HSPT Verbal : HSPT Verbal Skills

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #44 : Logic

Thomas is braver than Henry. Thomas is more cowardly than Athanasius. Athanasius is braver than Henry. If the first two sentences are true, the third is __________.

Possible Answers:

true

uncertain

false

Correct answer:

true

Explanation:

Let’s use symbols from math to help us understand this.  “Greater than” (>) will mean “braver,” and “less than” (<) will mean “more cowardly (less brave).”

(1) Thomas is braver than Henry: Thomas > Henry

(2) Thomas is more cowardly than Athanasius: Thomas < Athanasius

Note, this could be rewritten: Athansius > Thomas

Thus, we could put together the two statements and get:

Athanasius > Thomas > Henry

Therefore, it is true to say that Athanasius is braver than Henry.

Example Question #11 : Determining Whether A Statement Is True, False, Or Uncertain

The tuba has a more beautiful tone than the trumpet. The flute has a less beautiful tone than the trumpet. The tuba has a less beautiful tone than the flute. If the first two sentences are true, the third is __________.

Possible Answers:

false

true

uncertain

Correct answer:

false

Explanation:

Let’s use symbols from math to help us understand this. “Greater than” (>) will mean “has a more beautiful tone,” and “less than” (<) will mean “has a less beautiful tone.”

(1) The tuba has a more beautiful tone than the trumpet: tuba > trumpet

(2) The flute has a less beautiful tone than the trumpet: flute < trumpet

This could be rewritten: trumpet > flute

Therefore, we could combine these to get:

tuba > trumpet > flute

Therefore, it is not true to say that the tuba has a less beautiful tone than the flute.

Example Question #12 : Determining Whether A Statement Is True, False, Or Uncertain

Oatmeal wakes Sara better than chocolate does. Peanut butter makes Sara drowsier than does chocolate. Oatmeal wakes Sara better than does peanut butter. If the first two sentences are true, the third is __________.

Possible Answers:

false

uncertain

true

Correct answer:

true

Explanation:

Let’s use symbols from math to help us understand this and treat "wakes" as the opposite of "makes drowsier (i.e. less awake)." “Greater than” (>) will mean “wakes,” and “less than” (<) will mean “makes drowsier.”

(1) Oatmeal wakes Sara better than chocolate does: oatmeal > chocolate

(2) Peanut butter makes Sara drowsier than does chocolate: peanut butter < chocolate

This could be rewritten: chocolate > peanut butter

Note that we could combine all of these into:

oatmeal > chocolate > peanut butter

Thus, oatmeal does indeed wake Sara better than peanut butter.

Example Question #13 : Determining Whether A Statement Is True, False, Or Uncertain

Scott is more beneficent than Michael. Michael is more miserly than Peter. Scott is more beneficent than Peter. If the first two sentences are true, the third is __________.

Possible Answers:

true

uncertain

false

Correct answer:

uncertain

Explanation:

Some vocabulary is necessary first. "Beneficient" means "giving or generous." (Think of "benefit," which is related to this word). To be "miserly" is to be "stingy," not wishing to give out money or gifts.

Now, let's use symbols from math to help us understand this.  “Greater than” (>) will mean “more beneficent,” and “less than” (<) will mean “more miserly (i.e. less beneficent).”

(1) Scott is more beneficent than Michael: Scott > Michael

Note that this could be rewritten: Michael < Scott

(2) Michael is more miserly than Peter: Michael < Peter

Therefore, all that we are being told is that Michael is less beneficent than both of the other men. There is no necessary relationship described about Scott and Peter.

Example Question #711 : Hspt Verbal Skills

John is more tedious than Robert. Robert is more exciting than Alan. Alan is more exciting than John. If the first two sentences are true, the third is __________.

Possible Answers:

uncertain

false

true

Correct answer:

uncertain

Explanation:

Note that when something is "tedious" it is boring, hence, less exciting than something else. Let’s use symbols from math to help us understand this problem. “Greater than” (>) will mean “more exciting,” and “less than” (<) will mean “more tedious (i.e. less exciting).”

(1) John is more tedious than Robert: John < Robert

Notice that this could be rewritten: Robert > John

(2) Robert is more exciting than Alan: Robert > Allen

Therefore, our information only tells us that Robert is more exciting than both John and Allen. It says nothing about the relationship between Allen and John.

Example Question #712 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Ibn Sina is more important than Ibn Rushd. Ibn Rushed is more trivial than Alfarabi. Alfarabi is more important than Ibn Sina. If the first two sentences are true, the third is __________.

Possible Answers:

true

uncertain

false

Correct answer:

uncertain

Explanation:

When something is trivial, it is unimportant. Therefore, let's use symbols from math to help us understand this. “Greater than” (>) will mean “more important,” and “less than” (<) will mean “less important (i.e. trivial).”

(1) Ibn Sina is more important than Ibn Rushd: Ibn Sina > Ibn Rushd

Notice that this could be rewritten: Ibn Rushd < Ibn Sina

(2) Ibn Rushed is more trivial than Alfarabi: Ibn Rushd < Alfarabi

Therefore, our data is telling us that Ibn Rushd is more trivial (or less important) than Alfarabi and Ibn Sina.  However, it does not provide us with any information regarding the relationship between Alfarabi and Ibn Sina.

Example Question #16 : Determining Whether A Statement Is True, False, Or Uncertain

Frank is poorer than Joseph. Pio is wealthier than Joseph. Frank is poorer than Pio. If the first two sentences are true, the third is __________.

Possible Answers:

uncertain

true

false

Correct answer:

true

Explanation:

Let’s use symbols from math to help us understand this. “Greater than” (>) will mean “is wealthier than,” and “less than” (<) will mean “is poorer than.”

(1) Frank is poorer than Joseph: Frank < Joseph

Notice that this could be rewritten: Joseph > Frank

(2) Pio is wealthier than Joseph: Pio > Joseph

Notice that we can combine all of these to get:

Pio > Joseph > Frank

Therefore, it is true that Frank is poorer than Pio.

Example Question #713 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Hops are more bitter than cocoa. Honey is sweeter than cocoa. Honey is sweeter than hops. If the first two sentences are true, the third is __________.

Possible Answers:

true

false

uncertain

Correct answer:

true

Explanation:

For this problem, let us assume (as is generally safe) that bitter and sweet flavors are opposed to each other.  Now, let's use symbols from math to help us understand this. “Greater than” (>) will mean “is sweeter,” and “less than” (<) will mean “is more bitter (i.e. less sweet).”

(1) Hops are more bitter than cocoa: hops < cocoa

Note that this could be rewritten: cocoa > hops

(2) Honey is sweeter than cocoa: honey > cocoa

Now, we could combine these and get:

honey > cocoa > hops

Therefore, it is really the case that honey is sweeter than hops.

Example Question #714 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Helga is uglier than Olga but prettier than Ilga. Olga is prettier than Gretel. Ilga is uglier than Gretel. If the first two statements are true, the third is __________.

Possible Answers:

false

true

uncertain

Correct answer:

uncertain

Explanation:

Let’s use symbols from math to help us understand this. “Greater than” (>) will mean “is uglier than,” and “less than” (<) will mean “is prettier than (is less ugly than).”

(1) Helga is uglier than Olga but prettier than Ilga: Ilga> Helga > Olga

(2) Olga is prettier than Gretel: Olga < Gretel or Gretel > Olga

Now, Ilga and Gretel share the distinction of being uglier than Olga; however, we cannot say which is uglier than the other.

Example Question #715 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Crackers are drier than bread, which is drier than butter. Butter is drier than oil but moister than potatoes. Potatoes are drier than crackers. If the first two statements are true, the third is __________.

Possible Answers:

false

uncertain

true

Correct answer:

uncertain

Explanation:

Let’s use symbols from math to help us understand this. “Greater than” (>) will mean “is drier than,” and “less than” (<) will mean “is less dry (moister) than.”

(1) Crackers are drier than bread, which is drier than butter: crackers > bread > butter

(2) Butter is drier than oil but moister than potatoes: potatoes > butter > oil

Now, you can think of this as saying that certainly potatoes are drier than butter; however, this only tells us that potatoes could be (1) drier than crackers, (2) moister than crackers and drier than bread, or (3) moister than bread but drier than butter.

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