All HSPT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Part And Part
Tassel is to cord as valediction is to __________.
indication
conversation
salutation
dismissal
signal
conversation
A tassel is placed at the end of a cord, generally as an ornament. (It is the little “stringy tuft” at the end of such cords). A “valediction” is a statement of farewell. The “valedictorian” of a class is so named because he is the one who says “farewell” on behalf of the class. (Also, he speaks after the salutatorian, who is the one who greets the class. The word “salutatorian” comes from words in Latin used to greet someone). Thus, among the options provided, the only proper case is “conversation,” for a “valediction” comes at the end of a conversation as a tassel comes at the end of a cord.
Example Question #2 : Part And Part
Novice is to beginning as terminal is to __________.
end
progression
airport
intermittent
travel
end
A novice is a person who is inexperienced or new to a given field of study or work. Thus, such a person is at the beginning of his or her work in that area. A “terminal” is something that is at the end of a structure or process. A terminal does necessarily occur only at the “finish line” (so to speak), as both ends of a (e.g.) stick can be considered its “terminal points.” Still, just as a novice is metaphorically at the beginning of his or her work, so is a terminal point (physically or metaphorically) at an end of a process or physical being. Since no other option captures this sense of “location” (whether physically or metaphorically), “end” is the best option for this analogy.
Example Question #3 : Part And Part
Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the comparison.
Seven is to septagon as nine is to __________.
nonagon
triangle
octagon
geometry
ten
nonagon
A "septagon" has "seven" sides, just as a "nonagon" has "nine" sides.
Example Question #4 : Part And Part
Complete this analogy.
Pulmonary is to lungs as cardiac is to __________.
tongue
circulation
heart
kidney
pump
heart
The word “pulmonary” comes from the Latin word for the lungs. It is used to in English to describe physical conditions related to these organs, as when someone has pulmonary embolism, which is a type of blockage of blood to the lung. Just as “pulmonary” describes the lungs, “cardiac” describes conditions related to the heart.
Example Question #5 : Part And Part
Answer the question by choosing the word that best completes the comparison.
Primary is to first as tertiary is to __________.
numbers
planet
third
second
one
third
"Primary" and "first" are synonyms, just as "tertiary" and "third" mean the same thing.
Example Question #6 : Part And Part
Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the analogy.
Guitar is to lute as clarinet is to __________.
popular
banjo
piano
symphony
oboe
oboe
A "guitar" and a "lute" are both stringed instruments, just as a "clarinet" and an "oboe" are both woodwind instruments.
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