HSPT Verbal : Antonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Value, and Rarity
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Antonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Value, And Rarity
An antonym of "stock" is __________.
economical
unusual
stored
madrigal
exchanged
unusual
Several of the options try to make you think of "stock" in the sense of "stock market" or the "stock in a store." None of the options, however, function as antonyms even for these meanings of "stock." The word can also mean "ordinary," as in, "He used all of the stock tricks when giving the magic show"—meaning that the magician was not too amazing. It is as though he or she took out the basic tricks from the "stock" that he or she had. Hence, the best antonym for this use of "stock" is "unusual."
Example Question #2 : Antonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Value, And Rarity
An antonym of "consummate" is __________.
decided
adjudicated
excellent
flawed
prominent
flawed
The adjective "consummate" describes something that is the best in a given category—or at least one of the best things in that category. If nothing else, it indicates that something is flawless or perfect. The "consummate pianist" is someone who is a great pianist. In contrast to this, the word "flawed" is an excellent antonym.
Example Question #3 : Antonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Value, And Rarity
An antonym of "economical" is __________.
familial
laborious
exorbitant
filial
personal
exorbitant
Something is called "economical" when it is priced in a way that gives the most value per dollar. For instance, a car that is cheap, small, gets good gas mileage, and requires little maintenance is quite economical. In contrast to this, something exorbitant is very expensive—often to the point of making little financial sense. While we might think of better antonyms than this, of the options provided, this is the best match, for the others do not function as antonyms in any proper sense. (However, some options like "familial" and "laborious" attempt to trick you into thinking these things are contrasted to the "economy" in the sense that we normally use that word.)
Example Question #4 : Antonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Value, And Rarity
An antonym of "mediocre" is __________.
surprising
unexpected
exemplary
popular
famous
exemplary
Something that is "mediocre" is merely "okay" in its quality—often even implying that it is not of very good quality at all. A number of the options provided are meant to trap you into a wrong answer. Something that is excellent—the opposite of mediocre—might indeed be "surprising," "famous," or "unexpected." However, the best option is "exemplary," a word which describes something that is very excellent—to the point of being an "example" or standard for other things of a similar type. This best captures a direct opposition to mediocrity.
Example Question #5 : Antonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Value, And Rarity
An antonym of "peerless" is __________.
conventional
fixated
tedious
dull
remarkable
conventional
Among humans, peers are people who are "equal." To be "peerless" means to be without anyone or anything that is your equal. A "peerless diamond" is one that is of such quality or beauty that it cannot be matched by another. Therefore, the word "peerless" means unrivaled. A convention is a generally held belief or practice, and something that is "conventional" is done in accord with such general beliefs or practices. Such things are very ordinary and repeatable. This is quite different from something that we would call "peerless."
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