HSPT Verbal : Location, Time, or Context

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #4 : Measurement, Storage, Location, And Material Composition

Italian is to occident as Chinese is to __________.

Possible Answers:

developing

unknown

foreign

alien

orient

Correct answer:

orient

Explanation:

The words “occident” and “orient” describe the West and the East respectively. The word “occident” comes from the Latin for “setting” in the sense of the sun’s evening “setting.”  Since the sun sets—goes down—in the West, the West became called the “occident”—the land of the setting sun. The east, on the other hand, is the land of the rising sun. The Latin from which “orient” comes means “to rise.” The Christmas song, “We Three Kings” speaks of them as being from the “Orient.” The implication is that the kings came “from the east.” As something Italian is “western” (occidental) so is something Chinese “oriental.” 

Example Question #364 : Analogies

Season is to year as week is to __________.

Possible Answers:

hebdomadal

fourfold

lunar

month

division

Correct answer:

month

Explanation:

A season is a subdivision of the year, so the bridge sentence for this analogy could be written, “As a season is a subdivision of the year, so is the week a subdivision of X.” Although a week can be said to subdivide a year, it more closely subdivides a month. In any event, this is the only option provided, so it is the acceptable answer for this question.

Example Question #365 : Analogies

Monastery is to silence as metropolis is to __________.

Possible Answers:

democracy

roads

politics

racket

theatre

Correct answer:

racket

Explanation:

At least in theory, monasteries are supposed to be places of silence. This analogy is very specific, but a bridge sentence could be written, “As the sound in a monastery is in a state of silence, so is it in a state of X in a metropolis.” A metropolis is the most important city in a region, hence one that is very busy and developed. Such an area would be known for its racket—loud sounds—among other things. Even if you read “silence” as a general characteristic for monasteries, none of the other options provide a general characteristic word for metropolis, so “racket” would be the only acceptable option.

Example Question #353 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Hungary is to Europe as Thailand is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Earth

country

temples

America

Asia

Correct answer:

Asia

Explanation:

"Hungary" is a country on the continent of "Europe," just as "Thailand" is a country in "Asia."

Example Question #354 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Choose the word that best completes each comparison.

Metropolitan is to city as pastoral is to __________.

Possible Answers:

farmland

transportation

reverent

dense

suburbs

Correct answer:

farmland

Explanation:

"Metropolitan" is often used to describe "cities," just as "pastoral" can be used to describe "farmland."

Example Question #355 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Chicago is to Illinois as Houston is to __________.

Possible Answers:

rockets

Texas

San Antonio

Dallas

urban

Correct answer:

Texas

Explanation:

"Chicago" is a large city in the state of "Illinois", much like "Houston" is a city in "Texas."

Example Question #366 : Analogies

Choose the answer that best completes the comparison.

Solar is to sun as lunar is to __________.

Possible Answers:

night

obscure

landing

moon

freezing

Correct answer:

moon

Explanation:

"Solar" pertains to the "sun," just as "lunar" pertains to the "moon."

Example Question #357 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Choose the best answer that completes the comparison.

Napoleon is to France as Caesar is to __________.

Possible Answers:

dictator

Rome

Greece

salad

general

Correct answer:

Rome

Explanation:

"Napoleon" was a general from "France," just as "Caesar" was also a general and leader from "Rome". . . and also a salad, but that is an incorrect comparison.

Example Question #358 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Choose the word that best completes the comparison.

Paris is to France as Tokyo is to __________.

Possible Answers:

Asia

Japan

sushi

skyscrapers

volcano

Correct answer:

Japan

Explanation:

"Paris" is the capital city of "France," therefore "Tokyo" is the capital city of "Japan."

Example Question #1 : Location, Time, Or Context

Answer the question by choosing the word that best completes the comparison.

India is to country as Africa is to __________.

Possible Answers:

nation

Japan

continent

safari

Botswana

Correct answer:

continent

Explanation:

"India" is a "country," just as "Africa" is a "continent" (not a country!).

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