HSPT Verbal : Verbal Classifications: Multiple or Other Parts of Speech

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Verbal Classifications: Multiple Or Other Parts Of Speech

Which word does not belong with the others?

Possible Answers:

car

plane

fly

train

Correct answer:

fly

Explanation:

"Car", "plane", and "train" all describe different modes of transportation.  "Fly" describes a method of transportation, and would belong with "drive" or "run" or "walk".

Example Question #1 : Verbal Classifications: Multiple Or Other Parts Of Speech

Which word does not belong with the others?

Possible Answers:

instantaneous

prolonged

blitz

immediate

swift

Correct answer:

prolonged

Explanation:

Notice that each of the similar words pertains to something brief, immediate, or short-lived. Probably the only word that is a bit out of the ordinary among those provided is “blitz.” If you are an American football fan, you will know this word, but the original meaning (which is related) antedates the sport. It means “a quick and / or sudden attack.” The word is sometimes applied to the game of chess when moves must be made very quickly in sequence with little time between them. Something “prolonged” is neither blitz-like nor immediate (or any of the other related words).

Example Question #1 : Verbal Classifications: Multiple Or Other Parts Of Speech

Which word does not belong with the others?

Possible Answers:

malnourished

underfed

starved

famished

extremity

Correct answer:

extremity

Explanation:

All of the related words pertain to the state of being underfed or lacking food. To be famished is to be in a state of extreme hunger, and to be “malnourished” is to lack appropriate nutrients, either because lack of diet or at least lack of appropriate food intake. While someone who is starving is in a state of extremity—great difficulty and suffering—the word “extremity” can be applied to many other things than starving.

Example Question #2 : Verbal Classifications: Multiple Or Other Parts Of Speech

Which word does not belong with the others?

Possible Answers:

erratic

irregular

regular

uniform

schedule

Correct answer:

schedule

Explanation:

All of the “related” words appear to be rather unrelated. This mutual opposition should be a key, however. Note that regularity / irregularity as well as uniformity and being erratic all pertain to how some activity matches a pattern (or does not do so). The case of “schedule” merely describes a potential pattern. It is not an evaluation of the following thereof.

Example Question #3 : Verbal Classifications: Multiple Or Other Parts Of Speech

Which word does not belong with the others?

Possible Answers:

psychological

depression

dementia

mania

schizophrenia

Correct answer:

psychological

Explanation:

You may well have gotten this question correct because “psychological” appears quite less harmful than any of the other options listed; however, this is not the proper reason for that word not “fitting” with the others. Instead, each of these listed maladies are types of psychological disturbances. In distinction to this grouping, the word “psychological” is a broad category into which the others could be placed. It thus differs qualitatively from the other options.

Example Question #2 : Verbal Classifications: Multiple Or Other Parts Of Speech

Which word does not belong with the others?

Possible Answers:

cogitation

contemplative

reflective

religious

pensive

Correct answer:

religious

Explanation:

Each of the related words pertains to deep thought. A contemplative person is someone gives deep thought to matters. He or she might also be someone who is prayerful, but the word is used in this latter sense because it indicates a recollected state of thoughtfulness. The word “cogitation” is related to “recognize,” which literally means “to know again.” Cogitation is deep thought about something. To be “pensive” is to be reflective in temperament. It is related to the Latin word for “to weigh,” which is found in English words like “compensate” and “expensive.” When we compensate someone, we weight out how much they should receive in payment. Only the word religious does not necessarily indicate contemplativeness. This is not meant as an insult to religion, but is merely an observation that many can be called “religious” but not have a contemplative personality. Such persons can often do great charitable deeds, but this is not the same as being contemplative or pensive. This could or could not be the case, depending on the religious person in question.

Example Question #4 : Verbal Classifications: Multiple Or Other Parts Of Speech

Which word does not belong with the others?

Possible Answers:

lead

conduct

ushering

behavior

guide

Correct answer:

behavior

Explanation:

All of the related words for this question pertain to leading or guiding. Likely the most troublesome word in this group is “conduct”—if you read it as being “somebody’s manner of acting;” however, remember that “conduct” can also mean “to lead” (as in a “conductor” who directs a train on its way or an orchestral conductor who leads an orchestra). Only “behavior” does not fit this group, for it is far too broad and does not signify leading in any explicit manner.

Example Question #2 : Verbal Classifications: Multiple Or Other Parts Of Speech

Which word does not belong with the others?

Possible Answers:

languid

concentration

vibrant

sluggish

ebullient

Correct answer:

concentration

Explanation:

The set of related words all indicate something that pertains to someone’s energy level. A sluggish or languid person is slow and lacks energy. In contrast, someone who is “ebullient” is full or energy (and perhaps cheerful in a “bubbly” way). A vibrant personality is one that is enthusiastic and energetic. To speak of “concentration” does not necessarily indicate anything (one way or the other) pertaining to energy. It is therefore the word that is not related to the others.

Example Question #1071 : Hspt Verbal Skills

Which word does not belong with the others?

Possible Answers:

singularity

oddity

idiosyncracy

conventional

quirk

Correct answer:

conventional

Explanation:

The related set of words all pertain to some character trait that is identifying or at least rather unique. An idiosyncrasy is a character trait that is only had by a single person. If someone has a particular way clicking his or her tongue while talking, that could be called an idiosyncrasy. An oddity is something that is out of the ordinary—an odd person “just doesn’t fit in.” A quirk is an odd type of behavior or occurrence. Only “conventional” indicates something that is “normal” or generally known or accepted. A “societal convention” is a normal pattern of behavior that is found in some society as a whole.

Example Question #3 : Verbal Classifications: Multiple Or Other Parts Of Speech

Which word does not belong with the others?

Possible Answers:

believing

nihilism

meaningful

faithful

hopeful

Correct answer:

nihilism

Explanation:

All of the related words assert some sort of belief that there is meaning (or at least hope thereof). "Nihilism" generally means the state of believing that there is no meaning in the world or life. In comparison with this, being faithful or believing is quite different—for faith and belief of any type imply that some meaning is anticipated. Also, to be hopeful is to look for something to come about—which likewise signifies some hope of meaning. Certainly, meaningful is quite different than believing that there is no meaning at all.

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