HSPT Practice Test Verbal Skills
An index is to a book as an elegy is to
Correct answer: A Funeral
An index containing key terms or phrases with page numbers where those terms or phrases can be found may be provided at the end of a book as a reference. As a result, we can say that an index is a component of a book's overall structure. The comparison involves an elegy, which can be a song or a poem that expresses profound sadness over a person's death. This elegy would then be included as part of a funeral service.
The underdog is to audacious as the conspirator is to
Correct answer: Elusive
When a strong opponent competes against an unlikely challenger, the unlikely challenger is sometimes referred to as an underdog because of the incredible odds of defeating the strong opponent. An underdog's audacious (i.e., confident or bold) attitude can be an attribute or characteristic. A conspirator is now defined as someone who participates in a plan with illegal intent. As a result, a conspirator has the trait of being elusive (i.e., easily escaping capture).
Secede is the opposite of
Correct answer: Merge
To secede means to split apart, which is the opposite of merge.
Which of the following words does not belong with the others?
Correct answer: Gasoline
Combustible is described by the words inflammable, ignitable, and gasoline.
Otis was the inventor of more patents than his brother Eric. Adam had twice the number of patents as Jackson. Adam and Otis both had the same number of patents. If the first two statements are correct, the third is as follows:
Correct answer: Unknown
The first two sentences can be represented graphically as follows: Otis > Eric; Adam > Jackson. These sentences do not provide enough information to support the third sentence, Otis = Adam.
Coarse most likely means
Correct answer: Harsh
Coarse or rough almost means harsh.
Which of the following words does not belong with the others?
Correct answer: Burden
The remaining words begin with the letter "B" and end with the letter "K." As a result, the correct answer begins with the letter "B," but ends with the letter "."N."
Deter most likely means
Correct answer: Stop
Deter almost means stop.
The word Espionage is to discreet as the word kindling is to
Correct answer: Ominous
Espionage is the service of spying on opponents to gather intelligence. As a result, the nature (or feature) of this task is easily understood to be discrete (i.e., tactful and cautious). The analogy continues with kindling, which is the material used to start a fire. In many cases, a fire is indicative of something tragic about to happen to someone or something. This foreboding sense of tragedy can be given an ominous name. In short, one of the characteristics of kindling is foreboding.
Novice most likely means
Correct answer: Beginner
A novice is someone who is unfamiliar with the situation, or a beginner.
A barometer is to pressure as chronometer is to _______________.
Correct answer: time
A barometer is a device that measures air pressure. When you hear the term barometric pressure, it refers to the pressure of the air and is often used to predict certain aspects of the weather. If you didn't already know, you might have guessed that we're dealing with something that measures in both cases of our words because they both have the ending "—meter." A “chronometer” is a device that measures the passage of time. The order in which events unfold in time is referred to as their chronology, and a "chronic" illness is one that lasts for an extended period of time. While a watch and a clock are both chronometers, the analogy is looking for function rather than examples.
The Poppy is to flora as the tabletop is to __________.
Correct answer: surface
The expression "flora and fauna," which refers to animals and plants in a specific area). The word "flora" is a bit more obvious than "fauna," because it's related to flower, which clearly refers to plants. A "poppy" is a type of flower, and thus a member of the "flora" class. A tabletop is literally (and this is important) the top of the table—that is what the word indicates. This is significant because, as a type of surface, a tabletop does not belong to the general class "furniture." A connecting sentence can help to emphasize this: "Just as poppies are types of flora, so are tabletops types of surfaces."
The wedding was ______________ affair in sharp contrast to the previous night's revelry.
Correct answer: a dignified
The word "dignified" means "honored" or "proper." If this term were added to the text, the sentence would read, "The wedding was a dignified affair in sharp contrast to the previous night's revelry.” The phrase "in sharp contrast" implies that the missing term will be the inverse of "revelry," or loud partying. A dignified wedding would be a welcome change from a wild night of revelry.
Isaac was extremely _____________ unlike his brother who sought solitude.
Correct answer: Gregarious
Gregarious is a word that means gregarious or sociable. If this term were added to the text, the sentence would read, "Isaac was extremely gregarious unlike his brother who sought solitude." The sentence establishes a distinction between Isaac and his brother. Isaac's brother desires "solitude," or alone time. The missing term must imply that Kahil enjoys being around people in order for him to be unlike his brother. Gregarious people enjoy socializing with others.
When autumn arrives in the Southwest, the chamisa plant blooms, and this previously _____________ shrub seems to be everywhere.
Correct answer: Inconspicuous
The term "inconspicuous" refers to something that is not easily noticed. If this term was added to the text, the sentence would read, "When autumn arrives in the Southwest, the chamisa plant blooms, and this previously inconspicuous shrub seems to be everywhere." The word "previously" implies that the missing term must be in contrast to the phrase "seems to be everywhere." As a result, it is reasonable to conclude that this highly visible plant was "inconspicuous" prior to blooming.
