HSPT Verbal : Synonyms, Antonyms, and Changes in Intensity

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Ecstatic is to elated as distraught is to __________.

Possible Answers:

troubled

easygoing

blissful

prompt

hopeful

Correct answer:

troubled

Explanation:

"Ecstatic" and "elated are synonyms, just as "distraught" and "troubled" mean the same thing.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Indifferent is to apathetic as attentive is to __________.

Possible Answers:

literature

observant

bored

unaware

study

Correct answer:

observant

Explanation:

"Indifferent" and "apathetic" are strong synonyms, just as "attentive" and "observant" are very similar.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Trustworthy is to upright as unsuspecting is to __________.

Possible Answers:

savvy

obscure

gullible

wandering

honest

Correct answer:

gullible

Explanation:

"Trustworthy" and "upright" mean basically the same thing; "unsuspecting" and "gullible" are also synonyms.

Example Question #24 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Destitute is to penniless as crass is to __________.

Possible Answers:

exhausted

ancient

vulgar

sophisticated

refined

Correct answer:

vulgar

Explanation:

"Destitute" and "penniless" both mean the same thing, just as "crass" and "vulgar" are strong synonyms.

Example Question #25 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Passive is to indifferent as cryptic is to __________.

Possible Answers:

concise

deceased

languid

relaxed

enigmatic

Correct answer:

enigmatic

Explanation:

"Passive" and "indifferent" are synonyms, just as "cryptic" and "enigmatic" mean roughly the same thing.

Example Question #26 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Fraudulent is to counterfeit as trustworthy is to __________.

Possible Answers:

truant

gullible

helpless

honorable

deceptive

Correct answer:

honorable

Explanation:

"Fraudulent" and "counterfeit" are strong synonyms, just as "trustworthy" and "honorable" are very similar.

Example Question #26 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Depressed is to gloomy as ecstatic is to __________.

Possible Answers:

blissful

confused

dour

agitated

upset

Correct answer:

blissful

Explanation:

"Depressed" and "gloomy" are both synonyms, just as "ecstatic" and "blissful" mean roughly the same thing.

Example Question #27 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Abandon is to withdraw as attack is to __________.

Possible Answers:

begrudge

assail

understand

harmonize

allow

Correct answer:

assail

Explanation:

"Abandon" and "withdraw" are both synonyms, just like "attack" and "assail" are similar in meaning.

Example Question #28 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.

Restricted is to limited as burdened is to __________.

Possible Answers:

hindered

carefree

desperate

broken

desolate

Correct answer:

hindered

Explanation:

"Restricted" and "limited" are both synonyms, just as "burdened" and "hindered" are both alike in meaning. 

Example Question #29 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.

Loving is to compassionate as cruel is to __________.

Possible Answers:

understanding

intentions

warm

unfortunate

inhumane

Correct answer:

inhumane

Explanation:

"Loving" and "compassionate" have similar definitions, just as "cruel" and "inhumane" are synonyms.

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