Verbal Classifications: Multiple or Other Parts of Speech

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HSPT Language Skills › Verbal Classifications: Multiple or Other Parts of Speech

Questions 1 - 10
1

Which word does not belong with the others?

bad

vile

sociopathy

depravity

turpitude

Explanation

Note that all of these words pertain to being bad or unacceptable in some way; however, the wrong options all indicate being bad in some very strong way. “Turpitude” is depravity or wickedness. To be “depraved” is to be greatly perverse or wicked. A sociopath is someone who has such bad morals that he or she cannot even function in society. Something “vile” is very disgusting, and, when applied to moral matters, very bad or wicked. In comparison with all of these, “bad” is much weaker.

2

Which word does not belong with the others?

tentative

inflexible

unwavering

resolute

determination

Explanation

The related words must be seen as sharing the general notion of “being certain and determined.” This shared meaning becomes very obvious when you realize that tentative is different from the others, even if they themselves differ in degrees. The word “tentative” means “not certain or temporary.” Sometimes, when we are asked a question, we must provide a “provisional answer,” meaning an answer that is temporary—a first hunch, though requiring follow-up thought and research. All of the other words indicate some kind of certainty. A resolution is a decision to do something, usually made with firm conviction. A “resolute attitude” is one that is so resolved to do a given resolution. An “unwavering devotion” to something is a devotion that does not stray (waver) from the metaphorical “path” of that devotion. If you are inflexible, you will not change from your choices. Perhaps this is a bad attitude, but for this question, it merely matters that we see the fact that it is quite different from “tentative.”

3

Which word does not belong with the others?

behavior

ushering

guide

lead

conduct

Explanation

All of the related words for this question pertain to leading or guiding. Likely the most troublesome word in this group is “conduct”—if you read it as being “somebody’s manner of acting;” however, remember that “conduct” can also mean “to lead” (as in a “conductor” who directs a train on its way or an orchestral conductor who leads an orchestra). Only “behavior” does not fit this group, for it is far too broad and does not signify leading in any explicit manner.

4

Which word does not belong with the others?

fly

car

plane

train

Explanation

"Car", "plane", and "train" all describe different modes of transportation. "Fly" describes a method of transportation, and would belong with "drive" or "run" or "walk".

5

Which word does not belong with the others?

nihilism

meaningful

believing

hopeful

faithful

Explanation

All of the related words assert some sort of belief that there is meaning (or at least hope thereof). "Nihilism" generally means the state of believing that there is no meaning in the world or life. In comparison with this, being faithful or believing is quite different—for faith and belief of any type imply that some meaning is anticipated. Also, to be hopeful is to look for something to come about—which likewise signifies some hope of meaning. Certainly, meaningful is quite different than believing that there is no meaning at all.

6

Which word does not belong with the others?

novel

vogue

trendy

whim

fad

Explanation

Each of the related words here indicates something akin to a fad—a trend, style, or idea that is currently popular, though perhaps just for this moment. Such things come and go rather fluidly, as do whims. (To do something “on a whim” is to do so in response to a sudden change of opinion but not with any deep convictions). To be “in the vogue” is to be “fashionable right now.” Such things likely will be relegated to the time period of their popularity. When something is “novel,” however, it is merely being described as being new. While such a thing could perhaps be a mere fad, the word “novel” merely designates that the things is new and heretofore unheard of.

7

Which word does not belong with the others?

pungent

hue

color

tone

shade

Explanation

Each of the similar words here pertain to color or vision. The only word in this group that might cause confusion is “tone,” which could be interpreted in the auditory sense (“the tone of an instrument or a voice”) or as the general description of character (“the tone of the article; the tone of the discussion”). Still, there is a visual sense in which tone indicates the brightness of the color. While this world could be the one that does not match the others, the word “pungent” is completely outside the group of “visual” words, as it means a strong odor or taste. (Likely you have heard the expression, “A pungent aroma”).

8

Which word does not belong with the others?

conventional

quirk

singularity

oddity

idiosyncracy

Explanation

The related set of words all pertain to some character trait that is identifying or at least rather unique. An idiosyncrasy is a character trait that is only had by a single person. If someone has a particular way clicking his or her tongue while talking, that could be called an idiosyncrasy. An oddity is something that is out of the ordinary—an odd person “just doesn’t fit in.” A quirk is an odd type of behavior or occurrence. Only “conventional” indicates something that is “normal” or generally known or accepted. A “societal convention” is a normal pattern of behavior that is found in some society as a whole.

9

Which word does not belong with the others?

comprehensive

consciousness

awareness

perceive

know

Explanation

The four related words all indicate the state of being aware of something, though none of them indicate anything more than the awareness itself (or at least do not indicate deep awareness). The word “comprehensive” means complete and thorough, and thus does not allign with the meaning of the four related words.

10

Which word does not belong with the others?

different

opposite

antithesis

contrary

inverse

Explanation

First, observe that all of these words pertain to being different in some manner. Still, there is a distinction between being “opposite” and being merely “different.” Two things can differ by a mere degree—as bright green differs from a hue of green that is slightly less bright. Two such things would definitely not be opposite each other (at least in any meaningful manner of speaking). The other related words all express the same sense of opposition. Two “antithetical” things are completely opposed. You might say something like, “Paul was the utter antithesis of Sally. While she was extremely disciplined and rigid, he was lax and quite slovenly.” Two “contrary” things are opposed. To say, “On the contrary” is synonymous with saying, “In opposition to the previous point.” Finally, two “inversed” things are opposed.

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