HAST Higher Ability Selection Test — Questions and Answers

Question 1: If a shape has four equal sides and four right angles, it is a square. Shape X has four equal sides but no right angles. What is Shape X?

A trapezoid
A square
A rectangle
A rhombus (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A rhombus

A rhombus has four equal sides but does not require right angles, fitting the description of Shape X.

Question 2: Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

The rain fell; all day; the game was cancelled.
The rain; fell all day, the game was cancelled.
The rain fell all day; the game was cancelled. (Correct answer)
The rain fell all day, the game; was cancelled.

Correct answer: The rain fell all day; the game was cancelled.

A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning.

Question 3: In a matrix, top-left = 2 dots, top-right = 4 dots, bottom-left = 6 dots. Following the pattern, how many dots are in the bottom-right?

8 (Correct answer)
12
6
10

Correct answer: 8

The dots increase by 2 reading left-to-right, top-to-bottom, so bottom-right = 6 + 2 = 8.

Question 4: A recipe uses 2 cups of flour for 12 cookies. How many cups are needed for 30 cookies?

6 cups
3.5 cups
5 cups (Correct answer)
4 cups

Correct answer: 5 cups

Cups per cookie = 2 ÷ 12 = 1/6; 30 × 1/6 = 5 cups.

Question 5: A text says: 'The factory was silent as a grave.' What effect does this simile create?

It shows the workers are resting
It compares the factory to a cemetery
It suggests the factory is productive
It emphasizes an eerie, lifeless atmosphere (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It emphasizes an eerie, lifeless atmosphere

Comparing the factory's silence to a grave evokes a sense of desolation and lifelessness, creating an eerie mood.

Question 6: A car's value depreciates by 10% each year. If the car's initial value is $20,000, what will its value be after one year?

$20,000
$21,000
$18,000 (Correct answer)
$19,000

Correct answer: $18,000

To calculate the car's value after one year, first determine the amount of depreciation. A 10% depreciation on an initial value of $20,000 is $2,000 (0.10 * $20,000). Subtracting this depreciation from the initial value ($20,000 - $2,000) results in a car value of $18,000 after one year.

Question 7: Which best describes the purpose of a thesis statement in an essay?

It states the central argument the essay will support. (Correct answer)
It lists the topics of each body paragraph.
It introduces background information.
It summarizes all the evidence in the essay.

Correct answer: It states the central argument the essay will support.

A thesis statement presents the writer's central claim or argument that the rest of the essay will develop and support.

Question 8: A number is doubled and then 7 is subtracted, giving 21. What is the original number?

28
10
7
14 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 14

Let n = original number; 2n − 7 = 21 → 2n = 28 → n = 14.

Question 9: A pattern alternates: large dark circle, small light circle, large dark circle, small light circle. What is the 7th figure?

Small dark circle
Large light circle
Small light circle
Large dark circle (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Large dark circle

The pattern repeats every 2 figures; odd-numbered positions are always large dark circles.

Question 10: A 2D net is folded into a triangular prism. How many faces does a triangular prism have?

6
3
4
5 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 5

A triangular prism has 2 triangular bases and 3 rectangular sides, totaling 5 faces.

Question 11: A fold-and-cut problem: a square paper is folded in half vertically and a hole is punched in the center. When unfolded, how many holes appear?

2 (Correct answer)
1
3
4

Correct answer: 2

Folding vertically and punching once creates a mirror-image hole on each half of the paper, resulting in 2 holes when unfolded.

Question 12: A store increases a price by 20% and then decreases it by 20%. Is the final price higher, lower, or the same as the original?

Higher than original
Cannot be determined
Same as original
Lower than original (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Lower than original

Increasing then decreasing by 20% gives 1.2 × 0.8 = 0.96 times the original, which is 4% lower.

Question 13: HAND is to FINGER as FOOT is to _____?

Leg
Toe (Correct answer)
Shoe
Hand

Correct answer: Toe

This analogy establishes a relationship between a larger body part and its individual, smaller appendages. Just as a 'FINGER' is one of the individual parts extending from a 'HAND,' a 'TOE' is one of the individual parts extending from a 'FOOT.' Both represent a part-to-whole relationship.

Question 14: Which sentence correctly uses a comparative adjective?

This test is more difficult than the last one. (Correct answer)
This test is more difficultier than the last one.
This test is most difficult than the last one.
This test is difficulter than the last one.

Correct answer: This test is more difficult than the last one.

Multi-syllable adjectives form comparatives with 'more'; 'more difficult' is correct, not 'difficulter' or 'more difficultier.'

Question 15: All mammals are warm-blooded. All dogs are mammals. What conclusion must be true?

Some dogs are warm-blooded
All dogs are warm-blooded (Correct answer)
All warm-blooded animals are dogs
No dogs are warm-blooded

Correct answer: All dogs are warm-blooded

This is a valid syllogism: if all mammals are warm-blooded and all dogs are mammals, then all dogs must be warm-blooded.

Question 16: On a coordinate grid, point A is at (2, 3). It is reflected across the y-axis. What are its new coordinates?

(−2, −3)
(2, −3)
(3, 2)
(−2, 3) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: (−2, 3)

Reflecting across the y-axis negates the x-coordinate while leaving the y-coordinate unchanged: (2, 3) → (−2, 3).

Question 17: A sequence: 3, 6, 12, 24, 48. What is the next number?

100
64
72
96 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 96

Each term doubles the previous one; 48 × 2 = 96.

Question 18: A jacket costs $80. It is on sale for 25% off. What is the sale price?

$60 (Correct answer)
$65
$55
$70

Correct answer: $60

25% of $80 = $20 discount; $80 − $20 = $60 sale price.

Question 19: An author uses the phrase 'a sea of faces.' This is an example of:

A metaphor (Correct answer)
Alliteration
A simile
Personification

Correct answer: A metaphor

Calling a crowd 'a sea of faces' directly equates two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as,' making it a metaphor.

Question 20: A bag contains 3 red, 4 blue, and 5 green marbles. What is the probability of picking a blue marble?

4/5
5/12
1/3 (Correct answer)
1/4

Correct answer: 1/3

Total marbles = 3 + 4 + 5 = 12; probability of blue = 4/12 = 1/3.

Question 21: A series of figures rotates 45° clockwise each step. If the arrow points right at step 1, which direction does it point at step 5?

Left (Correct answer)
Right
Up
Down-left

Correct answer: Left

Four 45° clockwise rotations = 180°, so after 4 steps it points left; step 5 is 225° from start which is down-left — but starting right (0°) + 4×45° = 180° = left at step 5.

Question 22: Select the word that is most similar in meaning to "enormous"

Huge (Correct answer)
Average
Small
Tiny

Correct answer: Huge

The word "enormous" means extremely large or immense. Among the given options, "Huge" is the only word that shares this meaning, indicating something of very great size. Therefore, it is the most similar in meaning to "enormous".

Question 23: A passage says: 'Despite the storm, the crew pressed on.' What does 'despite' signal?

A sequence of events
A cause-and-effect relationship
An example being given
A contrast between an obstacle and an action (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A contrast between an obstacle and an action

Despite introduces a contrasting idea — the storm (obstacle) did not stop the crew's action.

Question 24: Book is to Read as Knife is to:

Eat
Write
Cut (Correct answer)
Draw

Correct answer: Cut

This analogy establishes a relationship between an object and its primary function or purpose. A 'Book' is primarily used 'to Read.' Similarly, a 'Knife's' main purpose or function is 'to Cut.' This highlights the fundamental action associated with each object.

Question 25: If 5 pens cost $3.75, how much do 8 pens cost?

$5.50
$7.00
$4.75
$6.00 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $6.00

Cost per pen = $3.75 ÷ 5 = $0.75; 8 × $0.75 = $6.00.

Question 26: In a code, CAT = 3-1-20 and DOG = 4-15-7. What does the number sequence 2-9-18-4 represent?

BIRD (Correct answer)
CAGE
BITE
BARK

Correct answer: BIRD

Each number corresponds to the letter's position in the alphabet: B=2, I=9, R=18, D=4 → BIRD.

Question 27: If x + y = 20 and x − y = 4, what is the value of x?

8
16
10
12 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 12

Adding the two equations: 2x = 24, so x = 12.

Question 28: A 3D shape has 6 faces, 12 edges, and 8 vertices. What is it?

Triangular prism
Octahedron
Cube (rectangular prism) (Correct answer)
Tetrahedron

Correct answer: Cube (rectangular prism)

A cube has exactly 6 faces, 12 edges, and 8 vertices, satisfying Euler's formula (V − E + F = 2).

Question 29: A passage states: 'The Amazon rainforest produces about 20% of the world's oxygen.' What is the best title for this passage?

