Antonyms

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HSPT Language Skills › Antonyms

Questions 1 - 10
1

An antonym of "plodding" is __________.

expeditious

varying

moping

mistaken

joyous

Explanation

When someone "plods along," he or she moves at a slow speed, often as though he or she has a heavy burden on his or her back. Do not be tempted to pick an answer like "joyous." Just because someone is plodding, he or she does not necessarily do this because of being depressed or sad. The best antonym is "expeditious," meaning done quickly and efficiently. To "expedite" a process is to make it happen more quickly.

2

An antonym of "briskly" is __________.

leisurely

quickly

regularly

fastidiously

mistakenly

Explanation

The word "brisk" can refer to cool weather, but it can also be used as an adjective describing fast movement. The adverb "briskly" means quickly or with energy. A brisk motion is one that is fast, and walking briskly means walking quickly with haste. In contrast to this, a leisurely pace is one that is slow—taking its time. Leisure is the free time used for enjoyable activities. Such time is not usually stressful. Therefore, "leisurely" activities are quite slow in their pace.

3

Potable is to contaminant as healthy is to __________.

disease

sanguine

intravenous

salacious

salubrious

Explanation

The word “potable” comes from the Latin word for “to drink” or “drinkable.” This latter sense still is retained in the English, as the word “potable” means either “drinkable” or “safe to drink.” When liquid is potable, it is free of any contamination. Thus, the analogy could be written, “As potable water lacks contaminants, so does something that is healthy lack X.” Among the options provided, only “disease” fits the needed sense of that which is lacking in someone who is healthy.

4

Deny is to affirm as accept is to __________.

reject

acquisition

positive

declare

announce

Explanation

Clearly the words deny and affirm are opposites. When we deny an accusation, we refuse to admit that it is true at all. In contrast, an affirmation is a statement that something is indeed the case. Thus, the analogy is one of antonyms. The opposite of “accept” is “reject.” Though a rather simple answer, it is still the best option.

5

An antonym of "plodding" is __________.

expeditious

varying

moping

mistaken

joyous

Explanation

When someone "plods along," he or she moves at a slow speed, often as though he or she has a heavy burden on his or her back. Do not be tempted to pick an answer like "joyous." Just because someone is plodding, he or she does not necessarily do this because of being depressed or sad. The best antonym is "expeditious," meaning done quickly and efficiently. To "expedite" a process is to make it happen more quickly.

6

An antonym of "briskly" is __________.

leisurely

quickly

regularly

fastidiously

mistakenly

Explanation

The word "brisk" can refer to cool weather, but it can also be used as an adjective describing fast movement. The adverb "briskly" means quickly or with energy. A brisk motion is one that is fast, and walking briskly means walking quickly with haste. In contrast to this, a leisurely pace is one that is slow—taking its time. Leisure is the free time used for enjoyable activities. Such time is not usually stressful. Therefore, "leisurely" activities are quite slow in their pace.

7

An antonym of "ruffled" is __________.

placid

vexed

negative

unsoiled

unpolluted

Explanation

When something is "ruffled", it is literally taken out of order or arrangement. We often speak of "ruffling" someone's hair or some other semi-arranged set of items. As an emotional state, "ruffled" means disturbed or not calm. In contrast to this, the term "placid" means calm with little disturbance or change.

8

An antonym of "plodding" is __________.

expeditious

varying

moping

mistaken

joyous

Explanation

When someone "plods along," he or she moves at a slow speed, often as though he or she has a heavy burden on his or her back. Do not be tempted to pick an answer like "joyous." Just because someone is plodding, he or she does not necessarily do this because of being depressed or sad. The best antonym is "expeditious," meaning done quickly and efficiently. To "expedite" a process is to make it happen more quickly.

9

An antonym of "ruffled" is __________.

placid

vexed

negative

unsoiled

unpolluted

Explanation

When something is "ruffled", it is literally taken out of order or arrangement. We often speak of "ruffling" someone's hair or some other semi-arranged set of items. As an emotional state, "ruffled" means disturbed or not calm. In contrast to this, the term "placid" means calm with little disturbance or change.

10

Answer the question by selecting the word that best completes the analogy.

Bitter is to sweet as pungent is to __________.

mild

spicy

acrid

acidic

harsh

Explanation

"Bitter" and "sweet" are antonyms, just as "pungent" and "mild" have opposite meanings.

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