HSPT Verbal : Analogies

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #301 : Analogies

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Relaxed is to carefree as stressed is to __________.

Possible Answers:

unknown

burdened

forceful

galvanized

layered

Correct answer:

burdened

Explanation:

"Relaxed" and "carefree" are both synonyms, just as "stressed" and "burdened" have a similar meaning.

Example Question #24 : Changes In Intensity

Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.

Dessicated is to dry as drenched is to __________.

Possible Answers:

water

precipitation

swamp

desert

wet

Correct answer:

wet

Explanation:

"Dessicated" and "dry" are synonyms, just as "drenched" and "wet" have the same meaning.

Example Question #28 : Changes In Intensity

Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.

Numb is to frostbite as singed is to __________.

Possible Answers:

burn

oven

truth

skin

elevated

Correct answer:

burn

Explanation:

"Frostbite" often causes the affected area to be "numb," in the way that a "burn" can cause an area to be "singed."

Example Question #29 : Changes In Intensity

Answer the question by choosing the word that best completes the comparison.

Absolve is to forgive as blame is to __________.

Possible Answers:

praise

join

condemn

plead

flee

Correct answer:

condemn

Explanation:

"Absolve" and "forgive" are both synonyms, just as "blame" and "condemn" mean the same thing.

Example Question #30 : Changes In Intensity

Select the word that best completes the comparison.

Evolve is to develop as stagnate is to __________.

Possible Answers:

strengthen

known

hustle

stall

flourish

Correct answer:

stall

Explanation:

"Evolve" and "develop" are similar in meaning; therefore a synonym of "stagnate" is "stall."

Example Question #31 : Changes In Intensity

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

Scandal is to rumor as commendation is to __________.

Possible Answers:

reproach

tale

praise

helpful

wrongdoing

Correct answer:

praise

Explanation:

"Scandal" and "rumor" are synonyms, just as "commendation" and "praise" have similar meanings.

Example Question #302 : Analogies

Soiled is to filthy as wet is to __________.

Possible Answers:

damp

drenched

typhoon

drizzle

moist

Correct answer:

drenched

Explanation:

To be filthy is to be soiled to a great degree. Therefore, the notion that bridges these two terms is the idea of increase. One could say, “Just as something filthy is very soiled, so to something that is X is very wet.” Among the options provided, “drenched” best matches this usage, for it means completely soaked. Do not be tricked by “typhoon.” A typhoon is not an adjective describing wetness as is "drenched."

Example Question #303 : Analogies

Infringement is to violation as expedition is to __________.

Possible Answers:

backpacking

ambling

excursion

daredevil

swashbuckling

Correct answer:

excursion

Explanation:

The word “infringement” means literally an act of breaking upon something. It is derived from the Latin for to break, as is found in the English “fracture.” The more generally used meaning for the word is the act of breaking a law or agreement. Such an action is one of violation. The words are relatively synonymous. An "expedition" is a journey with some particular goal. The word “excursion” is a relatively synonymous option, as it means a trip, often connoting that it is for enjoyment. While this is not directly synonymous, it is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #304 : Analogies

Dental is to teeth as renal is to __________.

Possible Answers:

mildew

kidney

auditory

gambling

eye

Correct answer:

kidney

Explanation:

Things that are dental are related to teeth. The “dent-” portion of the word comes from the Latin for teeth. The word “renal” is used to describe something pertaining to the kidneys.  It too is related to a Latin root, namely “renes,” which means “kidney.” When someone suffers “renal failure,” he or she is suffering from kidney failure. The analogy thus reads, “As ‘dental’ describes things related to the teeth, so does ‘renal’ describe things related to the kidneys.”

Example Question #292 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Answer the question by choosing the word that best completes the comparison.

Dentist is to teeth as optometrist is to __________.

Possible Answers:

doctor

feet

eyes

office

skin

Correct answer:

eyes

Explanation:

A "dentist" is a doctor that specializes in "teeth," whereas an "optometrist" specializes in "eyes."

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors