HSPT key terms

A word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. For example, 'begin' and 'start' are synonyms, so recognizing them helps you match pairs in analogy and vocabulary questions.

A word that means the opposite of another word. For example, 'hot' and 'cold' are antonyms, so spotting opposites helps you eliminate wrong answer choices in verbal questions.

A comparison that shows how two pairs of words relate in the same way. For example, 'bird is to nest as bee is to hive' shows a creature-to-home relationship you must identify and match.

The skill of sorting items into groups based on shared features, or finding the one item that does not belong. It tests whether you can spot the common trait among words or numbers.

A group of things that share a common feature, such as 'fruits' or 'vehicles.' Recognizing which category a word belongs to helps you solve word-grouping and analogy questions.

A word part added to the beginning of a base word that changes its meaning, such as 'un-' in 'unhappy' or 'pre-' in 'preview.' Knowing common prefixes helps you decode unfamiliar words.

A word part added to the end of a base word that changes its meaning or part of speech, such as '-less' in 'fearless' or '-ly' in 'quickly.' Recognizing suffixes helps you figure out word meaning.

The basic part of a word that carries its core meaning and to which prefixes and suffixes are added. For example, 'port' meaning 'carry' appears in 'transport' and 'portable.'

Information in the surrounding words or sentences that helps you figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Using context clues lets you infer meaning without a dictionary.

The central point or most important message of a passage. Every other sentence supports or explains it, so identifying it helps you answer comprehension questions accurately.

A fact, example, or reason that explains or backs up the main idea of a passage. Details answer who, what, when, where, or why and give evidence for the central point.

A sentence, usually near the start of a paragraph, that states the paragraph's main idea. It guides the reader by announcing what the rest of the paragraph will explain.

A conclusion you draw by combining clues in the text with your own knowledge, even though the text does not state it directly. Inferences must be supported by evidence in the passage.

A judgment or decision reached after considering the information in a passage. It follows logically from the details given and answers questions about what the text suggests or proves.

A brief statement that restates the most important points of a passage in your own words. A good summary covers the main idea and key details without adding opinions.

The reason a writer creates a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain. Identifying the purpose helps you judge the tone and intent of a passage.

The attitude a writer expresses toward the subject, such as serious, humorous, or critical. Word choice reveals tone, which helps you interpret how the author feels about the topic.

A statement that can be proven true or false with evidence. Distinguishing facts from opinions helps you evaluate claims and answer critical-reading questions correctly.

A statement that expresses a belief, feeling, or judgment that cannot be proven true or false. Words like 'best' or 'should' often signal an opinion rather than a fact.

The order in which events or steps happen in a passage or problem. Recognizing sequence words like 'first,' 'then,' and 'finally' helps you follow directions and story events.

A comparison of two quantities by division, often written as a fraction or with a colon, such as 3:4. Ratios show how much of one thing there is compared with another.

An equation stating that two ratios are equal, such as 2/3 = 4/6. You solve proportions by cross-multiplying to find an unknown value.

A ratio that compares a number to 100, written with the % symbol. For example, 25% means 25 out of every 100, and percents are used to find parts of a whole.

The sum of a set of numbers divided by how many numbers there are. It gives a single value that represents the center of the data set.

The middle value in a set of numbers arranged in order from least to greatest. If there are two middle numbers, the median is their average.

The number that appears most often in a set of data. A data set may have one mode, more than one mode, or no mode at all.

The total distance around the outside of a flat shape. You find it by adding the lengths of all the sides, measured in linear units like inches or centimeters.

The amount of surface a flat shape covers, measured in square units such as square inches. For a rectangle, area equals length times width.

The amount of space a three-dimensional object occupies, measured in cubic units. For a rectangular box, volume equals length times width times height.

A number that represents part of a whole, written as one number over another, such as 3/4. The top number is the numerator and the bottom is the denominator.

A number written using a decimal point to show values less than one or place value, such as 0.75. Decimals can be converted to fractions and percents.

A whole number that can be positive, negative, or zero, such as -3, 0, or 7. Integers do not include fractions or decimals.

A letter or symbol that stands for an unknown number in an expression or equation, such as x in 2x + 5. Variables let you write general rules and solve for unknowns.

A mathematical statement that two expressions are equal, connected by an equals sign, such as 3 + 4 = 7. Solving an equation means finding the value that makes it true.

A combination of numbers, variables, and operations without an equals sign, such as 5x - 2. Expressions can be simplified or evaluated but not 'solved' like equations.

The rule that a subject and its verb must match in number, so a singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb.

A word that replaces a noun, such as he, she, it, or they. Pronouns must agree with the noun they replace in number and gender.

The noun that a pronoun refers back to in a sentence. For example, in 'Maria lost her book,' Maria is the antecedent of 'her.'

A group of words that is punctuated like a sentence but lacks a subject, a verb, or a complete thought. Fragments must be corrected by adding the missing part.

Two or more complete sentences joined without correct punctuation or a connecting word. Run-ons are fixed by adding a period, semicolon, or conjunction.

A word that connects words, phrases, or clauses, such as and, but, or because. Conjunctions help combine ideas and fix run-on sentences.

A word or phrase that describes or limits another word, such as an adjective or adverb. A misplaced modifier is placed too far from the word it describes, causing confusion.