HSPT Verbal : Analogies

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #311 : Analogies

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

Carnivore is to meat as herbivore is to __________.

Possible Answers:

dinosaur

plants

sausage

food

herbs

Correct answer:

plants

Explanation:

A "carnivore" is one who eats primarily "meat," whereas an "herbivore" eats mainly "plants."

Example Question #4 : Specific Terminology

Nasal is to nose as aural is to __________.

Possible Answers:

music

ears

mouth

glorious

hospital

Correct answer:

ears

Explanation:

The word "nasal" pertains to the "nose," while anything "aural" is referring to what can be heard through the "ears."

Example Question #5 : Specific Terminology

Geology is to earth as biology is to __________.

Possible Answers:

science

chemistry

university

doctor

life

Correct answer:

life

Explanation:

"Geology" is the science dedicated to the study of the "earth," as "biology" is dedicated to studying "life."

Example Question #445 : Hspt Verbal Skills

"Trombone" is to "audible" as "projector" is to __________.

Possible Answers:

image

visible

enjoyable

cinema

film

Correct answer:

visible

Explanation:

The word “audible” means “able to be heard” or “pertaining to the sense of hearing.” Therefore, the analogy implies, “As a trombone produces an audible effect, so too does a projector produce . . .” While a number of the options describe what a projector might make—an image or a film—and likewise where it might be used—in a cinema—the only appropriate word is one that describes the general type of effect produced by the projector. As such, the projector is better said to produce a visible effect than an enjoyable one. Enjoyable effects might be produced by man things other than projectors, but it is proper to the projector to produce a visible effect.

Example Question #446 : Hspt Verbal Skills

"Eye" is to "sight" as "heart" is to __________.

Possible Answers:

fluid

circulation

cardiac

blood

chest

Correct answer:

circulation

Explanation:

Just as the purpose of the eye’s proper functioning is sight, the heart’s proper function is the circulation of blood and fluid through the body. Note that the words “blood” and “fluid” tell you what the heart circulates. They do not describe the activity of the heart, which is precisely the act of circulation itself.

Example Question #447 : Hspt Verbal Skills

"Cobbler" is to "footwear" as "tailor" is to __________.

Possible Answers:

trade

trousers

skill

attire

cleaning

Correct answer:

attire

Explanation:

A cobbler is more than a type of delicious dessert. The word likewise mean “a person who repairs footwear.” The analogy thus runs, “As the cobbler repairs footwear, so does the tailor repair . . .” Now, a tailor does indeed to more than repair items, but the analogy merely focuses on this aspect of repairing. While a tailor might repair trousers, the general thing that they repair are clothes, a synonym of which is “attire.” This is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #1 : Product And Producer

Computer is to calculation as actor is to __________.

Possible Answers:

contest

costume

theatre

award

monologue

Correct answer:

monologue

Explanation:

The relationship between computers and calculations is that the former perform the latter. While it is used in an extended sense, we can say that an actor performs a monologue, not merely in the theatrical sense of “perform” but also in the sense of “doing.” The monologue of an actor is a given task—like a calculation for a computer—that he does. Furthermore, none of the other potential answers are quite specific to actors, indicating that they are unlikely candidates. Finally, none of the other options are specific actions to be done. For the reasons already mentioned, we need to have a specific action. For this reason, “monologue,” stands out as the best answer.

Example Question #2 : Product And Producer

Raconteur is to stories as perjurer is to __________.

Possible Answers:

oath

lies

pledge

judged

court

Correct answer:

lies

Explanation:

A “raconteur” is a person who is someone who can retell stories (often in an amusing way). The analogy could be read as stating, “As a raconteur is known for telling stories, so a perjurer is known for X.” When someone commits perjury, that person makes a false statement in court when he or she is under oath to speak the truth; therefore, the best option among those provided is “lies,” for this best describes that for which a perjurer would be characteristically known.

Example Question #449 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Seed is to descendents as tributary is to __________.

Possible Answers:

hero

accomplishment

praise

river

remembrance

Correct answer:

river

Explanation:

A seed gives rise to descendents—whether we are discussing the seed of plants or the “seed” of animals (sperm). A tributary is a body of water that runs into a larger one, feeding it as well as helping to create it.  It could be said that just as a seed gives rise to descendents—even for generations from one seed—so too does a tributary give rise to a river. Among the options, this is the only one that fits the analogy in any manner.

Example Question #1 : Product And Producer

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Minerals are to mine as timber is to __________.

Possible Answers:

forest

wooden

chainsaw

construction

lumber

Correct answer:

forest

Explanation:

"Minerals" are extraceted from a "mine," much like "timber" is extracted from a "forest."

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