All HSPT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #891 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
COAX
Persuade
Withdraw
Diminish
Buffet
Classify
Persuade
"Coax" means to convince or to "persuade." "Buffet" means to strike something, such as with a punch. "Classify" means to arrange into classes or groups usually based on similar or shared qualities. "Diminish" means to lessen or to decrease. "Withdraw" means to rescind, to remove, or to retreat.
Example Question #892 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
BEMOAN
Pollute
Dispute
Lament
Bewilder
Devastate
Lament
"Bemoan" means show sadness about something, so "lament," a word that when used as a verb means grieve or wail, is the correct answer. "Devastate" means destroy or wreck. "Bewilder" means confuse or baffle. "Dispute" means to debate or to argue. "Pollute" means to contaiminate or to poison.
Example Question #893 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ELUCIDATE
Construct
Strengthen
Undermine
Douse
Clarify
Clarify
"Elucidate" means to clarify; to strengthen is to make stronger; to undermine is to weaken; to douse is to drench; and to construct is to build.
Example Question #894 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FATHOM
Pelt
Understand
Satisfy
Bewilder
Irritate
Understand
"Fathom" means comprehend or understand, so "understand" is the correct answer. "Bewilder" is an antonym of "fathom"; it means confuse. "Satisfy" means meet a certain condition or meet the expectations of someone. "Pelt" means bombard or attack someone or something with projectiles. "Irritate" means bother or annoy.
Example Question #895 : Hspt Verbal Skills
"Baffle" most nearly means _____________.
bewilder
crystal
complete
determined
mythical
bewilder
As a verb, "baffle" means to confuse someone, or to be confused. An example is, "Walking through the maze, Diana was baffled about how to get out." If you're confused, you are "bewildered." Although "complete" is also a verb, it means to finish. None of the other words are verbs. "Determined" and "mythical" are adjectives. "Determined" means to have made a firm decision and "mythical" means having something to do with ancient myths or legends. "Crystal" is a noun and means a specific type of glass.
Example Question #896 : Hspt Verbal Skills
"Beguile" most nearly means __________.
intrude
invest
manipulate
destroy
disturb
manipulate
"Beguile" means to charm, sometimes in a deceptive way. For instance, "The little boy beguiled his grandmother into giving him a cookie when he told her she was a wonderful cook." When you "manipulate" someone, you convince him or her to do something by tricking him or her or using his or her emotions against him or her. For example, "Mandy manipulated Mark into taking her to the dance by telling him she already had a dress but no one to go with."
Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HEED
Hoard
Abhor
Hinder
Enliven
Obey
Obey
"Heed" can be used as both a noun and a verb. For example, as a noun: "He paid no heed to the warnings." As a verb, "He should heed the teacher's warning." The word closest in meaning to "heed" on this list is "obey."
"Hinder" means to create problems that result in delay.
"Hoard" means to stockpile. You might hoard all the chocolate in your house so that no one else can eat it.
"Abhor" means a deep revulsion. You might abhor the sight of blood.
"Enliven" means to make more lively.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location
Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.
CAREEN
threaten
loosen
assemble
hurtle
congregate
hurtle
"Careen" means to move quickly and uncontrolled in a particular direction, or hurtle through somewhere.
Example Question #1954 : Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DWINDLE
Diminish
Hang
Rotate
Tease
Foretell
Diminish
"Dwindle" means diminish gradually, so "diminish," which means decline or decrease, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "dwindle" and "diminish": "foretell" means predict or prognosticate; "hang" means dangle or suspend; "rotate" means spin or revolve; and "tease" means goad or mock.
Example Question #1955 : Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
CAPSIZE
Mature
Fulfill
Sink
Signify
Debate
Sink
"Capsize" means to overturn or to sink, and usually refers to ships. So, "sink" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "capsize": "fulfill" means to carry out or complete a task or an assignment; "debate" means to discuss or argue about an issue or topic; "signify" means to indicate; and "mature" means to grow up physically or mentally.
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