High School Placement Test (HSPT) Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the High School Placement Test. Utilize resources with multiple-choice questions, detailed solutions, and expert tips. Ace your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


What is the meaning of 'anomaly'?

  1. Normal occurrence

  2. Deviation from the norm

  3. Commonplace event

  4. Predictable outcome

The correct answer is: Deviation from the norm

The term 'anomaly' refers to something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected. In various contexts, it indicates an irregularity or an exception to a rule or principle. Therefore, when we consider the choices, the answer that defines 'anomaly' as a deviation from the norm fits perfectly, highlighting that it signifies something unusual or atypical. The other options imply a sense of normalcy or predictability, which contradicts the essence of what an anomaly represents. For example, a normal occurrence, commonplace event, and predictable outcome all suggest typical scenarios that would not align with the concept of anomaly, which is inherently about identifying differences or exceptional cases. This understanding reinforces why the second choice is the most accurate definition of 'anomaly.'