All HSPT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
"Infuriated" most nearly means __________.
ebullient
ecstatic
angry
irate
annoyed
irate
When someone is "infuriated", he or she is extremely angry. The word "irate" comes from the Latin root meaning anger. It is related to the word "ire" (anger) and "irritated." Although its Latin roots mean merely "anger," in English, the word "irate" means greatly angered. Therefore, it is a better option than merely saying "angry."
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
"Ecstatic" most nearly means __________.
insane
happy
enraptured
deranged
joyful
enraptured
The word "ecstatic" comes from the Latin root meaning to stand. We see this in words like "stationary" and even "static." A static signal on a radio is one that is merely sound that stays the same—not changing as does a real voice or other organized sound. The word "ecstatic" has the prefix "ex-" on the front of it (though it has become "ec-"). This means outside of or out—as in "exit." Someone who is ecstatic is so overjoyed that he or she is "outside of himself or herself." We sometimes say that such a person is "beside himself or herself." The word "enraptured" means something similar to this, and it is related to the word "capture"—as though someone were so overwhelmed by something (beauty, joy, etc.) as to be "captured" or "snatched up."
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
FORLORN
Significant
Ecstatic
Arrogant
Miserable
Informed
Miserable
"Forlorn" means miserable or sad. "Ecstatic" is the antonym; it means extremely happy. "Arrogant" means conceited or full of oneself. "Informed" means having knowledge or information regarding a topic. "Significant" means important or noteworthy.
Example Question #34 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ABJECT
Downtrodden
Audacious
Diffident
Laudable
Ambiguous
Downtrodden
"Abject" means downtrodden and hopeless, so "downtrodden" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, none are close in meaning to "abject": "ambiguous" means having more than one meaning; "audacious" means brazen or bold; "diffident" means hesitant or lacking in confidence; and "laudable" means admirable or praiseworthy.
Example Question #35 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INCENSED
Youthful
Furious
Serene
Forgetful
Deliberate
Furious
"Incensed" is an adjective that means "very angry; enraged," so we will need to pick out an adjective that means something like "very angry." "Serene" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "serene" is an adjective that means "calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil," making "serene" an antonym, not a synonym, of "incensed." "Furious," however, is an adjective that means "extremely angry" or "full of anger or energy; violent or intense," and because "furious" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "incensed," "furious" is the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AFFABLE
Mild
Surly
Hard-working
Friendly
Miserable
Friendly
Someone who is affable is pleasant and friendly. For instance, an affable friend is warm and kindhearted.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MOROSE
Sulky
Macabre
Timid
Tepid
Lofty
Sulky
“Morose” means in a bad mood and miserable, so "sulky" is the correct answer. “Lofty” means high-up or proud; “timid” means shy and quiet; “tepid” means lukewarm when describing temperature and unenthusiastic when describing responses; and "macabre" means morbid and grotesque.
Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
JOVIAL
Uncomfortable
Deft
Hollow
Cheerful
Nuanced
Cheerful
“Jovial” means jolly, friendly and "cheerful." As for the other answer choices, “uncomfortable” means slightly painful or just removing or lacking all comfort; “hollow” means containing empty space on the inside; "nuanced" means full of subtle details; and “deft” means skillful.