HSPT Verbal : Analogies

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #331 : Analogies

Cloak is to covering as trunk is to __________.

Possible Answers:

concrete

storage

latch

lock

rear

Correct answer:

storage

Explanation:

The best way to describe the relationship between “cloak” and “covering” is that a cloak is used for covering oneself; therefore, the answer needs to describe the use of a trunk. While a trunk can be latched or locked, the only option that describes the actual purpose for a trunk is “storage.” (Recall that a trunk is a type of chest for storage, not merely the rear compartment in a car—thought that could be said to be used for storage as well).

Example Question #332 : Analogies

Solder is to metal as treaty is to __________.

Possible Answers:

beneficial

international

diplomat

agreement

politics

Correct answer:

agreement

Explanation:

Solder is a type of metal that easily melts; therefore, we could write the bridge sentence for this analogy as, “As solder is a type of metal, so is a treaty a type of X.” A treaty is an agreement, generally between two sovereign nations. Not all agreements are treaties. (A contract, for instance, is a type of agreement); therefore, “agreement” is the best option among those provided, for it alone provides a general class of which a “treaty” is a specific type.

Example Question #333 : Analogies

Fortification is to defense as telephony is to __________.

Possible Answers:

vocal

communication

wire

communicative

voice

Correct answer:

communication

Explanation:

When someone fortifies something, he or she strengthens it against potential attack or assault. The word comes from the Latin for “strong.” A fortification is something that has been strengthened against attack—for instance, a bunker or a castle. It can also refer to the walls and other things used to fortify the given area. Thus, a fortification is used for defense. The analogy could be read as stating, “As a fortification is used for defense, so is telephony used for X.” Telephony is merely “a system using telephones.” This would be used for communication.

Example Question #334 : Analogies

Barometer is to pressure as chronometer is to __________.

Possible Answers:

time

color

watch

tool

clock

Correct answer:

time

Explanation:

A barometer is an instrument for measuring air pressure. When you hear of “barometric pressure,” this is referring to the pressure of the air and often indicates certain aspects of the weather. Now, if you did not know this, you might have been able to guess that we are dealing with something that measures in both cases of our words because they both contain the ending “-meter.” A “chronometer” is something that measures time. The “chronology” of events is the order in which they unfold in time, and “chronic” illness is one that lasts for a long period of time. While a watch and a clock might be chronometers, the analogy wants function, not examples.

Example Question #335 : Analogies

"Cupboard" is to "caching" as "ladder" is to __________.

Possible Answers:

outdoor

climbing

repairing

roofing

working

Correct answer:

climbing

Explanation:

The general relationship of this analogy is rather simple, but you need to know the meaning of the word “caching.” A “cache” of something is a hidden set of those items, often stored up for the future. The verb “to cache” merely means “to hide or store for the future.” A cupboard can at least be said to be used for this purpose, even if it has other purposes. For this reason, the analogous word for ladder must describe such functioning. The word “climbing” is best. Think of it this way: “Just as a cupboard can be used for caching, so too can a ladder be used for climbing.”

Example Question #336 : Analogies

Film is to photography as clay is to __________.

Possible Answers:

minerals

painting

tennis

sculpture

ground

Correct answer:

sculpture

Explanation:

"Film" is the medium by which "photography" is expressd, just as "sculpture" is often expressed with "clay."

Example Question #337 : Analogies

Painter is to brush as musician is to __________.

Possible Answers:

symphony

recital

concert

performance

instrument

Correct answer:

instrument

Explanation:

A brush is a tool used by a painter, so this analogy calls for the tool used by a musician. Among the options given, the only one that fits that need is “instrument.”

Example Question #2 : User And Tool

Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.

General is to army as admiral is to __________.

Possible Answers:

navy

military

commanding

sail

captain

Correct answer:

navy

Explanation:

A "general" is the top leader of an "army," while an "admiral" is the leader of a "navy."

Example Question #3 : User And Tool

Choose the word that best completes the comparison.

Curator is to museum as director is to __________.

Possible Answers:

art

film

camera

award

Hollywood

Correct answer:

film

Explanation:

A "curator" is responsible for directing a "museum," just as a "director" is responsible for directing a "film."

Example Question #338 : Analogies

Teacher is to students as demagogue is to __________.

Possible Answers:

rhetorical

crowd

oration

manipulation

illogical

Correct answer:

crowd

Explanation:

Students are the group to whom a teacher directs his or her acts of teaching. A demagogue is a person who appeals to popular sentiment, often through oratory, to influence political decisions. The “dem-” in the word is related to the same form found in “democracy,” meaning “the people.” The sense of the word “demagogue” is that such a person uses oratory “on the crowd or throng of people” to whip them into a fury over something. Thus, a crowd stands in relation to a demagogue as a group of students stands to a teacher.

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