All HSPT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Tool/Use, User/Tool, Actor/Action, Product/Producer, Subject/Object
"Trombone" is to "audible" as "projector" is to __________.
film
image
cinema
enjoyable
visible
visible
The word “audible” means “able to be heard” or “pertaining to the sense of hearing.” Therefore, the analogy implies, “As a trombone produces an audible effect, so too does a projector produce . . .” While a number of the options describe what a projector might make—an image or a film—and likewise where it might be used—in a cinema—the only appropriate word is one that describes the general type of effect produced by the projector. As such, the projector is better said to produce a visible effect than an enjoyable one. Enjoyable effects might be produced by man things other than projectors, but it is proper to the projector to produce a visible effect.
Example Question #301 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship
"Eye" is to "sight" as "heart" is to __________.
fluid
chest
cardiac
circulation
blood
circulation
Just as the purpose of the eye’s proper functioning is sight, the heart’s proper function is the circulation of blood and fluid through the body. Note that the words “blood” and “fluid” tell you what the heart circulates. They do not describe the activity of the heart, which is precisely the act of circulation itself.
Example Question #315 : Analogies
"Cobbler" is to "footwear" as "tailor" is to __________.
cleaning
skill
attire
trade
trousers
attire
A cobbler is more than a type of delicious dessert. The word likewise mean “a person who repairs footwear.” The analogy thus runs, “As the cobbler repairs footwear, so does the tailor repair . . .” Now, a tailor does indeed to more than repair items, but the analogy merely focuses on this aspect of repairing. While a tailor might repair trousers, the general thing that they repair are clothes, a synonym of which is “attire.” This is the best option among those provided.
Example Question #316 : Analogies
Computer is to calculation as actor is to __________.
contest
monologue
award
theatre
costume
monologue
The relationship between computers and calculations is that the former perform the latter. While it is used in an extended sense, we can say that an actor performs a monologue, not merely in the theatrical sense of “perform” but also in the sense of “doing.” The monologue of an actor is a given task—like a calculation for a computer—that he does. Furthermore, none of the other potential answers are quite specific to actors, indicating that they are unlikely candidates. Finally, none of the other options are specific actions to be done. For the reasons already mentioned, we need to have a specific action. For this reason, “monologue,” stands out as the best answer.
Example Question #2 : Tool/Use, User/Tool, Actor/Action, Product/Producer, Subject/Object
Raconteur is to stories as perjurer is to __________.
oath
court
lies
judged
pledge
lies
A “raconteur” is a person who is someone who can retell stories (often in an amusing way). The analogy could be read as stating, “As a raconteur is known for telling stories, so a perjurer is known for X.” When someone commits perjury, that person makes a false statement in court when he or she is under oath to speak the truth; therefore, the best option among those provided is “lies,” for this best describes that for which a perjurer would be characteristically known.
Example Question #3 : Tool/Use, User/Tool, Actor/Action, Product/Producer, Subject/Object
Seed is to descendents as tributary is to __________.
river
praise
accomplishment
remembrance
hero
river
A seed gives rise to descendents—whether we are discussing the seed of plants or the “seed” of animals (sperm). A tributary is a body of water that runs into a larger one, feeding it as well as helping to create it. It could be said that just as a seed gives rise to descendents—even for generations from one seed—so too does a tributary give rise to a river. Among the options, this is the only one that fits the analogy in any manner.
Example Question #4 : Tool/Use, User/Tool, Actor/Action, Product/Producer, Subject/Object
Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.
Minerals are to mine as timber is to __________.
lumber
wooden
chainsaw
forest
construction
forest
"Minerals" are extraceted from a "mine," much like "timber" is extracted from a "forest."
Example Question #5 : Tool/Use, User/Tool, Actor/Action, Product/Producer, Subject/Object
Choose the word that best completes each comparison.
Ivory is to elephants as pearl is to __________.
ocean
necklace
jewelry
crystal
oysters
oysters
"Ivory" is a precious material that comes from "elephants," just as valuable "pearls" come from "oysters.
Example Question #6 : Tool/Use, User/Tool, Actor/Action, Product/Producer, Subject/Object
Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.
Orchard is to apples as vineyard is to __________.
grapes
wine
farmers
oranges
trees
grapes
"Orchards" are the place where "apples" are grown; therefore "vineyards" are where "grapes" are grown.
Example Question #10 : Product And Producer
Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.
Ore is to steel as sap is to __________.
rubber
tree
sticky
gelatinous
famous
rubber
"Steel" is made of raw "ore," just as "rubber" is made from "sap."