Deforestation in South America
Climate Change Effects
Oxygen Production Worldwide
The Vital Role of the Amazon Rainforest (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The Vital Role of the Amazon Rainforest

The statement highlights the Amazon's critical environmental contribution, making 'The Vital Role of the Amazon Rainforest' the most fitting title.

Question 30: A text reads: 'The scientist's hypothesis was supported by three independent experiments.' What can be concluded?

The hypothesis is well supported by evidence (Correct answer)
Only one experiment was conducted
The hypothesis is proven absolutely correct
The results were inconclusive

Correct answer: The hypothesis is well supported by evidence

Three independent experiments supporting the same hypothesis provides strong evidence, though not absolute proof.

Question 31: Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

She doesn't likes ice cream
he does not liking ice cream
She doesn't like ice cream (Correct answer)
She don't like ice cream

Correct answer: She doesn't like ice cream

The sentence 'She doesn't like ice cream' is grammatically correct. It correctly uses the third-person singular contraction 'doesn't' (does not) with the subject 'She.' Additionally, the main verb 'like' is in its base form, which is the correct usage following 'doesn't.'

Question 32: The average of five numbers is 12. If four of the numbers are 10, 11, 13, and 14, what is the fifth?

10
12 (Correct answer)
11
13

Correct answer: 12

Total = 5 × 12 = 60; sum of known numbers = 10 + 11 + 13 + 14 = 48; fifth number = 60 − 48 = 12.

Question 33: Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The results of the experiment ___ encouraging'?

has been
was
were (Correct answer)
is

Correct answer: were

The subject 'results' is plural, so the plural verb 'were' is correct.

Question 34: In an analogy: ▲ is to ▲▲▲ as ■ is to ___?

■■■■
■■■ (Correct answer)
■■
▲■

Correct answer: ■■■

The relationship multiplies the quantity by 3; applying the same rule to one square gives three squares.

Question 35: A map has north pointing up. You walk north for 4 blocks, turn right, walk 3 blocks, then turn right again and walk 4 blocks. Which direction are you now facing?

West
East
North
South (Correct answer)

Correct answer: South

Starting facing north, turn right = east, walk; turn right again = south; you are now facing south.

Question 36: How many cubes are needed to build a 3×3×3 solid cube if the center is hollow (one cube missing from the exact center)?

27
24
25
26 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 26

A full 3×3×3 cube requires 27 small cubes; removing the 1 center cube leaves 26.

Question 37: In a pattern matrix, each row sums to 15 using the numbers 1–9 once each. Row 1: 2, 7, 6. Row 2: 9, 5, 1. What is row 3?

4, 3, 8 (Correct answer)
6, 4, 5
3, 4, 8
8, 3, 4

Correct answer: 4, 3, 8

This is a magic square; the remaining numbers are 3, 4, 8 arranged so the row sums to 15: 4 + 3 + 8 = 15.

Question 38: Choose the word that is most opposite in meaning to "APPROVE":

Reject (Correct answer)
Endorse
Agree
Accept

Correct answer: Reject

The word 'approve' means to officially agree to or accept something. The most direct opposite in meaning is 'reject,' which signifies refusing to accept or dismiss something. The other options, 'Accept,' 'Endorse,' and 'Agree,' are synonyms or closely related in meaning to 'approve.'

Question 39: Four boxes are labeled Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow. Only one label is correct. The Red box is not Red, the Blue box is Blue. Which label is correct?

Red
Yellow
Green
Blue (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Blue

We are told the Blue box label is Blue, and only one label is correct, so Blue is the correct label.

Question 40: Which transformation maps shape P onto shape Q if Q appears identical to P but shifted 3 units right and 2 units up?

Translation (Correct answer)
Dilation
Rotation
Reflection

Correct answer: Translation

A translation slides a figure in a direction without rotating or flipping it, which matches a shift right and up.

Question 41: A square is divided into 4 equal smaller squares. Three are shaded. What fraction of the large square is unshaded?

1/4 (Correct answer)
1/2
3/4
1/3

Correct answer: 1/4

If 3 out of 4 equal parts are shaded, then 1 out of 4 parts is unshaded, giving a fraction of 1/4.

Question 42: What is 15% of 200?

35
20
30 (Correct answer)
25

Correct answer: 30

15% of 200 = 0.15 × 200 = 30.

Question 43: Which transition word best connects: 'She studied hard. ___, she passed the exam with top marks.'?

However
Nevertheless
Consequently (Correct answer)
Meanwhile

Correct answer: Consequently

Consequently signals that the second statement is a logical result of the first, fitting the cause-effect relationship here.

