HSPT Verbal : Synonyms, Antonyms, and Changes in Intensity

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #14 : Qualities And Features

Complete this analogy.

Sterilized is to bacteria as disrobed is to __________.

Possible Answers:

infection

clothing

nude

shocking

doctored

Correct answer:

clothing

Explanation:

When something is "sterilized," it is completely clean and thus does not have any bacteria on or in it. (Something “sterile” is likewise so completely clean.) Thus, the analogy could be written, “As something sterilized has no bacteria, something disrobed has no X.” The word “disrobed” is as obvious as it appears. It merely means having taken off one’s clothes, meaning that such a person lacks clothes.

Example Question #171 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Inept is to capable as literal is to __________.

Possible Answers:

strict

scientific

mathematical

symbolic

poetic

Correct answer:

symbolic

Explanation:

Someone who is “inept” lacks skill or is without abilities (if the word is taken in its most negative sense). The word “aptitude” means natural ability in some regard or for some task. Thus, the word “capable” is an antonym to “inept,” meaning that this analogy requires you to find an antonym for “literal.” When something is described or interpreted in a literal manner, it is understood in its most basic sense without adding additional interpretation (such as symbolic or allegorical interpretations). Thus, the best option for an antonym among those provided is “symbolic,” which is quite opposite to a literal interpretation.

Example Question #172 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Incite is to quell as lazy is to

Possible Answers:

active

bored

argue

tired

Correct answer:

active

Explanation:

"Incite" is the opposite of "quell".  So we are looking for a word that means the opposite of "lazy".

Example Question #173 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Reject is to spurn as disapprove is to __________.

Possible Answers:

convict

dislike

condemn

accept

approve

Correct answer:

condemn

Explanation:

If someone spurns another person, he or she rejects that person with contempt. Thus, in a sense, “to spurn” is a stronger sense of “to reject.” When something is held in contempt, it is believed to be so worthless that it is not worth being considered at all. When something is condemned, it is not merely disapproved but is completely disapproved, often being publicly denounced and perhaps even made illegal. For this reason, it is related to disapprove as spurn is to reject.

Example Question #2 : Changes In Intensity

Interested is to engrossed as cut is to __________.

Possible Answers:

injured

bruised

scraped

lacerated

broken

Correct answer:

lacerated

Explanation:

When someone is engrossed in something, he or she has all of his or her attention focused on that thing. Thus, “engrossed” could be said to mean “very interested.” We are therefore looking for a word that increases the intensity of the given word “cut.” Among the options provided, “lacerated” means “being cut very deeply.” This is the best option among those provided, for none of the others express this intensification.

Example Question #3 : Changes In Intensity

Cool is to freeze as anger is to __________.

Possible Answers:

heat

vex

irritate

displease

enrage

Correct answer:

enrage

Explanation:

Freezing is a more forceful kind of chilling action than merely cooling something. Among the options provided, “enrage” provides the best example of a more forceful kind of action of angering. To enrage is literally to “place rage into” someone, to make someone very angry. Just as freezing is a more powerful action than cooling, so too enraging is something far stronger than mere angering.

Example Question #1 : Changes In Intensity

Illuminating is to dazzling as shocking is to __________.

Possible Answers:

questioning

surprising

sickening

frightening

horrifying

Correct answer:

horrifying

Explanation:

Although we often use the word “illuminating” to describe something that is informative or interesting, the word’s original meaning is merely “shining light,” as in “illumination” from a lamp in a room. The word “dazzling” represents a stronger form of lighting, for something that is dazzling is so bright that it nearly blinds those looking at it. With regard to “shocking,” the only option that means “very shocking” is “horrifying.” Options like “frightening” and “sickening,” do not really give this sense of a “stronger shock.”

Example Question #175 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Attractive is to stunning as tempting is to __________.

Possible Answers:

temptation

malice

urge

sin

irresistible

Correct answer:

irresistible

Explanation:

When a woman is “stunning” in appearance, she is considered “very attractive.” (The metaphorical sense is that she is so attractive that it stops—i.e. stuns—those who see her.) Therefore, we are looking for a word that represents “very tempting.” Something that is irresistible is so tempting that one cannot avoid it. For instance, an “irresistible urge to eat a piece of pie” is an urge that is so tempting that you must give into it. None of the other options express this sense of “very tempting.”

Example Question #6 : Changes In Intensity

Surprising is to astonishing as easy is to __________.

Possible Answers:

vapid

element

farcical

simple

uncomplicated

Correct answer:

vapid

Explanation:

Something “astonishing” is very surprising (and perhaps also amazing). The sense of this analogy is, “Something astonishing is very surprising, as something X is very easy.”   Among the options, “vapid is the best.” The word originally comes from a usage meaning “having little flavor.” However, it has come to mean, “being completely unchallenging or not stimulating.” Sometimes, we will refer to “vapid music” that really just repeats several very simple chords over and over. It is “easy” for the listener, requiring little musical knowledge or thought. We could say by extension that something that is “vapid” is something that is very easy.

Example Question #7 : Changes In Intensity

Challenge is to overwhelm as dislike is to __________.

Possible Answers:

distaste

acceptance

distinction

ignorance

aversion

Correct answer:

aversion

Explanation:

Something that is “overwhelming” is so extremely challenging that it “defeats” the person attempting it (or overcomes them by its force / difficulty). The bridge sentence is a bit difficult here, for you need to read “dislike” not as a verb but as a noun. We do this when we say something like, “He had a strong dislike for pizza.” A “strong dislike” is an “aversion,” which is one of our options. None of the other potential answers capture the same sense of disliking something greatly.

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