HSPT Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

MAGNANIMOUS

Possible Answers:

Incoherent

Colloquial

Malevolent

Benevolent

Submissive

Correct answer:

Benevolent

Explanation:

Someone who is “magnanimous” is generous and charitable, or "benevolent." As for the other answer choices, “malevolent” means wicked and unkind; “colloquial” means conversational or using language unique to a certain region; “incoherent” means unable to be understood; and “submissive” means listening to others and doing what they want without arguing.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

LAX

Possible Answers:

Negligent

Prolific

Remorseless

Tedious

Odious

Correct answer:

Negligent

Explanation:

“Lax” means negligentnot giving enough attention to something, or not taking something seriously enough, so "negligent" is the best synonym amongst the answer choices. As for the other answer choices, “odious” means unpleasant, revolting, or disgusting; “prolific” means able to produce a large quantity of something quickly; “tedious” means dull and boring; and “remorseless” means not feeling guilty about one's actions.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

"Verbose" most nearly means ____________.

Possible Answers:

loquacious

independent

silent

intelligent

intense

Correct answer:

loquacious

Explanation:

A "verbose" person uses more words than are necessary to describe something. Instead of saying, "The sunset was beautiful," a verbose description would include every color of the sunset and how the colors changed over time. "Loquacious" means talkative, which is the most similar in meaning to "verbose." All of the other answers are also personality traits, but do not have the same meaning as "verbose" and "loquacious." In fact, "silent" is the antonym of "verbose. 

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