PSAT Critical Reading : PSAT Critical Reading

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #1194 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Despite having lived in a deplorably dirty dorm room during his college years, when he got his own apartment, Greg was actually quite __________.

Possible Answers:

disheveled

unkempt

bedraggled

disillusioned

hygienic

Correct answer:

hygienic

Explanation:

"Hygienic" is a synonym of clean. That he was "actually quite __________," despite being dirty in college tells the reader that the word should be the opposite of dirty.

Example Question #351 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Alex always comes across as __________, because his attire is perpetually immaculate and people are commonly put off by his inattention to them.

Possible Answers:

compassionate

inept

salacious

deplorable

narcissistic

Correct answer:

narcissistic

Explanation:

The sentence hints at someone who is both well-dressed and inattentive to others. This could possibly be an arrogant or self-absorbed person, and "narcissistic" means basically that.

Example Question #1195 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Austin was completely __________ from the hike up the mountain, so he fell asleep on the couch as soon as he got home.

Possible Answers:

enthused

truculent

sardonic

enervated

palpable

Correct answer:

enervated

Explanation:

"Enervated" means tired or exhausted, and given the fact that he was soon napping, it is safe to assume that this is how he was feeling.

Example Question #1201 : Sentence Completion

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

I was grateful for Marie’s __________ personality when she and I were able to repair our broken friendship.

Possible Answers:

bashful

priggish 

timorous

deterrent

conciliatory

Correct answer:

conciliatory

Explanation:

In order for Marie to be willing to amend the friendship, her personality must be one that tends towards peace and compromise. The only word that means this out of the answers is "conciliatory."

Example Question #901 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The formation of a strong hypothesis to base your experiment on is the __________ part of any scientific research.

Possible Answers:

paramount

scant

admissible

steadfast

prolific

Correct answer:

paramount

Explanation:

Something you base your entire research on must be the most important part of it, and we should look for a word that conveys the importance of a hypothesis. "Paramount" fits here.

Example Question #1011 : One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The amateur poet never understood why his work was dismissed as __________ when he believed it had profound depth.

Possible Answers:

mawkish

insightful

antediluvian

sublime

calibrated

Correct answer:

mawkish

Explanation:

"Mawkish" means to be sickly sentimental. A poem without depth might very probably be dismissed as sickly sentimental or mawkish.

Example Question #1011 : One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The woman’s __________ salary made it all but impossible to feed and clothe her family.

Possible Answers:

empirical

rife

meager

abundant

behemoth

Correct answer:

meager

Explanation:

"Meager" means to be deficient in size or quantity. A salary deficient in quantity would understandably make it difficult to provide for a family.

Example Question #1043 : Sentence Completion Questions

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The best man cringed at Tony’s __________ behavior as he tried to organize the bachelor party all by himself; the best man knew that the responsibilty belonged to him.

Possible Answers:

virtuous

magnanimous

deferring

officious

clement

Correct answer:

officious

Explanation:

"Officious" means to offer one's services when they are neither wanted nor needed.  Customarily, the best man arranges the bachelor party. Tony's meddling was cringeworthy, as it was unwelcome. 

Example Question #921 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Ernest Hemingway’s books are quite __________; they are clear and easily understood by most everyone.

Possible Answers:

unintelligible

esoteric

arcane

manipulative

pellucid

Correct answer:

pellucid

Explanation:

"Pellucid" means easily intelligible and clear. Hemingway's prose is memorable for its intelligibility and clarity.

Example Question #911 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Jonathan’s paintings are always unique and exciting; he seems to loathe the __________.

Possible Answers:

invigorating

banal

uncommon

macabre

vitality

Correct answer:

banal

Explanation:

"Banal" means dull and commonplace. Because Jonathan paints unique and exciting works, it can be reasoned that he dislikes the dull and commonplace (that is, the banal).

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