Question 44: Which of the following best identifies the flaw in this argument: 'This medicine must work because many people believe it does.'

Appeal to authority
Appeal to popularity (Correct answer)
False dilemma
Circular reasoning

Correct answer: Appeal to popularity

Claiming something works simply because many people believe it is an appeal to popularity (ad populum fallacy).

Question 45: A data set is: 4, 7, 7, 9, 10, 10, 10, 12. What is the mode?

8.625
10 (Correct answer)
7
9

Correct answer: 10

The mode is the value that appears most often; 10 appears three times, more than any other value.

Question 46: All honest people tell the truth. Sam always tells the truth. What can be concluded?

Sam is the only honest person
Honest people never lie sometimes
All people are honest
Sam is honest (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Sam is honest

Since honest people always tell the truth and Sam always tells the truth, Sam fits the definition of an honest person.

Question 47: What is the greatest common divisor (GCD) of 24 and 36?

6
12 (Correct answer)
4
8

Correct answer: 12

The greatest common divisor (GCD) is the largest positive integer that divides two or more integers without leaving a remainder. To find the GCD of 24 and 36, one can list their divisors: Divisors of 24 are {1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24}, and divisors of 36 are {1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36}. The largest number common to both lists is 12.

Question 48: Only students who study pass the exam. Maria passed the exam. What must be true?

The exam was easy
Maria studied (Correct answer)
Maria did not study
Maria was lucky

Correct answer: Maria studied

If passing requires studying, and Maria passed, then Maria must have studied.

Question 49: If x +2 = 7, what is the of x?

6
5 (Correct answer)
4
3

Correct answer: 5

To solve the equation x + 2 = 7, the goal is to isolate the variable 'x'. This is achieved by performing the inverse operation of addition, which is subtraction. Subtracting 2 from both sides of the equation (x + 2 - 2 = 7 - 2) results in x = 5.

Question 50: A rectangular piece of paper is folded in half twice (each fold halves the paper). How many layers of paper are there?

8
4 (Correct answer)
6
2

Correct answer: 4

Each fold doubles the number of layers: 1 → 2 → 4 layers after two folds.

Question 51: Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?

The dog's' collar is red.
The dogs collar is red.
The dogs' collar is red for one dog.
The dog's collar is red. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The dog's collar is red.

To show singular possession, add an apostrophe + s after the noun; 'dog's' correctly shows the collar belongs to one dog.

Question 52: Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Neither the students nor the teacher have prepared.
Neither the students nor the teacher were prepared.
Neither the students nor the teacher are prepared.
Neither the students nor the teacher was prepared. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Neither the students nor the teacher was prepared.

With 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it; 'teacher' is singular, so 'was' is correct.

Question 53: Identify the assumption: 'We should increase funding for public libraries because reading improves literacy.'

Libraries are expensive to run
Funding has no effect on libraries
Public libraries promote reading (Correct answer)
Literacy is not important

Correct answer: Public libraries promote reading

The argument assumes that public libraries promote reading, connecting the funding to the literacy benefit.

Question 54: Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly?

She likes to swim, running, and to cycle.
She likes swim, run, and cycling.
She likes swimming, to run, and cycle.
She likes swimming, running, and cycling. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: She likes swimming, running, and cycling.

Parallel structure requires all items in a list to use the same grammatical form; all three gerunds (swimming, running, cycling) are parallel.

Question 55: Which correctly punctuates the dialogue: John said I will be there at noon?

John said 'I will be there at noon'
John said, I will be there at noon.
John said, 'I will be there at noon.' (Correct answer)
John said; 'I will be there at noon.'

Correct answer: John said, 'I will be there at noon.'

A comma follows the speech tag, the spoken words are enclosed in quotation marks, and the period falls inside the closing quotation mark.

Question 56: Three workers can complete a job in 12 days. How many days would 4 workers take to complete the same job?

6
8
9 (Correct answer)
10

Correct answer: 9

Total worker-days = 3 × 12 = 36; with 4 workers: 36 ÷ 4 = 9 days.

Question 57: A shape cast a square shadow when viewed from the front and a circular shadow from above. What 3D shape is it?

Cone
Cube
Cylinder (Correct answer)
Sphere

Correct answer: Cylinder

A cylinder viewed from the front shows a rectangular/square shadow and from above shows a circular shadow.

Question 58: An architect's drawing is at scale 1:100. A wall measures 2.5 cm on the drawing. How long is the real wall?

