Verbal Classifications: Nouns - HSPT Language Skills

The related words here are perhaps a bit perplexing, for they include a mixture of contradictory terms. On the one hand, you have “agreement” and “consensus,” while on the other you are presented with “dispute” and “contention.” A consensus is a form of agreement, and contention is strife and disagreement; however, note that all of these words do share the notion of indicating things pertaining to agreement or lack thereof. In contrast to this, a legislature is at best the place where such agreement and disagreement occur. It does not indicate such agreement or disagreement itself.

All of the related words pertain to some kind of undulating motion—that is, to the motion that we find in waves. Something that is “billowing” is wave like (as though produced by waves of emitted substance—like smoke, etc). Ripples on the surface of water are little waves. The word “swing” does describe a motion but not necessarily the kind of motion found in waves. Swinging is a back and forth motion, not a rising and falling, wave-like motion.

All of the related words pertain to some kind of exchange between two parties—whether in an agreeable fashion or in disagreement. While debates and (particularly) disputes can be contentious and argumentative, they are still a type of active exchange between parties. A “questionnaire” is really a passive type of data interchange. Certainly, someone writes a questionnaire and gives it to the people who will answer it; however, there is no “back and forth” when someone receives a questionnaire (as there is in the case of all of our related words).

The set of related words here all include some notion of forcefulness in communication. While “announcement” merely indicates the fact that someone has promulgated some kind of information in a formal manner. A bombast is a speech that is made in an inflated form of speech, attempting to impress others. Blustering is an aggressive form of speaking. To rant is to speak in a passionate, often wild manner. Finally, to fulminate is to speak in protest in a strong manner. All of these words are far more forceful than the much more bland “announcement.”

All of these words describe some sort of ornamentation or jewelry. Do not be tricked into thinking that either decoration or ornament differs from the group. All five are actually somehow related to being a small item of decorative purposes—whether on a person or merely on a shelf. The real difference that sets “trinket” apart from the other words is the fact that a trinket is a small and often cheap ornament. This word alone indicates such inexpensiveness.

All of these options describe types of long clothing, neither pertaining to men or women necessarily. A gown, robe, or cloak could all be worn by either a man or by a women; however, note that all of the incorrect options do describe clothing that completely covers the body. Even a cloak, though an outer garment, completely covers the legs (generally, at least). It is different from a cap, which is often shorter and more decorative. In contrast to these options, a “skirt” merely “begins at the waist.” It is thus more limited in its coverage.

"Shade," "shutters," "curtains," and "blinds" are all different types of coverings for windows. "Window" does not fit with this group of words because it is the object that is covered, not a covering.

Although all of these words are types of drinks, "lemonade" does not fit with the rest for multiple reasons. First, all four other drinks are usually served hot and lemonade is usually served cold or lukewarm. Secondly, black tea, coffee, hot chocolate and espresso all contain caffeine and lemonade does not. Third, lemonade is usually yellow in color. Black tea, coffee, hot chocolate and espresso are usually dark brown or black in color.

"Base," "diamond," "mound," and "park" are all words associated with baseball. There are four bases that players run to that make the shape of a diamond. The pitcher stands on a mound, and games are played at a ballpark. When a batter hits a home run, they are said to have it the ball "out of the park." A pineapple does not have anything to do with baseball or even sports at all.

A spider belongs to the arachnid family. Whales, squirrels, horses and rabbits are all mammals.

A "calculator" is a machine that makes mathematical calculations. A watch, sundial, clock and hourglass are all instruments that can be used to measure time.

Although all of these words are a type of vegetable, "beets" are red. All of the other vegetables listed are green.

All of these words are a type of sport. This means we have to think about what makes each sport unique. In this case, "football" is the only sport on the list that does not use a round ball.

"Pizza" does not belong with the other words because it is not a kind of dessert. All four of the other words are eaten for dessert. ("Mousse" is a kind of creamy pudding.)

"Canada" does not belong with the other words because it is a country, while of the other words are continents. There are seven continents: Asia, Africa, Australia, Antarctica, Europe, South America and North America. "Canada" is a country in North America. "Australia" is both a country and a continent.

All of these words are a type of plant. "Corn" is a grain. "Marigolds," "pansies," "daisies" and "roses" are types of flowers. "Corn" does not belong with the other words.

"Silt" does not belong with the other words. "Silt" is a type of fine sand or dirt, usually found in a body of water. All of the other words are types of geographic features. A "plateau" is a relatively flat place of high ground. (Think of a hill or mountain with the top cut off.) A "mountain" is a large, steep hill. A "delta" is usually a triangular shaped deposit of rich sediment at the mouth of a river. A "coast" is where any land meets the ocean.

All of these words describe a family member. "Brother" does not belong with the other words because it describes a male family member. "Grandmother," "mother," "aunt," and "sister" all describe female family members.

"Math", "history", and "literature" are all school subjects. A library can be found in most schools, but it is not an actual subject like the others.

Three of these answers refer to an actual illness. A headache is just a symptom, and not an actual illness.