HSPT Verbal : Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #71 : Synonyms

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

MARGINAL

Possible Answers:

Frequent

Monumental

Sharp

Negligible

Crucial

Correct answer:

Negligible

Explanation:

"Marginal" is an adjective that can besides meaning "of, relating to, or situated at the edge or margin of something," can also mean " of secondary or minor importance; not central." So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "of minor importance." Neither "crucial" nor "monumental" can be the correct answer, then, because each word is an antonym of "marginal," not a synonym. "Negligible," however, is an adjective that means "so small or unimportant as to be not worth considering; insignificant," and because it is the answer choir that is closest in meaning to "marginal," "negligible" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Complexity, Power, And Importance

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

INNOCUOUS

Possible Answers:

Vaccine

Invariably

Indicate

Harmless

Conglomerate

Correct answer:

Harmless

Explanation:

"Innocuous" is an adjective meaning innocent and harmless. For example: "The innocuous bull snake is often mistaken for the deadly rattlesnake."

"Invariably" is an adverb meaning always.

"Conglomerate" is a noun meaning distinct items that can be put together make a whole with distinct parts. A space station might be an example of a conglomerate.

"Vaccine" is a noun meaning a substance that makes the antibodies which inoculates a person against disease.

"Indicate" is a verb which means to point out or to show.

"Harmless" is an adjective which means innocent and inoffensive. Harmless has the most similar meaning to "innocuous."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

"Infuriated" most nearly means __________.

Possible Answers:

angry

ebullient

ecstatic

irate

annoyed

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

enraptured

happy

insane

deranged

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 #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

FORLORN

Possible Answers:

Miserable

Ecstatic

Significant

Informed

Arrogant

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 #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

ABJECT

Possible Answers:

Laudable

Downtrodden

Audacious

Ambiguous

Diffident

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 #72 : Synonyms

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

INCENSED

Possible Answers:

Furious

Forgetful

Serene

Deliberate

Youthful

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 #73 : Synonyms

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

AFFABLE

Possible Answers:

Hard-working

Friendly

Surly

Mild

Miserable

Correct answer:

Friendly

Explanation:

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

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

MOROSE

Possible Answers:

Sulky

Timid

Macabre

Tepid

Lofty

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 #8 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

JOVIAL

Possible Answers:

Hollow

Nuanced

Cheerful

Uncomfortable

Deft

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.

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