HSPT Verbal : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, and Understanding

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

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

FATHOM

Possible Answers:

Irritate

Pelt

Bewilder

Satisfy

Understand

Correct answer:

Understand

Explanation:

"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 #12 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

"Baffle" most nearly means _____________.

Possible Answers:

bewilder

complete

determined

crystal

mythical

Correct answer:

bewilder

Explanation:

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 #13 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

"Beguile" most nearly means __________.

Possible Answers:

manipulate

invest

intrude

disturb

destroy

Correct answer:

manipulate

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Hoard

Abhor

Hinder

Enliven

Obey

Correct answer:

Obey

Explanation:

"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.

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