HSPT Verbal : HSPT Verbal Skills

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #321 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Destitution is to wealth as frigidity is to __________.

Possible Answers:

life

potable

icy

cool

heat

Correct answer:

heat

Explanation:

Destitution is a state of extreme poverty, so a person living in destitution could be said to be in the state of lacking wealth. Something “frigid” is very cold, thus being best described as lacking any heat. This is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #191 : Analogies

Fickle is to constancy as displeasing is to __________.

Possible Answers:

humbling

annoying

delight

tasteless

angering

Correct answer:

delight

Explanation:

A fickle person is someone who frequently changes from one thing to another relatively rapidly. For instance, a “fickle friend” changes friends very regularly. Such a person lacks constancy in relationships, being unable to sustain a constant, lasting bond with anyone. The analogy thus could be rewritten as, “As a fickle person lacks constancy, so does something that is displeasing lack X.” Something that is displeasing does not give pleasure and thus could be said to lack delight, which is the best answer among those provided.

Example Question #192 : Analogies

Discourteous is to respect as unobliging is to __________.

Possible Answers:

committed

unrestricted

helpfulness

unlimited

bound

Correct answer:

helpfulness

Explanation:

Someone who is discourteous does not show respect or consideration for others. Thus, the analogy could be rewritten, “As someone who is discourteous lacks respect, so does someone who is unobliging lack X.” Someone who is “obliging” is helpful or willing to do a helpful or kind act.  In contrast, an “unobliging” person is someone who is unwilling to be helpful. Thus such a person could be said to be lacking in “helpfulness.”

Example Question #91 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.

Advance is to retreat as ascend is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sprint

break

descend

shout

rise

Correct answer:

descend

Explanation:

"Advance" is the opposite of "retreat," so therefore the opposite of "ascend" would be "descend," or to go down.

Example Question #325 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Choose the answer that completes the comparison.

Generous is to miserly as blameless is to __________.

Possible Answers:

wise

guilty

innocent

heartbroken

understanding

Correct answer:

guilty

Explanation:

"Generous" and "miserly" are strong antonyms; therefore the opposite of "blameless" is "guilty."

Example Question #194 : Analogies

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Hopeful is to disillusioned as aggressive is to __________.

Possible Answers:

short-tempered

sinful

passive

prideful

mocking

Correct answer:

passive

Explanation:

"Hopeful" and "disillusioned" are antonyms, much like "aggressive" is the opposite of "passive."

Example Question #92 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Conflict is to peace as tranquility is to __________.

Possible Answers:

disturbance

rare

serenity

isolation

brokered

Correct answer:

disturbance

Explanation:

Conflict is a state of disagreement and therefore lacks peace. The analogy could thus be reformulated, “As conflict is a state lacking peace, so is tranquility a state lacking X.” When things are tranquil, they are calm and free from disturbing events and acts. Tranquility is the state of such peace. Among the options provided, only “disturbance” provides an adequate description of what is lacking in tranquility.

Example Question #93 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Potable is to contaminant as healthy is to __________.

Possible Answers:

disease

salacious

sanguine

intravenous

salubrious

Correct answer:

disease

Explanation:

The word “potable” comes from the Latin word for “to drink” or “drinkable.” This latter sense still is retained in the English, as the word “potable” means either “drinkable” or “safe to drink.”  When liquid is potable, it is free of any contamination. Thus, the analogy could be written, “As potable water lacks contaminants, so does something that is healthy lack X.” Among the options provided, only “disease” fits the needed sense of that which is lacking in someone who is healthy.

Example Question #94 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Irreligious is to piety as languid is to __________.

Possible Answers:

adamantine

atheistic

recondite

strength

flaccid

Correct answer:

strength

Explanation:

An irreligious person is either indifferent with regard to religion or hostile against it. Such a person likely shows little, that is, little reverence. The word “pious” can mean “dutiful” in a general sense, though the word is almost always used in the specific sense of “religiously dutiful.” The bridge sentence for this analogy could be written, “As someone irreligious lacks piety, so does someone who is languid lack X.”  The word “languid” can mean “relaxed” or “lazy-seeming” as well as “weak or faint.” Something that is languid lacks strength, which is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #95 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Enervation is to energy as mendacity is to __________.

Possible Answers:

repaired

destroyed

truth

perfection

imperfect

Correct answer:

truth

Explanation:

Think of the word “enervation” in the sense of “ex+nerves,” as though to say, “The strength of nerves has gone away (ex-).”  It means “the state of lacking energy.” Thus, the analogy could be written, “As the state of enervation is one of lacking energy, so is mendacity the state or characteristic of lacking X.” A mendacious person or thing is one that is deceptive. Thus, the best option is “truth,” for this is what something mendacious lacks.

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