HSPT Verbal : Analogies

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Subject And Object

Poll is to opinion as net is to __________.

Possible Answers:

seine

fish

sailor

meshwork

hunter

Correct answer:

fish

Explanation:

Although this analogy might seem a bit light-hearted, it does hold if you write a bridge sentence. Polls are used to gather opinions from a group of people. Among the uses that a net can have, it can gather things like fish. All of the other options are either synonyms for net or types of people who would use a net. Neither of these fit any sense that can be established between “poll” and “opinion;” therefore, as strange as it might seem, “fish” is the best option.

Example Question #2 : Subject And Object

Mentor is to tyro as master is to __________.

Possible Answers:

apprentice

untrained

maestro

liege

rule

Correct answer:

apprentice

Explanation:

A tyro is someone who is inexperienced or a novice in some subject.  Such a person would need to be mentored in order to gain adequate proficiency. Thus, the analogy could be written, “As a tyro learns from a mentor, so does X learn from a master.” Among the options provided, only “apprentice” fits this usage. An apprentice is someone who learns a trade from a master tradesman.

Example Question #331 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Inquisitor is to examining as recidivist is to __________.

Possible Answers:

cascading

reoffending

passing

retreating

falling

Correct answer:

reoffending

Explanation:

The word “inquire” means “to ask” or “to investigate.” It is related to other words for “asking” such as “query” and “question.” An “inquisitor” is someone who examines another party for some set of information. Thus, the analogy could be formulated, “As an inquisitor is known for examining, so is a recidivists known for X.” A recidivist is someone who has committed a crime and then commits it again (often frequently). The “-cid-” portion of the word comes from the Latin for “to fall” as in “accident.” A re-cidivist is someone who “falls again” into the same old faults. Such a person is likely known for “reoffending.”

Example Question #332 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Pedestrian is to walking as mariner is to __________.

Possible Answers:

sailing

sails

circumnavigate

seafarer

motor

Correct answer:

sailing

Explanation:

A pedestrian is someone who travels by walking. You likely use the word to describe people walking in a town in contrast to those who are using motor vehicles or bicycles. The word actually comes from the Latin for “foot” and is related to the similar sounding beginning of the word “podiatrist”—a doctor specializing in care of the foot. Thus the bridge sentence for our analogy could be written as, “Just as a pedestrian travels by walking, so a mariner travels by X.” A “mariner” is a sailor. The word is derived from the Latin for “sea” and is related to the English words “marine” and “submarine.” A sailor travels by sailing.

Example Question #333 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Deliberative is to discourse as polemical is to __________.

Possible Answers:

posted

inquiry

beams

argument

edification

Correct answer:

argument

Explanation:

A deliberative body gathers in order to discuss and consider possible options. The aspect of discussion is very important to the notion of “deliberation.” The word itself comes from the Latin for “to weigh,” and we often speak of “weighing the options,” meaning effectively that we are deliberating. Discourse is discussion on a topic. Thus, the analogy could be rewritten, “As a deliberative group joins for the sake of discourse, something that is polemical joins (or acts) for the sake of X.” Note that the analogy does need to have some reworking because “polemical” is not quite the same in character as “deliberative.” The word “polemical” means “related to controversial and critical writing or speech.”  Polemics are strong verbal / written attacks on positions / topics.  Thus, something that is polemical is done for the sake of argument.

Example Question #341 : Analogies

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Owe is to debt as reap is to __________.

Possible Answers:

bludgeon

borrow

skill

house

reward

Correct answer:

reward

Explanation:

One usually "owes" a "debt," just as one can also "reap" or collect a "reward."

Example Question #5 : Actor And Action

Answer the question by choosing the word that best completes the comparison.

Curmudgeon is to grumpy as idealist is to __________.

Possible Answers:

utopia

helpless

cranky

lonely

dreamy

Correct answer:

dreamy

Explanation:

A "curmudgeon" is often "grumpy," just as an "idealist" is often "dreamy."

Example Question #342 : Analogies

Select the word that best completes the comparison.

Genius is to brilliant as idiot is to __________.

Possible Answers:

intelligent

politician

moronic

sharp

professor

Correct answer:

moronic

Explanation:

A "genius" is "brilliant" while an "idiot" is "moronic."

Example Question #343 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Oration is to spoken as transcript is to __________.

Possible Answers:

connected

rendition

written

conversion

observation

Correct answer:

written

Explanation:

An oration is a speech, often one given at a ceremony. It comes both from the Latin for to pray as well as more distantly from the word for mouth. (Think of words like “oral” and “adore.”) Thus, an oration is a type of spoken communication. We could write a bridge sentence like, “As an oration is something that is spoken, so is a transcript something that is X.” A transcript is a written version of some communication. For instance, a transcript of a television show is the written version made for people to read after the show has aired.

Example Question #337 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Pedant is to tedious as transgressor is to __________.

Possible Answers:

unforgiving

sentenced

guilty

judged

forgiveness

Correct answer:

guilty

Explanation:

A pedant is a person who shows a great deal of learning to the point of being tedious and boring—going through every detail almost in a ridiculous fashion. Thus, “tedious” is an adequate description for a pedant. Someone who “transgresses” goes beyond the boundaries of the law. The “trans-” prefix means across (as in “transfer,” meaning, to carry across), and the “-gress” comes from the Latin for to step. It is related to many words like “grade,” “gradual,” “progress,” and “digress.” The options “judged” and “sentenced” might apply to a transgressor after a court case that acknowledges the guilt. In any case, a transgressor in general can be said to be guilty even before this is acknowledged in a court. This is the best description among those provided.

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