HSPT Verbal : Analogies: Prefixes

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Analogies: Prefixes

Fill is to permeate as satisfy is to __________.

Possible Answers:

enjoy

please

satiate

gorge

gratify

Correct answer:

satiate

Explanation:

The prefix "per-" comes from the Latin meaning thorough. We see this in words like "perfect" and "pervade." When something permeates something else (e.g. a smell in a room), it completely fills it. Thus, permeate is a kind of "complete filling." To be "satiated" is to be satisfied completely. This is a kind of "complete satisfaction."

Example Question #1 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots

Juxtaposed is to location as instantaneous is to __________.

Possible Answers:

answer

position

scheduling

time

response

Correct answer:

time

Explanation:

The prefix "juxta-" comes from the Latin meaning close. When two things are juxtaposed, they are bordering on each other (like neighboring plots of land). Just as juxtaposition is a close placement with regard to location, so is being "instantaneous" a kind of being close with regard to time.

Example Question #1 : Analogies: Prefixes

Vexed is to calm as after is to __________.

Possible Answers:

anterior

posterior

distracted

ingenuous

crafty

Correct answer:

anterior

Explanation:

When someone is "vexed," he or she is annoyed. This is the opposite of being calm. Therefore, we are looking for a word that is an antonym for "after."  he prefix "ante-" comes from Latin and means before. It is found in words like "antechamber" and "antecede." Something that is "anterior" is before something else. This is the opposite of being "after."

Example Question #2 : Analogies: Prefixes

Malicious is to benevolent as extraneous is to __________.

Possible Answers:

tedious

questionable

idiotic

wasteful

relevant

Correct answer:

relevant

Explanation:

Someone who is malicious is not benevolent. Being benevolent means being "good-willed"—quite the opposite of someone with a malicious will, a bad will! Therefore, we are looking for something that is the opposite of "extraneous." The prefix "extra-" means outside of. Extraneous details are unimportant and irrelevant—as when someone tells you all about the recent weather when you ask him or her to give you an outline of the a class you missed. Therefore, extraneous details are not relevant.

Example Question #3 : Analogies: Prefixes

Defeat is to vanquish as finish is to __________.

Possible Answers:

fulfill

perfect

conquer

accept

submit

Correct answer:

perfect

Explanation:

To "vanquish" someone is to completely defeat him or her. Therefore, we are looking for a word that intensifies the meaning of "finish," giving the sense of being wholly finished. The prefix "per-" is from a Latin root meaning throughout, though it often means "thoroughly" or "completely." When something is perfected, it is completely made—it is totally finished.

Example Question #4 : Analogies: Prefixes

Impress is to dazzle as decorate is to __________.

Possible Answers:

cover

blandish

bedeck

inculcate

festive

Correct answer:

bedeck

Explanation:

The word "bedeck" generally means decorate. However, the prefix "be-" can also function as an intensifier meaning thoroughly. To "bedeck" something is to decorate it thoroughly. To be "bedecked" is to be covered or decorated very completely. Just as something dazzling is very illuminated, so too is something bedecked "very decorated."

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors