HSPT Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

"Infuriated" most nearly means __________.

Possible Answers:

angry

ecstatic

annoyed

ebullient

irate

Correct answer:

irate

Explanation:

When someone is "infuriated", he or she is extremely angry. The word "irate" comes from the Latin root meaning anger. It is related to the word "ire" (anger) and "irritated." Although its Latin roots mean merely "anger," in English, the word "irate" means greatly angered. Therefore, it is a better option than merely saying "angry."

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

"Ecstatic" most nearly means __________.

Possible Answers:

joyful

deranged

enraptured

insane

happy

Correct answer:

enraptured

Explanation:

The word "ecstatic" comes from the Latin root meaning to stand. We see this in words like "stationary" and even "static." A static signal on a radio is one that is merely sound that stays the same—not changing as does a real voice or other organized sound. The word "ecstatic" has the prefix "ex-" on the front of it (though it has become "ec-").  This means outside of or out—as in "exit." Someone who is ecstatic is so overjoyed that he or she is "outside of himself or herself." We sometimes say that such a person is "beside himself or herself." The word "enraptured" means something similar to this, and it is related to the word "capture"—as though someone were so overwhelmed by something (beauty, joy, etc.) as to be "captured" or "snatched up."

Example Question #75 : Synonyms

FORLORN

Possible Answers:

Informed

Miserable

Ecstatic

Arrogant

Significant

Correct answer:

Miserable

Explanation:

"Forlorn" means miserable or sad. "Ecstatic" is the antonym; it means extremely happy. "Arrogant" means conceited or full of oneself. "Informed" means having knowledge or information regarding a topic. "Significant" means important or noteworthy.

Example Question #74 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ABJECT

Possible Answers:

Ambiguous

Downtrodden

Audacious

Diffident

Laudable

Correct answer:

Downtrodden

Explanation:

"Abject" means downtrodden and hopeless, so "downtrodden" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, none are close in meaning to "abject": "ambiguous" means having more than one meaning; "audacious" means brazen or bold; "diffident" means hesitant or lacking in confidence; and "laudable" means admirable or praiseworthy.

Example Question #636 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

INCENSED

Possible Answers:

Serene

Furious

Youthful

Forgetful

Deliberate

Correct answer:

Furious

Explanation:

"Incensed" is an adjective that means "very angry; enraged," so we will need to pick out an adjective that means something like "very angry." "Serene" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "serene" is an adjective that means "calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil," making "serene" an antonym, not a synonym, of "incensed." "Furious," however, is an adjective that means "extremely angry" or "full of anger or energy; violent or intense," and because "furious" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "incensed," "furious" is the correct answer.

Example Question #415 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

AFFABLE

Possible Answers:

Mild

Miserable

Friendly

Surly

Hard-working

Correct answer:

Friendly

Explanation:

Someone who is affable is pleasant and friendly.  For instance, an affable friend is warm and kindhearted.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

MOROSE

Possible Answers:

Sulky

Lofty

Tepid

Timid

Macabre

Correct answer:

Sulky

Explanation:

“Morose” means in a bad mood and miserable, so "sulky" is the correct answer. “Lofty” means high-up or proud; “timid” means shy and quiet; “tepid” means lukewarm when describing temperature and unenthusiastic when describing responses; and "macabre" means morbid and grotesque.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

JOVIAL

Possible Answers:

Nuanced

Deft

Uncomfortable

Hollow

Cheerful

Correct answer:

Cheerful

Explanation:

“Jovial” means jolly, friendly and "cheerful." As for the other answer choices, “uncomfortable” means slightly painful or just removing or lacking all comfort; “hollow” means containing empty space on the inside; "nuanced" means full of subtle details; and “deft” means skillful.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors