All HSPT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery
"Inelastic" most nearly means __________.
wooden
rubbery
resilient
metallic
rigid
rigid
In its physical sense, the word "elastic" means bendable or flexible. Hence, we use it to describe things like "elastic bands" that are used for gathering together items. When something is "inelastic" it is not flexible in that way. The "in-" prefix is a privative prefix, meaning that it means not. (This is much like the prefix "un-.") Therefore, something that is "inelastic" could be said to be rigid.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
"Chimerical" most nearly means __________.
illusory
amazing
laconic
inorganic
lucid
illusory
A "chimera" is a kind of mythological creature, but generally the word has come to signify something that cannot possibly occur or exist in reality. Therefore, when something is described as being "chimerical," it is an illusion—something "illusory."
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery
"Scintillating" most nearly means __________.
beautiful
luminous
fecund
engrossing
languid
luminous
The word "scintillating" comes from the Latin word for "spark" (as in a spark of fire or light). Something that is scintillating has the kind of spark or glow of such a fire. Therefore, it means bright. Something that is "luminous" is very bright or enlightened.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
MACABRE
Understated
Methodical
Panicked
Gruesome
Protective
Gruesome
“Macabre” means gruesome, horrifying, or pertaining to death, so "gruesome" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to “macabre”. “Understated” means modest or simple. “Protective” means defensive or shielding. “Panicked” means frightened. “Methodical” means systematic.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OPULENT
Complex
Putrid
Benevolent
Sumptuous
Opaque
Sumptuous
"Opulent" is an adjective that means lavish, and since "sumptuous" means expensive-looking, it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "opulent," so it is the correct answer.
Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IMPERVIOUS
Flawless
Independent
Unaffected
Insignificant
Stained
Unaffected
"Impervious" means not letting things pass through, or unaffected by something. One might write, "While everyone else got sick, Michael seemed impervious to germs."
Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SINEWY
Vulgar
Upright
Ecstatic
Brief
Stringy
Stringy
"Sinewy" means tough, stringy, or strong.
Example Question #845 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GARISH
Frightening
Delightful
Proper
Lurid
Severe
Lurid
"Garish" means too bright and showy, and the correct answer "lurid" means having a color so bright that it is unpleasant. The other choices do not have similar definitions: "delightful" means fun and joyful, "proper" means appropriate, "severe" means harsh, and "frightening" means scary.
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