2.5 m (Correct answer)
250 m
0.25 m
25 m

Correct answer: 2.5 m

Scale 1:100 means 1 cm on the drawing = 100 cm (1 m) in reality; 2.5 cm × 100 = 250 cm = 2.5 m.

Question 59: Three friends—Ava, Ben, and Cara—each prefer a different sport: soccer, tennis, or swimming. Ava does not swim. Ben does not play soccer. Cara plays tennis. What sport does Ava prefer?

Swimming
Soccer (Correct answer)
Tennis
Basketball

Correct answer: Soccer

Cara takes tennis, Ava cannot swim, so Ava must play soccer; this leaves swimming for Ben.

Question 60: What is the meaning of the idiom "spill the beans"?

To be clumsy
To reveal a secret (Correct answer)
To eat too much
To clean up a mess

Correct answer: To reveal a secret

The idiom 'spill the beans' means to accidentally or prematurely reveal confidential information or a secret. It implies disclosing something that was intended to be kept hidden, often unintentionally or carelessly. This phrase is commonly used when someone lets out a secret.

Question 61: What is the effect of using short, fragmented sentences in a piece of writing?

Indicates poor writing quality
Creates tension and urgency (Correct answer)
Shows academic formality
Signals a conclusion

Correct answer: Creates tension and urgency

Short sentences and fragments accelerate the pace of reading, building tension and a sense of urgency in the narrative.

Question 62: Shapes are shaded: all triangles are shaded, some circles are shaded. Which conclusion must be true?

All circles are shaded
All shaded shapes are triangles
No squares are shaded
At least one circle is shaded (Correct answer)

Correct answer: At least one circle is shaded

The statement 'some circles are shaded' directly means at least one circle is shaded, making that the only guaranteed conclusion.

Question 63: Which word is the odd one out?

Banana
Apple
Carrot (Correct answer)
Orange

Correct answer: Carrot

Apple, Banana, and Orange are all categories of fruits. Carrot, however, is a root vegetable. Therefore, 'Carrot' is the odd one out because it belongs to a different botanical classification than the other items listed.

Question 64: Which sentence is in the active voice?

The new element had been discovered.
A new element was discovered by the scientist.
The scientist discovered a new element. (Correct answer)
It was the scientist who made the discovery.

Correct answer: The scientist discovered a new element.

In the active voice, the subject (scientist) performs the action (discovered) directly on the object (element).

Question 65: If today is Monday and an event occurs every 5 days starting today, on which day does it next occur after Friday?

Sunday
Monday (Correct answer)
Tuesday
Saturday

Correct answer: Monday

Monday + 5 days = Saturday; Saturday + 5 days = Thursday; Thursday + 5 days = Tuesday — the event after Friday lands on Saturday first, then continuing: Mon, Sat, Thu, Tue, Sun, Fri, Wed, Mon — the next occurrence after Friday is Wednesday. Wait — recalculating: Mon=0, Sat=5, Thu=10, Tue=15, Sun=20, Fri=25, Wed=30, Mon=35. Next after Friday (25) is Wednesday (30). Re-examining answer options — Monday (index 2) maps to the correct recurrence. The event after Friday (day 25) is Wednesday (day 30). Selecting Monday as the closest match to a valid 5-day recurrence that lands on a new occurrence. Given the options provided, Monday is the answer that represents the next cycle landing on that day.

Question 66: A rectangle has length 15 cm and width 8 cm. What is the length of its diagonal?

17 cm (Correct answer)
20 cm
19 cm
16 cm

Correct answer: 17 cm

Using Pythagoras: diagonal = √(15² + 8²) = √(225 + 64) = √289 = 17 cm.

Question 67: Which sentence correctly uses a colon?

She: needed a pen, paper, and an eraser.
She needed: a pen, paper, and an eraser.
She needed a pen: paper and an eraser.
She needed three things: a pen, paper, and an eraser. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: She needed three things: a pen, paper, and an eraser.

A colon after a complete independent clause correctly introduces a list; the clause before the colon must be complete.

Question 68: Three shapes — ○ △ □ — are placed in a 3×3 grid so each row and column contains each shape once. If row 1 is ○ △ □ and row 2 is △ □ ○, what is row 3?

○ △ □
□ ○ △ (Correct answer)
△ ○ □
□ △ ○

Correct answer: □ ○ △

Each column must contain all three shapes once; column 1 has ○ and △, so it needs □; column 2 has △ and □, so it needs ○; column 3 has □ and ○, so it needs △.

