PSAT Critical Reading : Sentence Completions
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Critical Reading
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Example Questions
Example Question #371 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
While losing his job and his title, the politician believed the public __________ was the worst part of his infamous scandal.
celebration
approbation
esteem
censure
approval
censure
The “infamous scandal” and the loss of job and title indicate negativity in the politician’s experience. The only word among the answer choices which has a negative connotation is “censure,” which means expression of disapproval.
Example Question #1312 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The politician was always railing against taxes, and was accused of offering a lower tax rate as a simple __________.
apparatus
falsehood
fabrication
panacea
mechanism
panacea
The invocation of simplicity means that the politician’s lower tax rates are never seriously considered or offered with any complexity. “Panacea,” which means cure-all or magical fix, is the only answer with the appropriate sense of lightness to the solution.
Example Question #1313 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
His sales strategy was considered a __________, and all new hires in the company were taught the method in regular orientation.
problem
waste
paradigm
possibility
facsimile
paradigm
The key element to the sentence is the second clause, which indicates that the sales strategy is something the company wants to share with everyone. There is not an exactly perfect word, but each needs to be read in context. “Paradigm,” meaning model or example, is the best answer available.
Example Question #451 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Her __________ for driving sports cars harmed both her bank account and her personal safety.
hatred
incongruity
proclivity
abhorrence
ambivalence
proclivity
To find the answer, look at the way the sentence is structured. Her driving habit was something she did despite the fact she was potentially harming herself, indicating the habit was something she could not help. “Proclivity,” meaning a strong tendency towards something, is the only answer choice that indicates such a meaning.
Example Question #1781 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Once cordial, in recent years their relationship had developed a strong __________.
antagonism
fondness
ambivalence
friendship
affection
antagonism
The opening phrase, “Once cordial,” indicates that the appropriate answer choice must be an antonym to “cordial,” which means warmth and good feeling. Of all the answer choices, only “antagonism” conveys the appropriate meaning of rivalry or even hatred.
Example Question #1782 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Despite attempts to appear serious and respected, most medical professionals viewed the pharmaceutical salesman often came off as a __________.
chimera
entrepreneur
impresario
magnate
charlatan
charlatan
The “despite” at the beginning of the sentence is the best clue as to the correct answer. With that word beginning the sentence, look for a word meaning that conveys a meaning different than “serious and respected.” “Charlatan,” which means an impostor or fake, is the best answer.
Example Question #1783 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
He was considered a bit of a(n) __________ by his friends, and this was brought up every time he skipped a social event to stay home and read.
recluse
circumlocution
paragon
extrovert
plethora
recluse
That this individual stays home from social outings gives a strong hint that he may prefer being alone. This is what it means to be a "recluse."
Example Question #1784 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
To sailors, a red sky has always been a __________ of harsh weather to come.
pariah
epicure
nuance
reprieve
harbinger
harbinger
The red sky is a warning or a sign, so we need a word that fits the definition of something that could be considered a warning. "Harbinger" is the only answer choice that fits.
Example Question #1785 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
At the beginning of her lecture, the professor pulled out an old __________ and read several passages in an ancient language.
eulogy
conflagration
consensus
tome
volume
tome
A "tome" is a large book, something a professor would use to begin a lecture.
Example Question #461 : Sentence Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Mike fell down the stairs last night and awoke the whole neighborhood with the __________ that he created.
dolt
coercion
clamor
harangue
vertigo
clamor
Falling down the stairs and awaking the neighborhood implies that there was a lot of loud noise, and so "clamor" is the only answer choice that fits.
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