The soiled is to filthy as the wet is to ____________.
Correct answer: drenched
To be filthy means to be heavily soiled. As a result, the concept of increase serves as a link between these two terms. “Just as something filthy is very soiled, so something X is very wet,” one could say. “drenched” is one of the options available best fits this usage, as it means completely/completely soaked Do not be duped by the term typhoon."" A typhoon is not an adjective that describes wetness in the same way that "drenched" is.
The infringement is to violation as the expedition is to ____________.
Correct answer: excursion
The term "infringement" literally means "an act of infringing upon something." It is derived from the Latin word for "to break," as is the English word "fracture." The more common meaning of the term is the act of breaking a law or agreement. Such an action constitutes a violation. The terms are nearly synonymous. An "expedition" is a journey with a specific goal. The term "excursion" is a relatively synonymous option because it refers to a trip, often connoting that it is for pleasure. While this is not a direct synonym, it is the best option among those offered.
A nocturnal is to diurnal as a cloying is to ____________.
Correct answer: unsentimental
The term "nocturnal" refers to being active or functioning at night. The prefix “noct-” is derived from the Latin word for night, which can also be found in the phrase “vernal equinox,” which refers to the spring equal-night. The term "diurnal" refers to being active or functioning during the day. It's the antonym for "nocturnal." As a result, we're looking for a word that means the inverse of "cloying." Although the word literally means "sweet," it is frequently used in a metaphorical (and somewhat negative) sense to mean "sweet as in overly emotional or sentimental." As a result, “unsentimental” is a suitable antonym for this word.
The retina is to eye as the letter is to ____________.
Correct answer: word
The retina is the lining of light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye. Even if you didn't know what the retina did, you probably knew it was a part of the eye, so you could form the bridge sentence, "Just as the retina is part of the eye, so is a letter part of an X."" Among the possibilities, you might be tempted by "mail, "as to say, A letter is part of the delivered mail; however, do not be so tempted, as a letter (e.g. X, Y, Z) being part of a word is a better example. It is a necessary part of the word and thus more similar to the case of the retina of the eye. The other incorrect options are all related to the word "letter" in the sense of something written and mailed.
Ellen was feeling lethargic from a bad night's sleep, but she still made it to work on time. Which of the following is the definition of the word "lethargic" in the previous sentence?
Correct answer: tired
Ellen must be tired, based on the context of the sentence about having a bad night's sleep.
Exotic pet trade is a significant concern for enviornmentalists and animal rights advocates around the world. Which of the following words in the sentence is misspelled?
Correct answer: enviornmentalists
Enviornmentalists should be spelled environmentalists.
Which of the following nouns has the proper plural form?
Correct answer: shelves
The plural form of shelf is shelves. Phenomenons should be called phenomena, man should be called men, and deers should be called deer.
Because the ladder was rusted and _____________, everyone urged Danny to resist his natural _____________ that encouraged him to recklessly climb that ladder anyway.
Correct answer: precarious...audacity
If the ladder is rusty and could cause an accident, it is probably not safe. It is a safety hazard and may be precarious, dangerous, and vulnerable. Danny, on the other hand, is a naturally bold and adventurous young man who is eager to climb the ladder. As a result, he must resist his own audacity or boldness, rather than his own courage or cowardice. The word “audacity” fits best here.
The historian observed irony in the fact that developments considered _______________ at the time are now regarded as _______________.
Correct answer: Improbable . . Inevitable
Something “improbable” is unlikely to occur, whereas something “inevitable” is unavoidable and will undoubtedly occur. If these terms were added to the text, the sentence would read, "The historian observed irony in the fact that developments considered improbable at the time are now regarded as inevitable." The term "irony" refers to a discrepancy between what is expected and what actually occurs. It is logical for a historian to see "irony" in the fact that what was once thought unlikely to happen is now seen as unavoidable.
Only _____________ stress is harmful to the immune system; short-term stress may be _____________ or even beneficial in some cases.
Correct answer: Continuous . . Inconsequential
The word "continuous" means "unending." The term "inconsequential" refers to something that has no impact. If these terms were added to the text, the sentence would read, "Only continuous stress is harmful to the immune system; short-term stress may be insignificant or even beneficial in some cases." This sentence compares the effects of two types of stress. The first missing term must refer to a long-term stress. The second term that is missing must refer to an effect that is somewhere between harmful and beneficial. “Continuous” stress is diametrically opposed to “short-term” stress. “Inconsequential” effects are preferable to harmful ones, but not as desirable as beneficial ones.
