All HSPT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #21 : Verbal Classifications
Which word does not belong with the others?
mingling
conflation
division
fusion
mixture
division
In contrast to the word “division,” the four other options all pertain to some kind of combination or mingling of things together. When we “conflate” two things (for example, two ideas), we mix them together, forgetting that they really were separate matters. To fuse two items is to join them together into a new single item. Of course, “mixture” and “mingling” mean such gatherings of multiple things into one thing—all contrasting with “division.”
Example Question #22 : Verbal Classifications: Nouns
Which word does not belong with the others?
pulse
cadence
timbre
rhythm
tempo
timbre
Although all of these words have something to do with music and sound, do not be fooled by this general similarity. Note that all of the wrong answers have to do with the “beats” in music. “Cadence” is admittedly an exception, for it can indicate a change in pitch, usually one that gives evidence to a rhythm in speech; however, it can mean merely “rhythm.” In the case of “timbre,” there is no link to rhythm. Instead, the timbre of an instrument (or a voice) is the distinctive quality of its sound as distinct from it pitch. Timbre thus pertains to sound quality alone, not its beat structure.
Example Question #21 : Verbal Classifications
Which word does not belong with the others?
sum
whole
aggregate
fragment
total
fragment
Note that only the word “fragment” deals with a part of a whole. To “fracture” something is to break it. A fragment is the part that is perhaps so broken off from a whole. In contrast, the “total,” “whole,” or “sum” indicates a complete thing, not merely some part that might make up that whole. The one word that is perhaps difficult is “aggregate.” It means “a combined whole.” The base “-greg-” comes from the Latin word for “flock” (as in “flock of sheep”). To “aggregate” is to gather a group of things into a “flock.” Often we will talk about “aggregate figures,” as in economics when we talk about the “summed up” figures and facts of the economic situation at a given time.
Example Question #22 : Verbal Classifications
Which word does not belong with the others?
kitchen
sofa
armoire
chair
table
kitchen
"Chair," "table," and "armoire" are all types of furniture, while "kitchen" is a type of room.
Example Question #23 : Verbal Classifications
Which word does not belong with the others?
log
heat
cinder
blaze
ember
log
Each of the words that are alike in this group pertain to fire in some way. Certainly “heat” and “blaze” are obvious in this regard. An “ember” is a hot coal or piece of wood left in the bottom of a dying fire—the little glowing red chips at the end of the long process of burning. A "cinder" is perhaps the most distantly related to fire, as it is a piece of burned material that still has some burnable matter in it. Still, note that the word is related to fire in a direct way. This is not a secondary meaning of “cinder” but, instead, its primary meaning. The word “log” has many meanings that are not at all related to fire—thankfully so, as many log cabins would be ablaze if logs had to be used in fire!
Example Question #24 : Verbal Classifications
Which word does not belong with the others?
discussion
questionnaire
dialogue
debate
dispute
questionnaire
All of the related words pertain to some kind of exchange between two parties—whether in an agreeable fashion or in disagreement. While debates and (particularly) disputes can be contentious and argumentative, they are still a type of active exchange between parties. A “questionnaire” is really a passive type of data interchange. Certainly, someone writes a questionnaire and gives it to the people who will answer it; however, there is no “back and forth” when someone receives a questionnaire (as there is in the case of all of our related words).
Example Question #27 : Verbal Classifications
Which word does not belong with the others?
raspberry
petunia
pansy
daffodil
geranium
raspberry
A "raspberry" is a type of fruit. A "geranium," "daffodil," "petunia," and "pansy" are all types of flowers.
Example Question #27 : Verbal Classifications: Nouns
Which word does not belong with the others?
beetle
spider
ant
fly
butterfly
spider
A spider, while sometimes commonly thought of as an insect, is really very different. A spider has two body parts and, usually, eight legs. Additionally, spiders will not have wings or antennae. Flies, ants, beetles and butterflies all types of insects. Insects have three body parts, six legs, antennae, and sometimes wings. Also, spiders do not fly and all the other answer choices do.
Example Question #25 : Verbal Classifications
Which word does not belong with the others?
canteen
straw
vase
mug
glass
straw
A "mug," "vase," "canteen," and "glass" can all be used to hold liquid. A "straw," while used to transfer liquid from one place to another, is not a vessel designed to hold liquid.
Example Question #29 : Verbal Classifications: Nouns
Which word does not belong with the others?
saxophone
cello
clarinet
oboe
flute
cello
A "cello" is a stringed instrument, like a very large violin. You use one hand to press the strings and the other to use a bow on the strings. A "flute," "saxophone," "oboe," and "clarinet" are all wind instruments that you blow into with your mouth to produce a sound.