Question 1

apparition : translucent ::

Accepted Answer

An apparition is a ghostly-appearing phantom that is translucent, meaning that light can pass through it, but objects on the other side of it are not clearly visible. Translucent describes an innate quality of an apparition. Therefore, look for a pair that has a similar relationship. Clothing that is dingy has been soiled, so eliminate that choice. A child that is emaciated is thin and wasting away, so eliminate that choice. An idea that is grandiose is high-flying and extravagant. That does not have the same relationship as the pair in choice (A). A tumbler is a drinking glass. Because glass can be seen through, it has the quality of being transparent. Therefore, choice (A) is the most appropriate answer.

Question 2

abysmal : dreadful ::

Accepted Answer

If something is abysmal, it is dreadful or extremely bad. Abysmal and dreadful are synonyms, so you are looking for a pair of words that are synonyms. In this case, superb and splendid are synonyms. All of the other pairs (outstanding/terrible, obtuse/intelligent, imperceptive/sensitive) are antonyms, so eliminate those.

Question 3

auspicious : unfavorable ::

Accepted Answer

Auspicious means encouraging or promising, the opposite of unfavorable. So, look for the answer choice that is made up of antonyms. Egregious and flagrant are synonyms that mean extraordinary in a negative way. Fastidious and meticulous both mean being very careful with details, to the point of being fussy or finicky. Exorbitant means excessive and inflated. The only choice that does not contain synonyms is choice (C). Maudlin means overemotional, sentimental, and sappy, not unemotional.

Question 4

crescendo : diminuendo ::

Accepted Answer

Crescendo means to gradually become louder, and diminuendo means to gradually become softer, so those words are antonyms. So, look for the answer choice pair that are opposites. Adagio and lento both mean a slow tempo, as do largo and grave, so answer choices (A) and (B) are incorrect. In choice (D), bass means the lowest male voice, and contralto means the lowest female voice. They do not have the same relationship as the first half of the analogy, so eliminate that choice.

Question 5

acerbic : bitter ::

Accepted Answer

Acerbic means bitter, harsh, or severe, so the first half of the analogy is synonymous. So, look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. Choice (B) is incorrect, because affluent means wealthy or prosperous, and indigent means poor or penniless. Choice (C) is incorrect, because impromptu means unplanned or improvised, not rehearsed. Choice (D) is incorrect, because incendiary means inflammatory, and conciliatory means to pacify or reconcile. All of the answer choices except (A) are antonyms. Choice (A) is correct because anachronistic and archaic are synonyms for outdated or obsolete.

Question 6

ameliorate : improve ::

Accepted Answer

Ameliorate means to make something better, or to improve. Therefore, the first half of the analogy is synonymous. So, look for the pair in the answer choices that are synonyms. Choice (A) is incorrect, because insolent means rude or impertinent, not courteous. Choice (B) is incorrect because impermeable means impassable, and something that is porous is permeable by water, air, etc. Choice (D) is incorrect because someone who is verbose is talkative, and someone who is taciturn is quiet and introverted. All of the choices except choice (C) are antonyms. Choice (C) is correct because a gaffe and a blunder are synonyms meaning 'mistake'.

Question 7

conciliatory : provocative ::

Accepted Answer

A person who is conciliatory is a peace-maker, and tries to appease. A provocative person is one who is confrontational and challenges others. These terms are opposites, so look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. Copious and abundant are synonyms that mean having large amounts. Something that is fortuitous is accidental or unexpected, in a positive way. Something that is tedious is monotonous, meaning tiresome and boring. Choice (B) contains the antonyms. Diminutive means small, and colossal means very large, so choice (B) is correct.

Question 8

rambunctious : child ::

Accepted Answer

A rambunctious child is one who is out of control, so look for the answer choice with a similar relationship. Opulent means luxurious, which could describe nuptials, or a wedding, but the relationship between that pair is dissimilar from the first pair. A pastoral landscape is one that is calm and tranquil. Prodigious means unusual, and is not usually used to describe a mammal. The only choice that has a similar relationship to the first half of the analogy is choice (D). Rapids that are turbulent are chaotic, violent, and out of control, similar to a rambunctious child.

Question 9

enthrall : mesmerize ::

Accepted Answer

To enthrall means to charm, captivate, or mesmerize. Therefore, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (A), to relinquish means to give up, not to retain or keep. Choice (C) is incorrect because the pair is antonyms. Stagnate means to be idle or stand still, not to revolutionize. Choice (D) is incorrect because to congeal means to thicken or set, not to liquefy. The only choice that contains synonyms is choice (B). To stipulate means to specify or instruct.

Question 10

ebullient : jovial ::

Accepted Answer

Ebullient and jovial both mean cheerful and bright, so look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. Choice (A) is incorrect because someone who is unassuming is modest and humble, not arrogant. Choice (C) is incorrect because abashed means embarrassed or ashamed, not brazen or shameless. Choice (D) is incorrect because puerile means childish, and therefore not mature. Choice (B) is the answer pair that contains synonyms, as languid means relaxed and leisurely.

Question 11

duplicity : treachery ::

Accepted Answer

Duplicity and treachery are synonyms that mean deceitful or fraudulent. So, look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. In choice (B), repulsion means disgust, while something that has allure is appealing or desirable. Choice (C) is incorrect because surfeit means excess or oversupply, not a deficit or lack of something. Choice (D) is incorrect because terrestrial means earthly or global, not otherworldly. Choice (A) is the only answer pair that contains synonyms. Pejorative means the same a depreciatory, that is, critical or uncomplimentary.

Question 12

lassitude : weariness ::

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, lassitude and weariness are synonyms for exhaustion. Therefore, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (A), plethora means an overabundance, the opposite of scarcity. In choice (C), moderation means restraint or without excess, while surfeit means a surplus or oversupply. These words are not closely related, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), a retrospective is something that looks back to the past, not something to anticipate. Choice (B) contains synonyms. Deportment is another word for behavior or conduct.

Question 13

banal : commonplace

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, banal means lacking originality, or commonplace, so look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. In choice (A), someone who is assiduous is diligent and hard-working; cognizant means aware, so those words are not clearly related. In choice (C), disparate means different, which is the opposite of homogeneous. In choice (D), someone who is ignoble is dishonorable, not dignified. In choice (B), covetous and avaricious are synonyms; they mean greedy and desirous of something.

Question 14

nascent : burgeoning ::

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, nascent means budding or burgeoning - new. These are synonyms, so look for the choice that contains synonyms. In choice (A), involute means complex, not simple, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), prosaic means everyday or dull, the opposite of inspiring. In choice (D), saturnine means gloomy or dark, not optimistic, so eliminate that choice. The only choice that contains synonyms is (B). Someone who is lachrymose is tearful, so (B) is correct.

Question 15

bombast : pompous

Accepted Answer

A bombast is a pompous speech, so in this word set, the second word is descriptive of the first one. You can eliminate choice (A), because a junket or trip might require an itinerary, but an itinerary is not an adjective that describes junket. In choice (B), a largess is a generous gift, and may or may not be given in a discreet or cautious way, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), a maelstrom is a violent whirlpool, and does not have anything to do with being Machiavellian or crafty, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), an encomium is a formal, praising eulogy, so that is the correct answer.

Quiz 5: Hesi: Vocabulary