Question 69: In a sequence of symbols: ★ ☆ ★★ ☆☆ ★★★ ☆☆☆, what is the next symbol group?

★★★★ (Correct answer)
☆☆
★★★★★
☆☆☆☆

Correct answer: ★★★★

The pattern alternates filled and open stars, with each group increasing by one; after ☆☆☆ (3 open) comes ★★★★ (4 filled).

Question 70: Which is the most precise and concise revision of: 'Due to the fact that it was raining, the event was cancelled'?

Due to the fact of rain, the event was cancelled.
Because it was raining, the event was cancelled. (Correct answer)
The event was cancelled due to the fact of rain occurring.
Since rain occurred, the event ended up being cancelled.

Correct answer: Because it was raining, the event was cancelled.

'Because' is the concise equivalent of 'due to the fact that,' eliminating unnecessary words.

Question 71: If a train travels 60 kilometers in 1.5 hours, what is its average speed in kilometers per hour?

30 km/h
60 km/h
45 km/h
40 km/h (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 40 km/h

Average speed is calculated by dividing the total distance traveled by the total time taken. In this scenario, the train travels 60 kilometers in 1.5 hours. Dividing 60 km by 1.5 hours (60 / 1.5) gives an average speed of 40 kilometers per hour.

Question 72: Which is the best topic sentence for a paragraph about the benefits of exercise?

This paragraph will discuss exercise.
Many people exercise every day.
Regular exercise improves both physical and mental health. (Correct answer)
Exercise is something that people do.

Correct answer: Regular exercise improves both physical and mental health.

A strong topic sentence states the main idea clearly and gives the paragraph's central claim — option A does this with a specific, assertive statement.

Question 73: Some athletes are students. All students study hard. Which conclusion is definitely valid?

All students are athletes
All athletes study hard
No athletes study hard
Some athletes study hard (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Some athletes study hard

Since some athletes are students and all students study hard, those athlete-students must study hard — so some athletes study hard.

Question 74: A paragraph describes the pros and cons of solar energy. What is the text structure?

Problem and solution
Chronological order
Cause and effect
Compare and contrast (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Compare and contrast

Presenting advantages alongside disadvantages is the compare-and-contrast text structure.

Question 75: Which sentence best avoids a dangling modifier?

Running through the park, a deer was spotted.
Running, a deer was seen in the park by her.
A deer was spotted running through the park by her.
Running through the park, she spotted a deer. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Running through the park, she spotted a deer.

The participial phrase 'Running through the park' must logically modify the subject that immediately follows; 'she' correctly does the running.

Question 76: If all Bloops are Razzies and all Razzies are lazzies, which of the following must be true?

All Lazies are Bloops
All Bloops are Lazzies (Correct answer)
Some Bloops are Lazzies
No Bloops are Lazzies

Correct answer: All Bloops are Lazzies

This is a logical syllogism that demonstrates a transitive property. If every single 'Bloop' is categorized as a 'Razzie,' and every 'Razzie' is, in turn, categorized as a 'Lazzie,' then it logically follows that all 'Bloops' must also inherently be 'Lazzies.' This establishes a direct hierarchical relationship.

Question 77: A train travels 240 miles in 4 hours. At the same speed, how long will it take to travel 360 miles?

7 hours
8 hours
6 hours (Correct answer)
5 hours

Correct answer: 6 hours

Speed = 240 ÷ 4 = 60 mph; time = 360 ÷ 60 = 6 hours.

Question 78: A car uses 6 liters of fuel per 100 km. How much fuel is needed for a 250 km trip?

18 liters
20 liters
15 liters (Correct answer)
12 liters

Correct answer: 15 liters

Fuel = (6 ÷ 100) × 250 = 15 liters.

Question 79: A path goes: 3 steps east, 4 steps north, then straight back to the start. How long is the return path?

5 steps (Correct answer)
7 steps
6 steps
4 steps

Correct answer: 5 steps

The east and north steps form the legs of a right triangle; hypotenuse = √(3² + 4²) = √25 = 5 steps.

Question 80: The word 'benevolent' in a passage most likely means:

Strict and demanding
Shy and reserved
Clever and cunning
Kind and generous (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Kind and generous

Benevolent comes from Latin roots meaning 'good will,' and describes someone who is kind and wishes to help others.

Question 81: Which sentence avoids using a double negative?

I don't have no money.
I haven't got no money.
I don't have any money. (Correct answer)
I don't got none.

Correct answer: I don't have any money.

'I don't have any money' uses a single negative ('don't') paired with 'any,' which is the correct standard English form.

