HSPT Verbal Skills

HSPT Verbal Skills focuses on enhancing vocabulary, reading comprehension, and verbal reasoning skills essential for success on the HSPT.

Vocabulary BuildingReading ComprehensionVerbal Reasoning
Context Clues and Word MeaningsCritical Reading and InferenceAnalogies and Word Relationships
Communicating EffectivelyUnderstanding Instructions and DirectionsSolving Word Problems
Process of EliminationTime Management
Vocabulary BuildingReading Comprehensio...Verbal ReasoningContext Clues and Wo...Critical Reading and...Analogies and Word R...Communicating Effect...Understanding Instru...Solving Word Problem...Process of Eliminati...Time Management
Basic Concepts

Vocabulary Building

Why Vocabulary Matters

Building your vocabulary is like collecting tools for your mind! The more words you know, the better you can understand questions, express yourself, and solve problems on the HSPT.

Ways to Grow Your Vocabulary

  • Read every day: Books, articles, comics, and even song lyrics can introduce you to new words.
  • Use flashcards: Make your own or use apps to test yourself on tricky words.
  • Practice in context: Try using new words in your conversations or writing.

Unlocking Word Meanings

Look for prefixes, suffixes, and roots. For example, the prefix un- means "not," so "unhappy" means "not happy."

Fun with Synonyms and Antonyms

Learning words with similar meanings (synonyms) or opposite meanings (antonyms) helps you understand shades of meaning and makes your language more colorful.

Real-World Application

A strong vocabulary helps you write better essays, understand instructions, and even impress your friends (or teachers) with your knowledge!

Examples

  • If you know 'benevolent' means kind, you'll understand the sentence: 'The benevolent teacher helped everyone.'

  • Guessing that 'predictable' means 'able to be predicted' if you know the root 'predict.'

In a Nutshell

Learning new words boosts your understanding and expression.

Key Terms

Prefix
A group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning.
Synonym
A word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word.
Antonym
A word that means the opposite of another word.
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Reading Comprehension