HSPT Verbal : Analogies

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #182 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Impotent is to efficacy as dithering is to __________.

Possible Answers:

mixture

resolution

distortion

painstaking

pacing

Correct answer:

resolution

Explanation:

A “potent” drug is one that is very strong. The “potent” root comes from the Latin for “able to do” or “powerful” as found in other English words like “potentate,” “potency,” and “potential.” Efficacy is the ability to produce a given result. (Think of it as meaning, “Able to produce a given effect”). Something that is impotent is lacking in efficacy. When someone dithers, he or she delays making a decision. Such a person could be said to lack “resolution,” which means “a firm resolve to do something.”

Example Question #183 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Discourteous is to politeness as nugatory is to __________.

Possible Answers:

chocolate

value

denial

meaningless

venality

Correct answer:

value

Explanation:

A discourteous person does not show courtesy or politeness. Thus, the analogy could be written as, “As someone who is discourteous is lacking in politeness, so is something nugatory lacking in X.” The word “nugatory” comes from the Latin for “trifles” or “small worthless things.” It is not the same as nougat, which is a tasty and nutty treat. Thus, something “nugatory” is merely trifling, that is lacking value.

Example Question #101 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Safe is to danger as wakeful is to __________.

Possible Answers:

pacing

sleep

lax

alertness

caffeinated

Correct answer:

sleep

Explanation:

Something that is safe lacks danger. Thus, this analogy could be rewritten, “As something safe lacks danger, so does a wakeful state lack X.” When someone is wakeful, he or she either does not need sleep or cannot do so. Likewise, the word can be used to describe a period of time as in “a wakeful night.” In the latter case, it means “a night passed without sleep.” The word “sleep” is the best option for that which is lacking in wakefulness.

Example Question #102 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Impregnable is to weakness as flaccid is to __________.

Possible Answers:

swinging

distinguished

firmness

lazy

flabby

Correct answer:

firmness

Explanation:

Something that is impregnable is unable to be broken or destroyed. For instance, an “impregnable fortress” is one believed to be completely safe and unable to be overcome. Such a thing lacks any weakness. Thus, the analogy could be written, “As something impregnable lacks weakness, something flaccid lacks X.” Something flaccid is soft, loose, or flabby. Such a thing lacks firmness.

Example Question #201 : Analogies

Deterrent is to discourage as revelation is to __________.

Possible Answers:

apocalyptic

appearance

vision

disclose

visible

Correct answer:

disclose

Explanation:

A deterrent is something that instills doubt regarding a possible course of action. For instance, one could say, “The thought of the cold weather was a deterrent against running outside, and Peter decided to stay inside with a warm cup of coffee instead.” Thus, the analogy could be rewritten as “A deterrent is meant to discourage as a revelation is meant to X.” Although the word “revelation” is often used in religious contexts, particularly Christian ones speaking of the “Book of Revelation” in the Bible, it means “the making known of something that had been secret.” (It is—unsurprisingly—related to “reveal”). A revelation is meant to disclose some previously unknown fact.

Example Question #104 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Intermittent is to irregularity as steadfast is to __________.

Possible Answers:

shaky

ponderous

boring

loyalty

regular

Correct answer:

loyalty

Explanation:

When something occurs “intermittently,” it happens in a way that is not regular. While a clock ticks regularly, the dripping of a faucet occurs intermittently without any pattern. Thus, the analogy could be written, “As something intermittent is characterized by irregularity, so is a steadfast person characterized by X.” When a person is steadfast, he or she is devoted in a faithful and unwavering manner. Such a person is characterized by loyalty, which is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #105 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Dishonest is to upright as studious is to __________.

Possible Answers:

disciplined

ignorant

scholarly

woeful

abundant

Correct answer:

ignorant

Explanation:

"Dishonest" and "upright" are strong antonyms; similarly an anotnym of "studious" is "ignorant."

Example Question #106 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Rigid is to flaccid as coarse is to __________.

Possible Answers:

rough

delicate

knowledgable

sandpaper

overwheliming

Correct answer:

delicate

Explanation:

"Rigid" and "flaccid" are total opposites, just as an antonym for "coarse" is "delicate."

Example Question #107 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Abundant is to scarce as gargantuan is to __________.

Possible Answers:

terrible

enlarged

astonishing

open-minded

miniscule

Correct answer:

miniscule

Explanation:

"Abundant" is the opposite of "scarce," as are "garngantuan" and "miniscule" antonyms.

Example Question #202 : Analogies

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Composed is to agitated as urgent is to __________.

Possible Answers:

emergency

senile

unimportant

broken

immediate

Correct answer:

unimportant

Explanation:

"Composed" and "agitated" are antonyms, as are "urgent" and "unimportant."

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