HSPT Verbal : Synonyms, Antonyms, and Changes in Intensity

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #374 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Select the word that best completes the comparison.

Prudent is to reckless as careful is to __________.

Possible Answers:

rash

fussy

prim

apprehensive

meticulous

Correct answer:

rash

Explanation:

"Prudent" and "reckless" are antonyms, just as "careful" and "rash" have opposite meanings.

Example Question #375 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Select the word that best completes the comparison.

Simple is to complicated as unresponsive is to __________.

Possible Answers:

deserted

sleepy

confused

alert

saccharine

Correct answer:

alert

Explanation:

"Simple" and "complicated" are opposites, just as "unesponsive" and "alert" are antonyms.

Example Question #141 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Select the word that best completes the comparison.

Elderly is to youthful as geriatric is to __________.

Possible Answers:

senior

juvenile

generation

grandparents

domestic

Correct answer:

juvenile

Explanation:

"Elderly" and "youthful" are antonyms, therfore the opposite of "geriatric" is "juvenile."

Example Question #142 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the comparison.

Joyful is to sullen as cheerful is to __________.

Possible Answers:

harmful

dedicated

gloomy

emotional

aloof

Correct answer:

gloomy

Explanation:

"Joyful" and "sullen" are both antonyms, just as "cheerful" and "gloomy" have opposite meanings.

Example Question #243 : Analogies

Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the comparison.

Fact is to fiction as dishonesty is to __________.

Possible Answers:

hopeless

candor

evil

boastful

ironic

Correct answer:

candor

Explanation:

"Fact" and "fiction" are both antonyms, just as "dishonesty" and "candor" are opposite in meaning.

Example Question #143 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the comparison.

Brazen is to timid as shameless is to __________.

Possible Answers:

reckless

modest

posterior

feeble

relieved

Correct answer:

modest

Explanation:

"Brazen" and "timid" are both antonyms, just as "shameless" and "modest" have opposite meanings.

Example Question #144 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the comparison.

Detract is to compliment as belittle is to __________.

Possible Answers:

cheapen

small

intensify

praise

discredit

Correct answer:

praise

Explanation:

"Detract" and "compliment" are both antonyms, just as "belittle" and "praise" have opposite meanings.

Example Question #145 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the comparison.

Extend is to abridge as stretch is to __________.

Possible Answers:

constrict

prolong 

expend

enhance

magnify

Correct answer:

constrict

Explanation:

"Extend" and "abridge" are both anytonyms, just as "stretch" and "consrict" have opposite meanings.

Example Question #146 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the comparison.

Perplexed is to certain as troubled is to __________.

Possible Answers:

homely

serene

loose

confused

starving

Correct answer:

serene

Explanation:

"Perplexed" and "certain" are both antonyms, just as "troubled" and "serene" have opposite meanings.

Example Question #147 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the comparison.

Enliven is to dishearten as invigorate is to __________.

Possible Answers:

discourage

cater

rouse

gladden

rejuvenate

Correct answer:

discourage

Explanation:

"Enliven" and "dishearten" are both antonyms, just as "invigorate" and "discourage" have opposite meanings.

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