HSPT Verbal : Analogies

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Analogies

Childish is to puerile as facetious is to __________.

Possible Answers:

disrespectful

humorous

amusing

flippant

trite

Correct answer:

flippant

Explanation:

The word “puerile” is derived from the Latin for “boy.” The English word means “childish,” so this analogy is one of synonymy. When someone acts in a facetious manner, that person treats a serious manner in a way that is inappropriately flippant or light-hearted. Although facetious talk might be humorous, amusing, or even disrespectful, the best description is “flippant,” which is the correct answer for this analogy. 

Example Question #133 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Reliable is to dependable remorseful is to __________.

Possible Answers:

contrite

atonement

anger

penance

begging

Correct answer:

contrite

Explanation:

The first half of this analogy is comprised of two very common words. Merely note that they are basically synonyms, so it will be necessary to find a synonym for “remorseful” among the options provided. To feel remorse is to feel sorry for a wrong that one commits. Among the options provided, only “contrite” expresses this same kind of emotional reaction. “Contrition” is the state of such remorse.  While words like “penance” and “atonement” might seem proper, these do not describe the actual state of sorrow felt for the wrong actions.

Example Question #1 : Analogies: Prefixes From Latin

Fill is to permeate as satisfy is to __________.

Possible Answers:

gratify

please

enjoy

satiate

gorge

Correct answer:

satiate

Explanation:

The prefix "per-" comes from the Latin meaning thorough. We see this in words like "perfect" and "pervade." When something permeates something else (e.g. a smell in a room), it completely fills it. Thus, permeate is a kind of "complete filling." To be "satiated" is to be satisfied completely. This is a kind of "complete satisfaction."

Example Question #2 : Analogies: Prefixes From Latin

Juxtaposed is to location as instantaneous is to __________.

Possible Answers:

scheduling

position

answer

time

response

Correct answer:

time

Explanation:

The prefix "juxta-" comes from the Latin meaning close. When two things are juxtaposed, they are bordering on each other (like neighboring plots of land). Just as juxtaposition is a close placement with regard to location, so is being "instantaneous" a kind of being close with regard to time.

Example Question #3 : Analogies: Prefixes From Latin

Vexed is to calm as after is to __________.

Possible Answers:

distracted

ingenuous

anterior

posterior

crafty

Correct answer:

anterior

Explanation:

When someone is "vexed," he or she is annoyed. This is the opposite of being calm. Therefore, we are looking for a word that is an antonym for "after."  he prefix "ante-" comes from Latin and means before. It is found in words like "antechamber" and "antecede." Something that is "anterior" is before something else. This is the opposite of being "after."

Example Question #4 : Analogies: Prefixes From Latin

Malicious is to benevolent as extraneous is to __________.

Possible Answers:

tedious

relevant

wasteful

idiotic

questionable

Correct answer:

relevant

Explanation:

Someone who is malicious is not benevolent. Being benevolent means being "good-willed"—quite the opposite of someone with a malicious will, a bad will! Therefore, we are looking for something that is the opposite of "extraneous." The prefix "extra-" means outside of. Extraneous details are unimportant and irrelevant—as when someone tells you all about the recent weather when you ask him or her to give you an outline of the a class you missed. Therefore, extraneous details are not relevant.

Example Question #5 : Analogies: Prefixes From Latin

Defeat is to vanquish as finish is to __________.

Possible Answers:

conquer

submit

accept

fulfill

perfect

Correct answer:

perfect

Explanation:

To "vanquish" someone is to completely defeat him or her. Therefore, we are looking for a word that intensifies the meaning of "finish," giving the sense of being wholly finished. The prefix "per-" is from a Latin root meaning throughout, though it often means "thoroughly" or "completely." When something is perfected, it is completely made—it is totally finished.

Example Question #1 : Analogies: Prefixes From Anglo Saxon

Impress is to dazzle as decorate is to __________.

Possible Answers:

festive

blandish

bedeck

cover

inculcate

Correct answer:

bedeck

Explanation:

The word "bedeck" generally means decorate. However, the prefix "be-" can also function as an intensifier meaning thoroughly. To "bedeck" something is to decorate it thoroughly. To be "bedecked" is to be covered or decorated very completely. Just as something dazzling is very illuminated, so too is something bedecked "very decorated."

Example Question #1 : Analogies

Sweet is to cloying as good is to __________.

Possible Answers:

acceptable

horrible

enjoyable

facetious 

stellar

Correct answer:

stellar

Explanation:

When something is "cloying," it is excessively sweet. Therefore, our analogy is one of intensification. As something cloying is excessively sweet, so too is something "stellar" very goodexceedingly good. It comes from the Latin word for "star," as though the goodness of the thing in question were "as high as the stars."

Example Question #2 : Analogies

Contrary is to uncooperative as senile is to __________.

Possible Answers:

foolish

infirm

deathly

archaic

expiring

Correct answer:

infirm

Explanation:

The prefix "contra-" or "contr-" generally means against. "Contra dancing" is a kind of dancing in two lines that face each other, and "counterpoint" is a kind of music that has two musical lines that run "against" each other, weaving together melodies and harmonies. When someone is "contrary," he or she acts in a way that is always against other people's opinions. He or she generally is a troublesome personality and is thus someone who is uncooperative. Thus, we are looking for a descriptive word for "senile." While we often use this word to describe people who are losing their memories, the word can describe the more general condition of someone who is becoming aged. Someone who is senile is becoming infirm and weak with age. The word "senator" comes from a similar root, meaning old man.

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