HSPT Verbal : Example and Category

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

← Previous 1 3 4 5

Example Question #1 :Example And Category

Camel is to fauna as whiskey is to __________.

Possible Answers:

prohibited

spirit

pleasure

drunkenness

gin

Correct answer:

spirit

Explanation:

你可能已经听说过“植物和足总una,” meaning something like “animals and plants (in a given area).” The analogy seems rather general, but there is a relationship between “camel” and “fauna,” namely that a camel is a member of the class of things we call fauna; therefore, we need to find the general class into which whiskey could be categorized. Although you could stretch a bit and attempt “pleasure,” so as to say that whiskey is a member of the class of pleasurable things, it is better to choose “spirit,” which not only has to do with immaterial beings but also is a word for strong alcoholic beverages (like whiskey). (“Wine and spirit stores” are ones that sell wine and stronger beverages as well).

Example Question #2 :Example And Category

Baron is to nobility as beggar is to __________.

Possible Answers:

deprived

wastrel

underclass

petition

forgotten

Correct answer:

underclass

Explanation:

A baron is a type of noble and thus could be said to be a member of the general class of “nobility.” The bridge sentence for this analogy could be constructed, “As a baron is a member of the nobility, so is a beggar a member of the X.” The only general class among the options provided is “underclass,” which is the part of society that is greatly impoverished and without employment. A beggar could fairly be said to be a member of this broader group.

Example Question #181 :Hspt Verbal Skills

Siamese is to feline as borough is to __________.

Possible Answers:

council

rural

metropolis

election

municipality

Correct answer:

municipality

Explanation:

This analogy might seem strange at first sight, but likely you have heard of the Siamese breed of cats. The word “feline” is an adjective meaning “catlike” or “related to cats.” “Siamese” are a type of feline. Thus, we want to know of what general class is a “borough” a type. The word “borough” is related to the “-burg” or “-burgh” that we find at the end of many cities. It is a type of living district that has some kind of representation or at least administration. A municipality is a local area that has a government. This word is a general class in which other things like villages, cities, and towns could be included. Thus, it functions well as a general class for borough.

Example Question #3 :Example And Category

Brooch is to jewelry as crest is to __________.

Possible Answers:

pass

glide

insignia

hairline

forehead

Correct answer:

insignia

Explanation:

A brooch is a type of pin used as decoration on one’s clothing. We could say in a bridge sentence, “Just as a brooch is a type of jewelry, so is a crest a type of X.” A crest generally denotes the notion of being at the top of something (e.g. the crest of a hill). Among the options, thee really are none that denote a general class other than “insignia.” The crest on a coat of arms is the insignia that is placed upon the top of the shield and is part of the insignia that designates the royal family represented by the coat of arms.

Example Question #4 :Example And Category

Trail is to route as polygon is to __________.

Possible Answers:

geometry

shape

Cartesian

angles

mathematics

Correct answer:

shape

Explanation:

A trail is a type of route over which you could travel. The word “route” includes many other types of paths such as “roads,” “highways,” and “lanes.” Thus, the bridge sentence for this analogy could be formed as, “Just as a trail is a type of route, so is a polygon a type of X.” A polygon is a shape with multiple straight sides. It is used to describe any such figure, from triangles to shapes with 1,000 sides (and beyond); however, not all shapes are polygons—do not forget circles for instance! Thus, the only general class that is an option in this question is “shape,” which adequately fulfills the analogy.

Example Question #5 :Example And Category

Wreath is to decoration as caffeine is to __________.

Possible Answers:

diurnal

coffee

awake

overwhelming

stimulant

Correct answer:

stimulant

Explanation:

A wreath is a type of decoration, the latter being the general class into which the former falls. Caffeine, which is found in substances like tea and coffee, is a stimulant or something that activates the body’s nervous system. (Hence, coffee keeps you awake if need be). There are other stimulants, whether drugs or medications, so this is a good general category of which caffeine is a member. Note that not even coffee is appropriate as an answer because we would not say that caffeine is a type of coffee. It is merely a substance in coffee.

Example Question #6 :Example And Category

Encyclopedia is to book as cumulous is to __________.

Possible Answers:

aerial

precipitation

fluffy

cloud

rainy

Correct answer:

cloud

Explanation:

An encyclopedia is a type of book; therefore, the bridge sentence for this analogy could be written, “Just as an encyclopedia is a type of book, so too is a cumulous a type of X.” A cumulous is a type of cloud. While it is something that can be described as being either aerial or fluffy, these latter options do not name the general class into which they are placed. That is only done by the general noun “cloud.”

Example Question #7 :Example And Category

Croissant is to pastry as charm is to __________.

Possible Answers:

beautiful

jewel

acceptable

enjoy

ruby

Correct answer:

jewel

Explanation:

A croissant is a type of French pastry; therefore, this is an analogy of a particular member to a broader class. A “charm” is a small item either worn on something like a bracelet or used as a magical talisman. Among the options for “charm” only jewel names a broader class into which “charm” can be placed.

Example Question #8 :Example And Category

Turquoise is to blue as rose is to __________.

Possible Answers:

barbed

red

bouquet

thorns

spring

Correct answer:

red

Explanation:

The color turquoise is a shade of blue (or also a shade of green, depending on your perspective). It likewise is a type of stone that is blue-green. (The two uses, unsurprisingly, are related). Although you could read this analogy as using “turquoise” and “rose” to describe the physical things indicated by those names, it is easier to understand if you consider them merely as colors. As turquoise is a type of blue, so is rose a type of red. (It is purple-pink). The analogy would work for the physical objects as well, though. (As a turquoise stone is blue—or at least bluish—so is a rose red—or at least reddish).

Example Question #9 :Example And Category

Missive is to communication as will is to __________.

Possible Answers:

constancy

strength

document

vigorous

pushy

Correct answer:

document

Explanation:

The word “missive” comes from the Latin for to send. It is founding words like “transmit” and “emit.” It means “a letter,” often implying that the letter is either lengthy or official. There are two options for this analogy. You could read it as stating, “Just a missive is a means of communication, so too is a will a means of X;” however, none of the options really work well for that; therefore, try another reading: “Just as a missive is a type of communication, so too is a will X.” A will is a type of document used for declaring the actions to be taken after one’s death.

← Previous 1 3 4 5
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors