.

Aggressive is to passive as overjoyed is to __________.

Possible Answers:

ecstatic

astounding

hopeful

disappointed

abundant

Correct answer:

disappointed

Explanation:

"Aggressive" is an antonym of "passive," just as "overjoyed" is the opposite of "disappointed."

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