HSPT Verbal : HSPT Verbal Skills

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #111 : Analogies

Macabre is to morbid as courteous is to __________.

Possible Answers:

affectionate

polite

gallant

joyful

brave

Correct answer:

polite

Explanation:

Something macabre is unsettling because of its dark correlation to matters pertaining to death. Such a thing could also be said to be “morbid,” which can mean “disturbingly related to or interested in things like death.” Thus, the analogy could be written, “As macabre things are characterized by being morbid, so is something courteous characterized by being X.” Someone who is courteous is well mannered and polite, the latter of which is an option among the answers.

Example Question #121 : Analogies

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Luminous is to bright as obscure is to __________.

Possible Answers:

lucid

deafening

elaborate

caustic

vague

Correct answer:

vague

Explanation:

"Luminous" and "bright" are a pair of synonyms, much like "obscure" means the same as "vague."

Example Question #121 : Analogies

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Stirring is to inspirational as organized is to __________.

Possible Answers:

garrulous

dissheveled

orderly

absurd

complaining

Correct answer:

orderly

Explanation:

"Stirring" and "inspirational" are similar, just as "organized" and "orderly" are synonyms.

Example Question #21 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Ecstatic is to elated as distraught is to __________.

Possible Answers:

troubled

hopeful

prompt

easygoing

blissful

Correct answer:

troubled

Explanation:

"Ecstatic" and "elated are synonyms, just as "distraught" and "troubled" mean the same thing.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Indifferent is to apathetic as attentive is to __________.

Possible Answers:

literature

bored

study

unaware

observant

Correct answer:

observant

Explanation:

"Indifferent" and "apathetic" are strong synonyms, just as "attentive" and "observant" are very similar.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Trustworthy is to upright as unsuspecting is to __________.

Possible Answers:

honest

obscure

savvy

wandering

gullible

Correct answer:

gullible

Explanation:

"Trustworthy" and "upright" mean basically the same thing; "unsuspecting" and "gullible" are also synonyms.

Example Question #24 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Destitute is to penniless as crass is to __________.

Possible Answers:

refined

vulgar

ancient

sophisticated

exhausted

Correct answer:

vulgar

Explanation:

"Destitute" and "penniless" both mean the same thing, just as "crass" and "vulgar" are strong synonyms.

Example Question #121 : Analogies

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Passive is to indifferent as cryptic is to __________.

Possible Answers:

concise

enigmatic

relaxed

languid

deceased

Correct answer:

enigmatic

Explanation:

"Passive" and "indifferent" are synonyms, just as "cryptic" and "enigmatic" mean roughly the same thing.

Example Question #26 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Fraudulent is to counterfeit as trustworthy is to __________.

Possible Answers:

truant

gullible

helpless

honorable

deceptive

Correct answer:

honorable

Explanation:

"Fraudulent" and "counterfeit" are strong synonyms, just as "trustworthy" and "honorable" are very similar.

Example Question #121 : Analogies

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Depressed is to gloomy as ecstatic is to __________.

Possible Answers:

dour

agitated

confused

upset

blissful

Correct answer:

blissful

Explanation:

"Depressed" and "gloomy" are both synonyms, just as "ecstatic" and "blissful" mean roughly the same thing.

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