HSPT Verbal : Antonyms: Other Adjectives
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Antonyms: Other Adjectives
An antonym of "brilliant" is __________.
impoverished
intellectual
fastidious
obscure
laboring
obscure
Several of the wrong answers attempt to have you associate "brilliant" with the sense of being intelligent—a standard and acceptable usage. However, none of these wrong options are well enough matched as antonyms—they would have to be explicitly opposed to such intellectual ability. Instead, "brilliant" is being used here in a more literal and physical sense—describing something that is bright in the light. Something can be physically "obscure" when it is shadowed or darkened. (From this, we talk about an "obscure idea," which is perhaps the more standard use of the word "obscure" in our day-to-day talk.)
Example Question #2 : Antonyms: Other Adjectives
An antonym of "copious" is __________.
cheap
vulgar
filthy
meager
impatient
meager
The word "copious" comes from the Latin for store or plenty. When something is "copious," it exists in great quantities. The best antonym is "meager," meaning little in quantity or quality.
Example Question #3 : Antonyms: Other Adjectives
An antonym of "vulgar" is __________.
miserable
refined
quiet
musical
taciturn
refined
We tend to think of "vulgar" in the sense of "vulgarity" or the use of swear words; however, this notion comes from the general notion or meaning of "vulgar," which comes from the Latin meaning pertaining to the ordinary people. Something vulgar is lacking in refinement or culture. Therefore, the best antonym among the options provided is "refined," meaning elegant or cultured.
Example Question #4 : Antonyms: Other Adjectives
An antonym of "blatant" is __________.
recognizable
misquoted
truthful
concealed
veracious
concealed
When an action is "blatant," it is done without any attempt to hide it. Perhaps you have heard the expression used, "That was a blatant lie," (or some other close expression like that). Such a sentence means "That was a total lie—without any attempt to hide the fact." In contrast to this, a concealed act is one that is hidden—or at least an attempt is made to hide the act. This is a good contrast to something done blatantly.
Example Question #5 : Antonyms: Other Adjectives
An antonym of "innocuous" is __________.
viral
detrimental
technical
bacterial
curable
detrimental
The verb "inoculate" is likely more familiar than the adjective "innocuous." When we get inoculated for a virus, we receive a vaccine (or other kind of treatment) to remove the danger of getting the illness in question. Something that is "innocuous" is therefore something that is not dangerous or harmful. When something is "detrimental," it causes harm. Often, we use this word in expressions like "It was much to his detriment that he did not study a language at a younger age." The idea in such expressions is that it harms his present state of life that he did not study a language when he was younger. Something detrimental is not innocuous.
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