PSAT Critical Reading : Sentence Completions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #1161 : Psat Critical Reading

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

Although the organ was totally destroyed by the arsonist, the court required that he pay an amount equal to its value in __________ for the damage done.

Possible Answers:

restitution

contrition

response

guilt

criminality

Correct answer:

restitution

Explanation:

The key thing to note is that the arsonist must totally repay the value of the organ. When someone restores stolen or damaged property, such a payment is called “restitution.” The “-stit-” portion of the word comes from the Latin for “to stand,” though it takes on the meaning of “returning to a state in which something stood before.” (As you can see, the sense is metaphoric.) This base word is found in many English words like “institute,” “substitute,” and “statue.” Note that “restitution” can also be repaid for general losses and injuries, not merely property damage.

Example Question #1162 : Psat Critical Reading

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

Reflecting back on his many successes and popularity, the politician found his current exile from public affairs to be the __________ of his entire career.

Possible Answers:

apogee

nadir

ruination

antithesis

unraveling

Correct answer:

nadir

Explanation:

Since the politician’s fortunes had changed so greatly, it is fair to say that he has gone from being “on the top of the world” to being on the “lowest rung.” When one is at his or her “nadir,” he or she is at the lowest point of his or her fortunes or accomplishments. Do not be tempted to think that the best option would be “ruination” or “unraveling,” for while these may indeed be true, the focus of the sentence is clearly on the fact that this is a low point in comparison with the rest of his career.

Example Question #1163 : Psat Critical Reading

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

Given the thousands of miles that separated the kingdom from its colonies, the ruler found it necessary to appoint a __________ to live and rule them as the royal representative.

Possible Answers:

replacement

substitute

regent

viceroy

ambassador

Correct answer:

viceroy

Explanation:

The key thing to note here is that the appointee is being assigned to a colonial office and that said person will be acting as a representative, not as a replacement. Such a person is called a “viceroy.” The prefix “vice” means “in the place of,” as one sees in the case of “vice president.” The ending “roy” is related to the French for king, “roi,” which ultimately is related to other words from the common Latin base meaning king or ruler, as founding words like “regal,” “reign,” and “interregnum.”

Example Question #141 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Before you present your __________, you should have some initial evidence in support of your potential research project.

Possible Answers:

opinions

summary

notions

thesis

recollections

Correct answer:

thesis

Explanation:

The pivotal clues for this sentence are “initial evidence” and “potential research project.” This implies that the person has not yet started the project. While perhaps he or she could be presenting "opinions," the general implication is that he or she is undertaking some new research. When we start projects of this sort, we often lay out a thesis or hypothesis, upon which we will further elaborate with the passage of time.

Example Question #142 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Some medieval philosophers did not realize that a solid wall is the __________ for transporting the movement of sound from one area to another.

Possible Answers:

obscurity

medium

extreme

impediment

limitation

Correct answer:

medium

Explanation:

The wall stands between two areas, functioning as the means by which sound passes between rooms. Though some medieval men had intriguing reasons for misunderstanding this phenomenon, we know better now. The word “medium” means middle or between. It can be used as a noun meaning the substance traversed by something like light, electricity, or (indeed) sound.

Example Question #143 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The butler served the family with unwavering __________, often overlooking his own desires for the requests of his employers.

Possible Answers:

uprightness

dedication

kindness

affection

warmth

Correct answer:

dedication

Explanation:

The key thing to note is that the butler serves in such a way as to often overlook his own desires. This does not necessarily imply love or even uprightness, but it does imply that he is unwavering in his service. Such a spirit is one of “dedication.” The word comes from the Latin base for the word for “consecrating” and is also somewhat related to words like “dictation,” “diction,” and so forth.

Example Question #144 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Although Mark had been a faithful citizen for many years, after he realized the corruption in the governmental system, he deserted his former civic duty, becoming a __________ and challenging much of the system he had once so ardently defended.

Possible Answers:

barbarian

misfit

renegade

troublemaker

lout

Correct answer:

renegade

Explanation:

The key thing to note here is that Mark is a “deserter” from having been a faithful citizen.  Although perhaps he is a troublemaker and even a misfit, the word “renegade” best expresses the idea of deserting that to which one once was devoted. In this word the “re-” prefix does not mean “again” but instead merely strengthens the main portion of the word—the “-negade” portion of the word. This portion comes from the same roots as “negative” and “deny.” Here, the sense is to deny forcefully one’s former attachment.

Example Question #121 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Although most democratic, modern persons believe that kings are necessarily __________, is it necessarily the case that they would act in such an undemocratic manner?

Possible Answers:

potentates

abominable

corrupt

horrific

unscrupulous

Correct answer:

potentates

Explanation:

This problem is an example of one for which you have to find the “least bad” answer. The descriptor that we are looking for regarding kings is one that is opposed to being democratic. (This is indicated by the expression “that they would act in such an undemocratic manner”). Many of the negative terms could apply, but they go further than this implication. The word “potentate” can mean merely a monarchical ruler, but its broader implication is that such a ruler acts solely by his or her own power, without any consultation of others. The word itself is derived from Latin roots for “power,” found in many English words like “potential,” “possible,” “omnipotent,” and “impotent.”

Example Question #221 : One Blank Sentences

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

After the long prayer, the minister closed with a high-toned __________, giving praise and thanksgiving to God for what he took to be all the blessings of the congregation.

Possible Answers:

oration

sermon

doxology

lecture

bombast

Correct answer:

doxology

Explanation:

Although the minister might be giving a sermon or even an oration to the congregation, the sentence most directly indicates that whatever he is doing involves “giving prase and thanksgiving.” A “doxology” is a formulaic prayer giving thanksgiving to God.  It comes from the combination of the Greek words for praise (“doxos”) and word (“logos”). The latter is used in many English words pertaining to subjects of study (such as “biology,” “logic,” etc.).

Example Question #147 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Among the members of the professional society, Lawrence was something of a ___________, often deviating from the norms and standard methods of the group.

Possible Answers:

discontent

buffoon

dunce

vexation

maverick

Correct answer:

maverick

Explanation:

When one departs from accepted norms, he or she might be called many things, but it is most appropriate here to call such a person a “maverick.” The term comes from the surname of Samuel A. Maverick, who did not bother to brand his cattle. Such unmarked steers thus became known as “mavericks” since they didn’t fit into the standard system of animal control. 

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