HSPT Verbal : HSPT Verbal Skills

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #14 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Macabre is to morbid as courteous is to __________.

Possible Answers:

joyful

brave

gallant

affectionate

polite

Correct answer:

polite

Explanation:

Something macabre is unsettling because of its dark correlation to matters pertaining to death. Such a thing could also be said to be “morbid,” which can mean “disturbingly related to or interested in things like death.” Thus, the analogy could be written, “As macabre things are characterized by being morbid, so is something courteous characterized by being X.” Someone who is courteous is well mannered and polite, the latter of which is an option among the answers.

Example Question #121 : Analogies

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Luminous is to bright as obscure is to __________.

Possible Answers:

deafening

caustic

vague

lucid

elaborate

Correct answer:

vague

Explanation:

"Luminous" and "bright" are a pair of synonyms, much like "obscure" means the same as "vague."

Example Question #121 : Analogies

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Stirring is to inspirational as organized is to __________.

Possible Answers:

orderly

garrulous

dissheveled

absurd

complaining

Correct answer:

orderly

Explanation:

"Stirring" and "inspirational" are similar, just as "organized" and "orderly" are synonyms.

Example Question #254 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Ecstatic is to elated as distraught is to __________.

Possible Answers:

easygoing

prompt

blissful

hopeful

troubled

Correct answer:

troubled

Explanation:

"Ecstatic" and "elated are synonyms, just as "distraught" and "troubled" mean the same thing.

Example Question #121 : Analogies

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Indifferent is to apathetic as attentive is to __________.

Possible Answers:

observant

literature

unaware

study

bored

Correct answer:

observant

Explanation:

"Indifferent" and "apathetic" are strong synonyms, just as "attentive" and "observant" are very similar.

Example Question #122 : Analogies

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Trustworthy is to upright as unsuspecting is to __________.

Possible Answers:

savvy

obscure

wandering

gullible

honest

Correct answer:

gullible

Explanation:

"Trustworthy" and "upright" mean basically the same thing; "unsuspecting" and "gullible" are also synonyms.

Example Question #251 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Destitute is to penniless as crass is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sophisticated

exhausted

ancient

refined

vulgar

Correct answer:

vulgar

Explanation:

"Destitute" and "penniless" both mean the same thing, just as "crass" and "vulgar" are strong synonyms.

Example Question #124 : Analogies

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Passive is to indifferent as cryptic is to __________.

Possible Answers:

relaxed

deceased

enigmatic

concise

languid

Correct answer:

enigmatic

Explanation:

"Passive" and "indifferent" are synonyms, just as "cryptic" and "enigmatic" mean roughly the same thing.

Example Question #256 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Fraudulent is to counterfeit as trustworthy is to __________.

Possible Answers:

honorable

helpless

truant

deceptive

gullible

Correct answer:

honorable

Explanation:

"Fraudulent" and "counterfeit" are strong synonyms, just as "trustworthy" and "honorable" are very similar.

Example Question #252 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Depressed is to gloomy as ecstatic is to __________.

Possible Answers:

dour

blissful

agitated

confused

upset

Correct answer:

blissful

Explanation:

"Depressed" and "gloomy" are both synonyms, just as "ecstatic" and "blissful" mean roughly the same thing.

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