Verbal Classifications: Nouns - HSPT Language Skills

All of these words are a type of sport. This means we have to think about what makes each sport unique. In this case, "football" is the only sport on the list that does not use a round ball.

"Pizza" does not belong with the other words because it is not a kind of dessert. All four of the other words are eaten for dessert. ("Mousse" is a kind of creamy pudding.)

A "cello" is a stringed instrument, like a very large violin. You use one hand to press the strings and the other to use a bow on the strings. A "flute," "saxophone," "oboe," and "clarinet" are all wind instruments that you blow into with your mouth to produce a sound.

All five of these nouns are a type of sport. "Tennis," "soccer," "baseball," and "basketball" are all played with a type of ball. "Archery" uses a bow and arrow to shoot at targets, but does not use a ball.

A "calculator," "computer," "radio," and "cell phone" are all types of electronics. A "blackboard" is something people write on with chalk and is usually made of slate.

A "swing set," "monkey bars," "slide," and "teeter totter" are all forms of playground equipment. Although a "track" may be found near a playground at a school, it is not a type of equipment.

A "parish" is a geographical division of a church. It usually consists of one or more neighborhoods that are all served by the same minister or priest. A "temple," "chapel," "cathedral," and "synagogue" are all buildings where various religions worship.

"Shade," "shutters," "curtains," and "blinds" are all different types of coverings for windows. "Window" does not fit with this group of words because it is the object that is covered, not a covering.

"Canada" does not belong with the other words because it is a country, while of the other words are continents. There are seven continents: Asia, Africa, Australia, Antarctica, Europe, South America and North America. "Canada" is a country in North America. "Australia" is both a country and a continent.

All of these words are a type of plant. "Corn" is a grain. "Marigolds," "pansies," "daisies" and "roses" are types of flowers. "Corn" does not belong with the other words.

Although all of these words are types of drinks, "lemonade" does not fit with the rest for multiple reasons. First, all four other drinks are usually served hot and lemonade is usually served cold or lukewarm. Secondly, black tea, coffee, hot chocolate and espresso all contain caffeine and lemonade does not. Third, lemonade is usually yellow in color. Black tea, coffee, hot chocolate and espresso are usually dark brown or black in color.

"Base," "diamond," "mound," and "park" are all words associated with baseball. There are four bases that players run to that make the shape of a diamond. The pitcher stands on a mound, and games are played at a ballpark. When a batter hits a home run, they are said to have it the ball "out of the park." A pineapple does not have anything to do with baseball or even sports at all.

A spider belongs to the arachnid family. Whales, squirrels, horses and rabbits are all mammals.

A "calculator" is a machine that makes mathematical calculations. A watch, sundial, clock and hourglass are all instruments that can be used to measure time.

The group of similar words here all are synonyms for the general category of “abilities” that a person might have. An aptitude is a natural ability—think of the expression, “It is apt to do that.” This means “it will likely do that naturally.” A “knack” is an acquired skill. “To get the knack” of something is to come to be able to do it. The word “musician” is far too specific in comparison with these other words. Certainly, to be a musician is to have a certain skill and perhaps even to express an aptitude. Still, it is not at all synonymous with the general categories as is the case with the other options.

"Math", "history", and "literature" are all school subjects. A library can be found in most schools, but it is not an actual subject like the others.

Three of these answers refer to an actual illness. A headache is just a symptom, and not an actual illness.

"Bench", "couch", and "chair" are all pieces of furniture that you can sit on. You can sit on a ladder, but it is not designed for that purpose, nor is it a piece of furniture.

"Rain", "sleet", and "snow" all describe types of precipitation. "Wind" is a weather term, but it does not describe a form of water falling to the earth.

All 4 of these words would be "things that float". However, "barge", "raft", and "canoe" are all types of floating objects built by people that can also be piloted by people.