HSPT Verbal : HSPT Verbal Skills
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #296 : Analogies
Immoral is to iniquitous as possible is to __________.
turpitude
feasible
viable
desirable
probable
probable
Someone who is “iniquitous” is very immoral or wicked. Therefore, our bridge sentence is, “Just as something iniquitous is very immoral, so too is something X very possible.” Among the options provided, “probable” is the only word providing a sense of being “very possible.” The options “feasible” and “viable,” while they do connote that something is indeed a possible option, do not connote the sense of being “very possible.”
Example Question #24 : Changes In Intensity
Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.
Relaxed is to carefree as stressed is to __________.
layered
forceful
unknown
burdened
galvanized
burdened
"Relaxed" and "carefree" are both synonyms, just as "stressed" and "burdened" have a similar meaning.
Example Question #197 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity
Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.
Dessicated is to dry as drenched is to __________.
water
desert
wet
precipitation
swamp
wet
"Dessicated" and "dry" are synonyms, just as "drenched" and "wet" have the same meaning.
Example Question #25 : Changes In Intensity
Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.
Numb is to frostbite as singed is to __________.
burn
oven
truth
skin
elevated
burn
"Frostbite" often causes the affected area to be "numb," in the way that a "burn" can cause an area to be "singed."
Example Question #433 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Answer the question by choosing the word that best completes the comparison.
Absolve is to forgive as blame is to __________.
plead
praise
condemn
flee
join
condemn
"Absolve" and "forgive" are both synonyms, just as "blame" and "condemn" mean the same thing.
Example Question #25 : Changes In Intensity
Select the word that best completes the comparison.
Evolve is to develop as stagnate is to __________.
flourish
strengthen
known
stall
hustle
stall
"Evolve" and "develop" are similar in meaning; therefore a synonym of "stagnate" is "stall."
Example Question #201 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity
Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the analogy.
Scandal is to rumor as commendation is to __________.
helpful
tale
praise
wrongdoing
reproach
praise
"Scandal" and "rumor" are synonyms, just as "commendation" and "praise" have similar meanings.
Example Question #202 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity
Soiled is to filthy as wet is to __________.
drizzle
drenched
typhoon
damp
moist
drenched
To be filthy is to be soiled to a great degree. Therefore, the notion that bridges these two terms is the idea of increase. One could say, “Just as something filthy is very soiled, so to something that is X is very wet.” Among the options provided, “drenched” best matches this usage, for it means completely soaked. Do not be tricked by “typhoon.” A typhoon is not an adjective describing wetness as is "drenched."
Example Question #203 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity
Infringement is to violation as expedition is to __________.
excursion
swashbuckling
backpacking
daredevil
ambling
excursion
The word “infringement” means literally an act of breaking upon something. It is derived from the Latin for to break, as is found in the English “fracture.” The more generally used meaning for the word is the act of breaking a law or agreement. Such an action is one of violation. The words are relatively synonymous. An "expedition" is a journey with some particular goal. The word “excursion” is a relatively synonymous option, as it means a trip, often connoting that it is for enjoyment. While this is not directly synonymous, it is the best option among those provided.
Example Question #1 : Specific Terminology
Dental is to teeth as renal is to __________.
auditory
kidney
gambling
mildew
eye
kidney
Things that are dental are related to teeth. The “dent-” portion of the word comes from the Latin for teeth. The word “renal” is used to describe something pertaining to the kidneys. It too is related to a Latin root, namely “renes,” which means “kidney.” When someone suffers “renal failure,” he or she is suffering from kidney failure. The analogy thus reads, “As ‘dental’ describes things related to the teeth, so does ‘renal’ describe things related to the kidneys.”
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