HSPT Verbal : HSPT Verbal Skills

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Synonyms

"Eloquent" most nearly means __________.

Possible Answers:

reserved

stumbling

well-spoken

aloof

intimidating

Correct answer:

well-spoken

Explanation:

Someone who is "eloquent" has an excellent command of the language they are speaking. They are incredibly "well-spoken."

Example Question #12 : Synonyms

"Resolution" most nearly means __________.

Possible Answers:

confusion

elegance

loneliness

irritation

decision

Correct answer:

decision

Explanation:

A "resolution" is a decision, usually a strong decision. So, "decision" is the correct answer. 

Example Question #13 : Synonyms

"Bard" most nearly means __________.

Possible Answers:

pheasant

poet

literary

savant

scholar

Correct answer:

poet

Explanation:

A bard is a type of poet, often spoken of in literature or in old tales. In many cases, the bard—perhaps traveling—would recite long tales that had been passed down orally. The word is important to know, however, for the word is sometimes used as a proper noun—i.e. as “the Bard.” This usage refers to the great English playwright and poet, William Shakespeare.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms

"Vivacious" most nearly means __________.

Possible Answers:

animated

excited

dark

emotional

cold

Correct answer:

animated

Explanation:

"Vivacious" comes from the Latin root "viv," which means life. "Vivacious" literally means full of life. Therefore, "animated," a word that means energetic or vibrant, is going to be our best choice.

Example Question #15 : Synonyms

"Guile" most nearly means __________.

Possible Answers:

emptiness

thoughtfulness

certainty

deceitfulness

sensitivity

Correct answer:

deceitfulness

Explanation:

"Guile" means cleverness, but the word has a negative connotation—someone who has "guile" is trying to outwit and outsmart other people, usually for personal gain. Therefore, "deceitfullness" will come the closest to our word's meaning.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

Diffidence most closely means __________.

Possible Answers:

controversy

negation

opposition

bashfulness

dissimilarity

Correct answer:

bashfulness

Explanation:

The word “diffidence” literally means “not having faith” in oneself. The “-fidence” portion of the word is related to other English words pertaining to faith, such as “fidelity” and “confidence.” When someone does not have faith or trust in himself or herself, that person is often bashful or shy due to that lack of confidence. A related word, “diffident” is the adjective form of the word.

Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

Vociferous most closely means __________.

Possible Answers:

fruitful

remarkable

outspoken

opposed

supportive

Correct answer:

outspoken

Explanation:

The word “vociferous” is quite recognizably related to the words “voice,” “vocal,” and so forth. The “-fer” portion of the word is derived from the Latin for “to carry,” as is found in the words “transfer” (to carry across) and “aquifer” (something that carries water between two or more places). The word vociferous means “carrying voice” in the sense of being loud or outspoken. For example, one could say, “At the proposition that she should change her political affiliation, the young woman became particularly vociferous, arguing passionately for her beliefs.”

Example Question #16 : Synonyms

Impervious most closely means __________.

Possible Answers:

unknowing

moral

partition

unaffected

ignorant

Correct answer:

unaffected

Explanation:

The word "impervious" properly means not letting liquids pass through. For example, a plastic bag can be said to be “impervious.” Often, the sense of the word is extended to apply to any instance of not letting things through. It thus takes on the sense of being unaffected by. Someone could be said to be “impervious to distractions” or many other such things. In these cases, the expression “impervious to” means “unaffected by.”

Example Question #17 : Synonyms

Temper most closely means __________.

Possible Answers:

despot

strengthen

exhilaration

exultation

overbearing

Correct answer:

strengthen

Explanation:

Although we think of “temper” as having to do with someone’s disposition (or the state of being angry in particular), the word does have the additional use of to harden. The word is related to Latin roots meaning to mix. When one makes “tempered steel,” it is heated and cooled in order to change its hardness. While it is heated, other materials might be added to the steel to alter its condition. Among the options, the only one that matches this sense is “strengthen.” The other options appear to deal with “temperament,” but none of them are general enough even to fit that usage.

Example Question #18 : Synonyms

Divert most closely means __________.

Possible Answers:

barricade

overcome

redirect

dam

obstruct

Correct answer:

redirect

Explanation:

The word “divert” comes from two root words that you may know. The “di-” prefix can often mean away from. The “-vert” is found in words like “convert,” “versatile,” “advertise” (as well as many other words). It comes from the Latin for to turn. To “divert” something means to turn something away from its course. Thus, one could think of it meaning something like to deflect or to redirect. For instance, one could say, “The city decided to divert the course of the stream in order to have it flow several miles to the west of the borders of the town.” A “diversion” is something that is meant to take someone’s attention away from another thing or event. For example, in a crime, someone might play the role of “setting up a diversion” in order to allow the robber to do his illegal act without getting caught.

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