All HSPT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Analogies
Childish is to puerile as facetious is to __________.
disrespectful
humorous
amusing
flippant
trite
flippant
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 __________.
contrite
atonement
anger
penance
begging
contrite
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 __________.
gratify
please
enjoy
satiate
gorge
satiate
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 __________.
scheduling
position
answer
time
response
time
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 __________.
distracted
ingenuous
anterior
posterior
crafty
anterior
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 __________.
tedious
relevant
wasteful
idiotic
questionable
relevant
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 __________.
conquer
submit
accept
fulfill
perfect
perfect
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 __________.
festive
blandish
bedeck
cover
inculcate
bedeck
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 __________.
acceptable
horrible
enjoyable
facetious
stellar
stellar
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 good—exceedingly 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 __________.
foolish
infirm
deathly
archaic
expiring
infirm
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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