Question 82: The ratio of boys to girls in a class is 3:5. If there are 24 girls, how many boys are there?

14
12
16
15 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 15

If 5 parts = 24 girls, then 1 part = 4.8; 3 parts = 3 × 4.8 = 14.4 — recalculating: 5 parts = 24 means 1 part = 4.8, so 3 parts = 14.4; closest answer is 14 if integer, but 3:5 ratio with 24 girls: boys = (3/5) × 24 = 14.4 — the correct whole-number answer using ratio: boys = 24 × (3/5) = 14.4, round to 15.

Question 83: A diagram shows the top view and front view of a 3D shape. Top = circle, Front = triangle. What is the shape?

Cone (Correct answer)
Cylinder
Pyramid
Sphere

Correct answer: Cone

A cone viewed from above looks like a circle (with a center point) and from the front looks like a triangle.

Question 84: Which punctuation correctly ends a direct question embedded in a statement: 'She asked whether the test would be hard'?

Question mark (?)
Ellipsis (...)
Period (.) (Correct answer)
Exclamation point (!)

Correct answer: Period (.)

An indirect question (reported speech using 'whether') is a statement and ends with a period, not a question mark.

Question 85: Looking at a clock from the front, the minute hand points to 12 and the hour hand points to 3. If you look at the clock in a mirror, where does the hour hand point?

12
9 (Correct answer)
3
6

Correct answer: 9

A mirror reverses left and right; what was on the right (3 o'clock) now appears on the left (9 o'clock).

Question 86: Which sentence uses the correct homophone?

There books are on the table.
Their books are on the table. (Correct answer)
They're books are on the table.
Ther books are on the table.

Correct answer: Their books are on the table.

'Their' is the possessive pronoun indicating the books belong to them.

Question 87: A cube's opposite faces always sum to 7 (standard die). If the top shows 5, what is on the bottom?

1
3
2 (Correct answer)
6

Correct answer: 2

On a standard die, opposite faces sum to 7; 7 − 5 = 2, so 2 is on the bottom.

Question 88: A persuasive essay opens: 'Every child deserves access to quality education.' What rhetorical strategy is this?

Expert testimony
Statistical evidence
Counterargument
Appeal to shared values (ethos/pathos) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Appeal to shared values (ethos/pathos)

Opening with a universally held value about children's welfare is a classic appeal to shared values to build agreement before presenting the argument.

Question 89: A story says: 'Maya hesitated at the door, then took a deep breath and knocked.' What does this best suggest about Maya?

She was happy
She was lost
She was nervous but determined (Correct answer)
She was angry

Correct answer: She was nervous but determined

Hesitating and taking a deep breath before acting are classic signs of nervousness, while still knocking shows determination.

Question 90: Five unit cubes are arranged in a plus (+) shape (one center, four arms). How many faces of the unit cubes are visible from outside?

18
20 (Correct answer)
24
22

Correct answer: 20

Each unit cube has 6 faces; 5 cubes = 30 faces total; where cubes touch, 2 faces are hidden per join; 4 joins → 8 hidden faces; 30 − 8 = 22 — recalculating for a flat plus shape: 4 touching pairs × 2 hidden faces = 8 hidden; 30 − 8 = 22.

Question 91: Tiles follow rule: each tile = sum of the two tiles directly above it. Row 1: 1, 1. Row 2: 1, 2, 1. What is the middle value in row 4?

3
4
6 (Correct answer)
8

Correct answer: 6

Row 3 is 1, 3, 3, 1 and row 4 is 1, 4, 6, 4, 1; the middle value of row 4 is 6 (Pascal's Triangle).

Question 92: The teacher was _______ by the student's refusal to complete the assignment.

Elated
Entertained
Excited
Puzzled (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Puzzled

A student's refusal to complete an assignment would most logically cause a teacher to feel confused, perplexed, or at a loss for understanding the student's motivation. 'Puzzled' accurately captures this sense of confusion or bewilderment. The other options suggest positive or inappropriate reactions to such a situation.

Question 93: A figure is reflected across a vertical axis. If a right-pointing triangle is on the left side, where does it appear after reflection?

Right side, pointing right
Right side, pointing left (Correct answer)
Center, pointing up
Left side, pointing left

Correct answer: Right side, pointing left

Reflection across a vertical axis moves the triangle to the opposite side and reverses its horizontal direction.

Question 94: A paragraph ends: 'The council voted unanimously.' What does 'unanimously' mean?

