HSPT Verbal : Synonyms, Antonyms, and Changes in Intensity

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #151 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

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

Luxurious is to destitute as opulent is to __________.

Possible Answers:

upscale

plain

magnificent

lush

lavish

Correct answer:

plain

Explanation:

"Luxurious" and "destitute" are both antonyms, just as "opulent" and "plain" have opposite meanings. 

Example Question #152 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

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

Embarrassed is to composed as flustered is to __________.

Possible Answers:

comforted

aggression

obscure

secretive

illness

Correct answer:

comforted

Explanation:

"Embarrassed" and "composed" are antonyms, just as "flustered" and "comforted" have opposite meanings. 

Example Question #151 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

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

Worthwhile is to unhelpful as beneficial is to __________.

Possible Answers:

instructive

priceless

productive

justifiable

useless

Correct answer:

useless

Explanation:

"Worthwhile" and "unhelpful" are antonyms, just as "beneficial" and "useless" have opposite meanings. 

Example Question #154 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

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

Marriage is to divorce as birth is to __________.

Possible Answers:

infant

death

baptism

expected

caustic

Correct answer:

death

Explanation:

"Marriage" and "divorce" are antonyms, just as "birth" and "death" have opposite meanings. 

Example Question #152 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

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

Bitter is to sweet as pungent is to __________.

Possible Answers:

mild

spicy

acrid

acidic

harsh

Correct answer:

mild

Explanation:

"Bitter" and "sweet" are antonyms, just as "pungent" and "mild" have opposite meanings. 

Example Question #156 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

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

Forlorn is to elated as despondent is to __________.

Possible Answers:

miserable

lonely

cheerful

useless

bereft

Correct answer:

cheerful

Explanation:

"Forlorn" and "elated" are antonyms, just as "despondent" and "cheerful" have opposite meanings. 

Example Question #157 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

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

Painful is to soothing as excruciating is to __________.

Possible Answers:

pleasant

extreme

chastening

grueling

harrowing

Correct answer:

pleasant

Explanation:

"Painful" and "soothing" are antonyms, just as "excruciating" and "pleasant" have opposite meanings. 

Example Question #158 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

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

Hefty is to lightweight as robust is to __________.

Possible Answers:

fearful

worthy

valiant

strong

fragile

Correct answer:

fragile

Explanation:

"Hefty" and "lightweight" are antonyms, just as "robust" and "fragile" have opposite meanings. 

Example Question #159 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

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

Inherit is to bequeath as romantic is to __________.

Possible Answers:

regal

lightweight

whimsical

fleeting

pragmatic

Correct answer:

pragmatic

Explanation:

"Inherit" and "bequeath" are antonyms, just as "romantic" and "pragmatic" have opposite meanings. 

Example Question #261 : Analogies

Introverted is to outgoing as sympathetic is to __________.

Possible Answers:

forgetful

generous

shy

benign

indifferent

Correct answer:

indifferent

Explanation:

The word “introverted” describes someone who is shy or perhaps self-centered. The reason that the word can have this range of meanings from just being generally unsocial to the negative notion of being self-centered is because of its origins in Latin. The “-vert” portion of the word is the same as that which we find in words like “convert” and “adversary.” The root, whether with a “t” or an “s,” here means turned. An adversary is turned against their foe, and a “convert” is said to “turn” from one way of life to another. Someone who is “introverted” is “turned inward.” Thus, such a person is not outgoing—whether or not they are self-centered. The two words are antonyms. A good antonym for “sympathetic” is “indifferent.” A sympathetic person is said to suffer with the pains of other people. Someone who is indifferent pays no heed to them whatsoever.

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