High School Placement Test (HSPT) Practice Test

Counterfeit most nearly means:

1. mysterious

2. false

3. unreadable

4. priceless

The correct answer is: false

The term "counterfeit" refers to something that is made to imitate or replicate something else, often with the intention of deceiving or tricking someone. In most contexts, counterfeit items, such as money or documents, are designed to appear like the genuine article but are actually fraudulent and without real value. Therefore, the word "false" aptly captures this idea, as it indicates something that is not genuine or authentic. In contrast, the other options do not align with the meaning of "counterfeit." "Mysterious" suggests something that is difficult to understand or explain, which does not relate to the concept of falseness. "Unreadable" indicates something that cannot be easily read or understood, which does not imply anything about authenticity. "Priceless" means something that is so valuable that its worth cannot be determined, which contrasts sharply with the idea of counterfeit items that are essentially worthless. Thus, "false" is the most suitable synonym for "counterfeit."