HSPT Verbal : HSPT Verbal Skills
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal
All HSPT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #51 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRESAGE
Foreshadow
Adorable
Prodigious
Precocious
Wise
Foreshadow
When used as a verb, the word “presage” means to be a sign of a future event, often implying that this is a sign of warning. The word comes from the prefix “pre-”, meaning before, and the base “sage,” which does not merely mean wise, but to perceive keenly. Someone who is “sagacious” is wise precisely because that person keenly perceives reality. The word would be used in a sentence like, “In many cultures, the flying of a crow over a barn presaged a poor harvest in the coming year.”
Example Question #52 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DIFFUSE
Dissimilar
Variant
Scattered
Disagreeable
Irregular
Scattered
The word “diffuse” comes from roots that literally mean poured away from. The “di-” prefix means away from or down from, and the “-fuse” means to pour. This latter is found in words like “infuse” (meaning, literally, to pour into) and “effusive” (meaning pouring out, implying that someone “pours out” a great amount of something like praise). As a verb, the word “diffuse” means to scatter or to spread out, as when one diffuses a smell into a room or when an idea diffuses through an entire population. The word can likewise be used as an adjective, basically having the meaning of the past participle of the word, namely “scattered.”
Example Question #1 : Antonyms
Abet means the opposite of __________.
prevent
incite
condone
instigate
prevent
"Condone," "instigate," and "incite" are synonyms of "abet." "Abet" means to assist or aid in wrongdoing. "Prevent" means to stop something from being completed.
Example Question #1 : Antonyms
Affable is the opposite of __________.
unfriendly
amiable
courteous
genial
unfriendly
"Courteous," "amiable," and "genial" are all synonyms of affable. "Affable" means pleasantly easy to approach and to talk to.
"Unfriendly" means not friendly or kindly in disposition.
Example Question #3 : Antonyms
Adamant is the opposite of __________.
determined
insistant
flexible
resolute
flexible
"Insistent," "determined," and "resolute" are synonyms of adamant. "Adamant" means utterly unyielding in attitude of opinion.
"Flexible" means willing or disposed to yield.
Example Question #2 : Antonyms
Ameliorate is the opposite of __________.
mitigate
lighten
aggravate
alleviate
aggravate
"Alleviate," "lighten," and "mitigate" are synonyms of ameliorate. "Ameliorate" means to make or become better.
"Aggravate" means to make worse or more severe.
Example Question #3 : Antonyms
Cacophony is the opposite of __________.
harmony
noise
harshness
discord
harmony
"Noise," "discord," and "harshness" are synonyms of cacophony. "Cacophony" is a harsh discordance of sound.
"Harmony" is consistent, orderly, or pleasant arrangement of parts.
Example Question #6 : Antonyms
Candid is the opposite of __________.
biased
honest
forthright
impartial
biased
"Blunt," "impartial," and "forthright" are synonyms of candid. "Candid" means frank, outspoken, open, and sincere.
"Biased" means having or showing prejudice, or not being open.
Example Question #6 : Antonyms
Cogitate means the opposite of __________.
conceive
disregard
brainstorm
ponder
disregard
"Ponder," "conceive," and "brainstorm" are synonyms of cogitate. "Cogitate" means to think hard, ponder, or metitate about a problem.
"Disregard" means to pay no attention to something.
Example Question #4 : Antonyms
Innocuous means the opposite of __________.
injurious
banal
insipid
inoffensive
injurious
"Banal," "insipid," and "inoffensive" are synomyms of innocuous. "Innocuous" means unlikely to cause harm or injury, while "injurious" means harmful.
All HSPT Verbal Resources
