All HSPT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Example And Category
Camel is to fauna as whiskey is to __________.
prohibited
drunkenness
pleasure
spirit
gin
spirit
You have likely heard the expression “flora and fauna,” meaning something like “animals and plants (in a given area).” The analogy seems rather general, but there is a relationship between “camel” and “fauna,” namely that a camel is a member of the class of things we call fauna; therefore, we need to find the general class into which whiskey could be categorized. Although you could stretch a bit and attempt “pleasure,” so as to say that whiskey is a member of the class of pleasurable things, it is better to choose “spirit,” which not only has to do with immaterial beings but also is a word for strong alcoholic beverages (like whiskey). (“Wine and spirit stores” are ones that sell wine and stronger beverages as well).
Example Question #52 : Analogies
Baron is to nobility as beggar is to __________.
deprived
wastrel
underclass
forgotten
petition
underclass
A baron is a type of noble and thus could be said to be a member of the general class of “nobility.” The bridge sentence for this analogy could be constructed, “As a baron is a member of the nobility, so is a beggar a member of the X.” The only general class among the options provided is “underclass,” which is the part of society that is greatly impoverished and without employment. A beggar could fairly be said to be a member of this broader group.
Example Question #2 : Example And Category
Siamese is to feline as borough is to __________.
municipality
rural
election
council
metropolis
municipality
This analogy might seem strange at first sight, but likely you have heard of the Siamese breed of cats. The word “feline” is an adjective meaning “catlike” or “related to cats.” “Siamese” are a type of feline. Thus, we want to know of what general class is a “borough” a type. The word “borough” is related to the “-burg” or “-burgh” that we find at the end of many cities. It is a type of living district that has some kind of representation or at least administration. A municipality is a local area that has a government. This word is a general class in which other things like villages, cities, and towns could be included. Thus, it functions well as a general class for borough.
Example Question #3 : Example And Category
Brooch is to jewelry as crest is to __________.
glide
forehead
insignia
pass
hairline
insignia
A brooch is a type of pin used as decoration on one’s clothing. We could say in a bridge sentence, “Just as a brooch is a type of jewelry, so is a crest a type of X.” A crest generally denotes the notion of being at the top of something (e.g. the crest of a hill). Among the options, thee really are none that denote a general class other than “insignia.” The crest on a coat of arms is the insignia that is placed upon the top of the shield and is part of the insignia that designates the royal family represented by the coat of arms.
Example Question #4 : Example And Category
Trail is to route as polygon is to __________.
geometry
mathematics
Cartesian
angles
shape
shape
A trail is a type of route over which you could travel. The word “route” includes many other types of paths such as “roads,” “highways,” and “lanes.” Thus, the bridge sentence for this analogy could be formed as, “Just as a trail is a type of route, so is a polygon a type of X.” A polygon is a shape with multiple straight sides. It is used to describe any such figure, from triangles to shapes with 1,000 sides (and beyond); however, not all shapes are polygons—do not forget circles for instance! Thus, the only general class that is an option in this question is “shape,” which adequately fulfills the analogy.
Example Question #5 : Example And Category
Wreath is to decoration as caffeine is to __________.
awake
diurnal
coffee
stimulant
overwhelming
stimulant
A wreath is a type of decoration, the latter being the general class into which the former falls. Caffeine, which is found in substances like tea and coffee, is a stimulant or something that activates the body’s nervous system. (Hence, coffee keeps you awake if need be). There are other stimulants, whether drugs or medications, so this is a good general category of which caffeine is a member. Note that not even coffee is appropriate as an answer because we would not say that caffeine is a type of coffee. It is merely a substance in coffee.
Example Question #6 : Example And Category
Encyclopedia is to book as cumulous is to __________.
cloud
rainy
fluffy
precipitation
aerial
cloud
An encyclopedia is a type of book; therefore, the bridge sentence for this analogy could be written, “Just as an encyclopedia is a type of book, so too is a cumulous a type of X.” A cumulous is a type of cloud. While it is something that can be described as being either aerial or fluffy, these latter options do not name the general class into which they are placed. That is only done by the general noun “cloud.”
Example Question #45 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship
Croissant is to pastry as charm is to __________.
ruby
acceptable
jewel
beautiful
enjoy
jewel
A croissant is a type of French pastry; therefore, this is an analogy of a particular member to a broader class. A “charm” is a small item either worn on something like a bracelet or used as a magical talisman. Among the options for “charm” only jewel names a broader class into which “charm” can be placed.
Example Question #7 : Example And Category
Turquoise is to blue as rose is to __________.
bouquet
spring
barbed
red
thorns
red
The color turquoise is a shade of blue (or also a shade of green, depending on your perspective). It likewise is a type of stone that is blue-green. (The two uses, unsurprisingly, are related). Although you could read this analogy as using “turquoise” and “rose” to describe the physical things indicated by those names, it is easier to understand if you consider them merely as colors. As turquoise is a type of blue, so is rose a type of red. (It is purple-pink). The analogy would work for the physical objects as well, though. (As a turquoise stone is blue—or at least bluish—so is a rose red—or at least reddish).
Example Question #191 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Missive is to communication as will is to __________.
pushy
vigorous
strength
document
constancy
document
The word “missive” comes from the Latin for to send. It is founding words like “transmit” and “emit.” It means “a letter,” often implying that the letter is either lengthy or official. There are two options for this analogy. You could read it as stating, “Just a missive is a means of communication, so too is a will a means of X;” however, none of the options really work well for that; therefore, try another reading: “Just as a missive is a type of communication, so too is a will X.” A will is a type of document used for declaring the actions to be taken after one’s death.
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