HSPT Verbal : Analogies: Determining Meaning from Type of Relationship

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #191 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Safe is to danger as wakeful is to __________.

Possible Answers:

pacing

sleep

alertness

caffeinated

lax

Correct answer:

sleep

Explanation:

Something that is safe lacks danger. Thus, this analogy could be rewritten, “As something safe lacks danger, so does a wakeful state lack X.” When someone is wakeful, he or she either does not need sleep or cannot do so. Likewise, the word can be used to describe a period of time as in “a wakeful night.” In the latter case, it means “a night passed without sleep.” The word “sleep” is the best option for that which is lacking in wakefulness.

Example Question #192 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Impregnable is to weakness as flaccid is to __________.

Possible Answers:

lazy

firmness

distinguished

flabby

swinging

Correct answer:

firmness

Explanation:

Something that is impregnable is unable to be broken or destroyed. For instance, an “impregnable fortress” is one believed to be completely safe and unable to be overcome. Such a thing lacks any weakness. Thus, the analogy could be written, “As something impregnable lacks weakness, something flaccid lacks X.” Something flaccid is soft, loose, or flabby. Such a thing lacks firmness.

Example Question #193 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Deterrent is to discourage as revelation is to __________.

Possible Answers:

vision

disclose

apocalyptic

appearance

visible

Correct answer:

disclose

Explanation:

A deterrent is something that instills doubt regarding a possible course of action. For instance, one could say, “The thought of the cold weather was a deterrent against running outside, and Peter decided to stay inside with a warm cup of coffee instead.” Thus, the analogy could be rewritten as “A deterrent is meant to discourage as a revelation is meant to X.” Although the word “revelation” is often used in religious contexts, particularly Christian ones speaking of the “Book of Revelation” in the Bible, it means “the making known of something that had been secret.” (It is—unsurprisingly—related to “reveal”). A revelation is meant to disclose some previously unknown fact.

Example Question #194 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Intermittent is to irregularity as steadfast is to __________.

Possible Answers:

shaky

regular

loyalty

ponderous

boring

Correct answer:

loyalty

Explanation:

When something occurs “intermittently,” it happens in a way that is not regular. While a clock ticks regularly, the dripping of a faucet occurs intermittently without any pattern. Thus, the analogy could be written, “As something intermittent is characterized by irregularity, so is a steadfast person characterized by X.” When a person is steadfast, he or she is devoted in a faithful and unwavering manner. Such a person is characterized by loyalty, which is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #337 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Dishonest is to upright as studious is to __________.

Possible Answers:

abundant

woeful

disciplined

scholarly

ignorant

Correct answer:

ignorant

Explanation:

"Dishonest" and "upright" are strong antonyms; similarly an anotnym of "studious" is "ignorant."

Example Question #338 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Rigid is to flaccid as coarse is to __________.

Possible Answers:

delicate

sandpaper

overwheliming

knowledgable

rough

Correct answer:

delicate

Explanation:

"Rigid" and "flaccid" are total opposites, just as an antonym for "coarse" is "delicate."

Example Question #339 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Abundant is to scarce as gargantuan is to __________.

Possible Answers:

enlarged

terrible

miniscule

open-minded

astonishing

Correct answer:

miniscule

Explanation:

"Abundant" is the opposite of "scarce," as are "garngantuan" and "miniscule" antonyms.

Example Question #105 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Composed is to agitated as urgent is to __________.

Possible Answers:

immediate

emergency

broken

unimportant

senile

Correct answer:

unimportant

Explanation:

"Composed" and "agitated" are antonyms, as are "urgent" and "unimportant."

Example Question #341 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Proud is to humble as silence is to __________.

Possible Answers:

reverence

clamor

haughty

wasteful

overbearing

Correct answer:

clamor

Explanation:

"Proud" and "humble" are strong opposites, just as "silence" and "clamor" are antonyms.

Example Question #342 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Unsure is to certain as enlightened is to __________.

Possible Answers:

ignorant

wise

deceitful

illuminated

noble

Correct answer:

ignorant

Explanation:

"Unsure" and "certain" are clearly antonyms; therefore the opposite of "enlightened" is "ignorant."

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