Test Prep HSPT Test Exam Prep
High School Placement Test (Page 15 )

Updated On: 7-Oct-2026

"Temper" most closely means __________.

  1. exhilaration
  2. exultation
  3. strengthen
  4. overbearing
  5. despot

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Although we think of “temper” as having to do with someone’s disposition (or the state of being angry in particular), the word does have the additional use of to harden. The word is related to Latin roots meaning to mix.
When one makes “tempered steel,” it is heated and cooled in order to change its hardness.
While it is heated, other materials might be added to the steel to alter its condition. Among the options, the only one that matches this sense is “strengthen.” The other options appear to deal with “temperament,” but none of them are general enough even to fit that usage.



"Divert" most closely means __________.

  1. overcome
  2. redirect
  3. obstruct
  4. dam
  5. barricade

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The word “divert” comes from two root words that you may know. The “di-” prefix can often mean away from. The “-vert” is found in words like “convert,” “versatile,” “advertise” (as well as many other words). It comes from the Latin for to turn. To “divert” something means to turn something away from its course. Thus, one could think of it meaning something like to deflect or to redirect. For instance, one could say, “The city decided to divert the course of the stream in order to have it flow several miles to the west of the borders of the town.” A “diversion” is something that is meant to take someone’s attention away from another thing or event. For example, in a crime, someone might play the role of “setting up a diversion” in order to allow the robber to do his illegal act without getting caught.



Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
COALESCE

  1. Fossilize
  2. Heal
  3. Unite
  4. Uncover
  5. Recover

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Among these options, “heal” and “recover” are attempting to get you to confuse this word with “convalesce,” which means to recover or to regain strength. The word “coalesce” comes from the prefix “co-,” meaning together or with, and “-alesce,” which is derived from the Latin for to nourish or to grow up.
When things “coalesce,” they come together, forming a larger whole. For instance, one could say, “All of the ingredients cooked down and coalesced into a single, homogeneous stew.” The word “adolescence” means a stage of growing to maturity, and is related to the word “coalesce.”



Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRETENTIOUS

  1. Fictitious
  2. Ostentatious
  3. Unreal
  4. Illusory
  5. Ephemeral

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Although the word “pretentious” is related to the word “pretend,” do not be fooled. “Pretend” literally means to stretch forward in the sense of taking or claiming something. The “-tend” means stretch, as is found in “extend.” The “pre-” does not mean before in a temporal sense but instead in the physical sense – e.g. “he stood before the magistrate.” When someone is pretentious, he or she claims to be something that he or she is not, often doing so with much fanfare to draw attention. The word “ostentatious” means much the same, itself being derived from Latin roots meaning to stretch out to show.



“Edifice” most nearly means __________.

  1. resolve
  2. delicatessen
  3. building
  4. resolution
  5. restaurant

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

The word “edifice” comes from Latin roots either literally meaning “building” or also “to make a building.” When we “edify” someone, we “build them up” or improve them. The best option is the very general term “building” and none of the more specific building types mentioned.



Viewing page 15 of 186
Viewing questions 71 - 75 out of 924 questions


Post your Comments and Discuss Test Prep HSPT Test exam prep with other Community members:

AI Tutor AI Tutor 👋 I’m here to help!