HSPT Verbal : HSPT Verbal Skills

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #173 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Destitution is to wealth as frigidity is to __________.

Possible Answers:

cool

life

potable

heat

icy

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:

tasteless

delight

angering

humbling

annoying

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:

unrestricted

bound

unlimited

helpfulness

committed

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

descend

rise

shout

break

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 #92 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the answer that completes the comparison.

Generous is to miserly as blameless is to __________.

Possible Answers:

innocent

guilty

understanding

wise

heartbroken

Correct answer:

guilty

Explanation:

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

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

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Hopeful is to disillusioned as aggressive is to __________.

Possible Answers:

prideful

short-tempered

passive

sinful

mocking

Correct answer:

passive

Explanation:

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

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

Conflict is to peace as tranquility is to __________.

Possible Answers:

serenity

isolation

disturbance

rare

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 #95 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Potable is to contaminant as healthy is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sanguine

intravenous

salacious

disease

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 #96 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Irreligious is to piety as languid is to __________.

Possible Answers:

atheistic

recondite

strength

flaccid

adamantine

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 #322 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Enervation is to energy as mendacity is to __________.

Possible Answers:

destroyed

imperfect

perfection

repaired

truth

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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