HSPT Verbal : Analogies

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Lax is to negligent as malaise is to __________.

Possible Answers:

uneasiness

thrill

disagreement

anger

sadness

Correct answer:

uneasiness

Explanation:

When someone is “lax,” he or she is “loose” with discipline or care. The word is related to “relax.” In the case of “lax,” it is often implied that such “laxity” is a bad character trait for which the person should be judged negatively. Since “negligence” is the failure to perform a necessary or required task with appropriate care, it is a relative synonym for lax. “Malaise” is the state of feeling uneasy, though one cannot exactly explain why this is the case. Thus, the best synonymous answer for this analogy is “uneasiness.”

Example Question #10 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Consensus is to agreement as freedom is to __________.

Possible Answers:

fighter

argument

constitution

political

liberty

Correct answer:

liberty

Explanation:

Perhaps you have heard the expression, “political consensus.” It is used to describe the situation when a group of differing political parties are able to come together in agreement on some topic. The word “consensus” literally means “feeling or sensing together.” (The “con-” prefix means “with,” as in “congregate” and “chili con carne”—chili with meat). Thus, “consensus” is relatively synonymous with “agreement.” Among the options provided for freedom, several might tempt you because of indirect references and relations (like “fighter,” “constitution,” and “political”); however, the best option is “liberty,” which is the only option that is directly synonymous with “freedom.”

Example Question #11 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Glutton is to intemperate as imbecile is to __________.

Possible Answers:

annoying

unintelligent

elementary

worthless

useless

Correct answer:

unintelligent

Explanation:

A glutton is a person who does not control the amount of food that he or she eats, overindulging. Such a person can be called “intemperate.” Although it is usually used to describe the forgoing of alcohol, the word “temperance” also can mean self-control regarding desires more generally considered. An imbecile is a foolish or stupid person. Such a person could be called “unintelligent.”

Example Question #12 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Tedium is to dull as wondrous is to __________.

Possible Answers:

unknown

folklore

mythical

lie

exciting

Correct answer:

exciting

Explanation:

Something that is tedious is repetitive and boring. Tedium describes the state of being tedious, as when we say, “The class was complete tedium, for the professor lectured about the most obvious facts in the world.” Such things are dull and uninteresting; therefore, the analogy could be rewritten, “Just as a state of tedium is dull, so too is something wondrous X.” Something wondrous might be unknown, but even very familiar things can evoke wonder. In a sense, things that are wondrous can be said to evoke a kind of excitement. Thus “exciting” is at least the most acceptable among the answers provided.

Example Question #244 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Choose the best answer that best completes the comparison.

Overjoyed is to gleeful as miserable is to __________.

Possible Answers:

strange

abundant

gloomy

opulent

stressed

Correct answer:

gloomy

Explanation:

"Overjoyed" and "gleeful" are synonyms; therefore a similar word for "miserable" is "gloomy."

Example Question #113 : Analogies

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Prudent is to cautious as traitorous is to __________.

Possible Answers:

expensive

backstabbing

pacified

honorable

hollow

Correct answer:

backstabbing

Explanation:

"Prudent" means the same thing as "cautious," just as "traitorous" and "backstabbing" are synonyms.

Example Question #113 : Analogies

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Luxurious is to opulent as dilapidated is to __________.

Possible Answers:

restored

purified

hearty

crumbling

lavish

Correct answer:

crumbling

Explanation:

"Luxurious" and "opulent" mean roughly the same thing, just as "dilapidated" and "crumbling" are synonyms.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Valiant is to brave as craven is to __________.

Possible Answers:

annoyed

distraught

cowardly

hungry

heroic

Correct answer:

cowardly

Explanation:

"Valiant" is another word for "brave," much like "craven" is a synonym for "cowardly."

Example Question #13 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Arcane is unknown as fashionable is to __________.

Possible Answers:

popular

garb

expensive

clothing

costly

Correct answer:

popular

Explanation:

Something arcane is mysterious and secret, generally unknown by many people. Sometimes, the word is used to describe things that are magical, as in “arcane arts.” It can be used more generally, as in, “For many people, the invisible life of computer programs and circuits appears to be a form of knowledge too arcane to be understood by the uninitiated.” Thus, the analogy could be written, “As something that is arcane is fairly called unknown, so is something fashionable fairly called X.” While something fashionable can be expensive or costly, being fashionable is essentially a matter of being popular. This is the best option among those provided. (Note that this is an analogy of loose synonymy).

Example Question #14 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Macabre is to morbid as courteous is to __________.

Possible Answers:

joyful

brave

gallant

affectionate

polite

Correct answer:

polite

Explanation:

Something macabre is unsettling because of its dark correlation to matters pertaining to death. Such a thing could also be said to be “morbid,” which can mean “disturbingly related to or interested in things like death.” Thus, the analogy could be written, “As macabre things are characterized by being morbid, so is something courteous characterized by being X.” Someone who is courteous is well mannered and polite, the latter of which is an option among the answers.

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