All PSAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #881 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
As the director lowered his arms, all one hundred of the Christmas carolers __________ began to sing a lively version of a popular carol in unison.
frigidly
simultaneously
intermittenly
tumultuously
callously
simultaneously
Only simultaneously means "in unison" or occurring at the same time.
Example Question #892 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The burglar must not have been too __________ leaving the scene of the crime; three different neighbors saw him exit the corner house with stolen goods in his arms.
surreptitious
irreverent
audacious
cogent
overt
surreptitious
"Surreptitious" means secretive. Since the burglar was seen by various people, he could not have been too surreptitious.
Example Question #893 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Jaded and __________, the aspiring young journalist decided to abandon his dream career due to the scarcity of writing jobs.
agile
inarticulate
despondent
corpulent
relentless
despondent
"Despondent" means lacking hope. Since the journalist opted to abandon his dream job, he must have been despondent.
Example Question #1011 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Annette was enthused about pawning what she thought was a solid gold ring, but after some examination, her sister informed her that it was merely a __________ piece of jewelry.
gilded
ubiquitous
mysterious
admonished
harangue
gilded
A gilded piece of jewelry is superficially covered with gold but not gold throughout.
Example Question #1012 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The recent discovery of oil on the property has led analysts to believe that the construction of refineries in the area will soon prove to be a very __________ investment.
demented
deleterious
lukewarm
vapid
lucrative
lucrative
Only "lucrative" means prosperous or financially promising.
Example Question #1013 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Termites are known to invade and destroy homes in such a(n) __________ nature that one does not notice their presence until it is too late.
incomprehensible
industrious
benign
insidious
invincible
insidious
"Insidious" means dangerous in a subtle way. Since the termites cause great damage to homes without the homeowners noticing, they can be described as "insidious."
Example Question #2391 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ fishermen pressed on for port despite the treacherous conditions of the sea that night.
itinerant
intrepid
irksome
insouciant
innocuous
intrepid
These fisherman were pressing on despite difficult circumstances. This description matches well with the meaning of "intrepid," an adjective that means fearless or bold.
Example Question #902 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The doctor reassured the worried mother that the vaccine he was giving her child was completely __________ and that her baby was not in any danger.
intrepid
insipid
innocuous
inscrutable
insouciant
innocuous
"Innocuous" means harmless, and if the doctor told the mother that her the baby wouldn't be in any danger, the meaning of "innocuous" fits the context of the sentence.
Example Question #903 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Living in Boston was __________ for the young couple, as all of their friends and family were still in California and they felt like they didn't know anyone.
dismantling
arduous
deploring
encumbering
delineating
arduous
"Arduous" means difficult and tiring. Living in a big city full of strangers can certainly be difficult and tiring, so "arduous" is the answer choice that best fits the context of the sentence.
Example Question #891 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Receiving his court summons, Carl cursed our __________ society for being overly concerned with lawsuits.
garrulous
supine
magnanimous
litigious
onerous
litigious
"Litigious" means interested in lawsuits or tending to go to court to solve problems. Summoned by the courts, Carl cursed society for being excessively prone to go to the law to settle disputes.