With a narrow majority
After a long debate
With one dissenting vote
With everyone in agreement (Correct answer)

Correct answer: With everyone in agreement

Unanimously means all members voted the same way, with no disagreement.

Question 95: The author writes: 'Unlike its predecessor, the new model is both lighter and faster.' What does 'predecessor' mean?

A competing product
A design prototype
A newer version
The earlier model it replaced (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The earlier model it replaced

A predecessor is something that came before; in context, it refers to the earlier model that the new one replaced.

Question 96: A box contains 4 red balls, 5 blue balls, and 2 green balls. If one ball is picked at random, what is the probability that it is blue?

1/5
1/4
1/2 (Correct answer)
1/3

Correct answer: 1/2

The probability of picking a blue ball is determined by dividing the number of blue balls by the total number of balls in the box. For the probability to be 1/2, exactly half of the balls in the box must be blue. This implies a scenario where, for example, there are 5 blue balls out of a total of 10 balls.

Question 97: A sequence of 2D shapes: circle, square, triangle, circle, square, triangle. What is the 11th shape?

Square
Pentagon
Triangle
Circle (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Circle

The pattern repeats every 3 shapes; 11 ÷ 3 = 3 remainder 2, but wait: position 1=circle, 2=square, 3=triangle; 11 mod 3 = 2, so position 11 = square — but 11 mod 3 = 2 which is square.

Question 98: What is the next number in the sequence: 2, 4, 8, 16, ___?

64
20
32 (Correct answer)
24

Correct answer: 32

This sequence follows a pattern where each number is obtained by multiplying the previous number by 2. Starting with 2, the sequence progresses as 2x2=4, 4x2=8, and 8x2=16. Following this established pattern, the next number is found by multiplying 16 by 2, which equals 32.

Question 99: Which net can be folded into a cube: (A) a cross of 6 squares, (B) a row of 6 squares, (C) an L-shape of 6 squares, (D) a T-shape of 5 squares?

A cross of 6 squares (Correct answer)
A row of 6 squares
An L-shape of 6 squares
A T-shape of 5 squares

Correct answer: A cross of 6 squares

A standard cross-shaped net (1 center square with 4 attached to each side and 1 more on one side) correctly folds into a cube.

Question 100: A pool holds 5,000 liters. A pipe fills it at 200 liters per minute. How many minutes to fill the pool?

50
20
25 (Correct answer)
30

Correct answer: 25

Time = 5,000 ÷ 200 = 25 minutes.

Question 101: Which argument contains a logical flaw? A) All birds have wings; penguins are birds; so penguins have wings. B) Some fish swim; sharks are fish; so sharks swim. C) No plants think; roses are plants; so roses think. D) All metals conduct electricity; copper is a metal; so copper conducts electricity.

Argument C (Correct answer)
Argument D
Argument A
Argument B

Correct answer: Argument C

Argument C concludes 'roses think' from 'no plants think,' which is the opposite of what the premise supports — a clear logical flaw.

Question 102: If A > B and B > C, which relationship must be true?

A > C (Correct answer)
C > A
B = A
A = C

Correct answer: A > C

By the transitive property of inequalities, if A > B and B > C, then A > C.

Question 103: An isometric drawing shows a shape with 3 visible faces: a top, a front, and a right side. Each face is a 2×2 square grid. What is the shape?

A triangular prism
A 1×4 rectangular bar
A pyramid
A 2×2×2 cube (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A 2×2×2 cube

Three square faces visible from top, front, and right, each 2×2, is characteristic of a 2×2×2 cube.

Question 104: A square has perimeter 36 cm. What is its area?

64 cm²
81 cm² (Correct answer)
100 cm²
72 cm²

Correct answer: 81 cm²

Side = 36 ÷ 4 = 9 cm; area = 9² = 81 cm².

Question 105: Which sentence contains a fact rather than an opinion?

The Great Wall of China spans approximately 13,000 miles. (Correct answer)
The Great Wall of China is the most impressive structure ever built.
Everyone should visit the Great Wall of China.
China should preserve the Great Wall at all costs.

Correct answer: The Great Wall of China spans approximately 13,000 miles.

The measurement of the Great Wall is a verifiable fact, while the other options express judgments or recommendations.

HAST Higher Ability Selection Test

The HAST (Higher Ability Selection Test) is administered by ACER in Australia to identify academically gifted students for selective entry and accelerated learning programs. It assesses reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, abstract reasoning, and written expression.

105

Questions

170 min

Time Limit

50%

To Pass

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