SAT Critical Reading : SAT Critical Reading
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading
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Example Questions
Example Question #441 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Few of the artist’s works examine the __________ of men and women; he prefers to depict their ugliness.
malformation
frivolity
hideousness
sobriety
pulchritude
pulchritude
"Pulchritude" means physical beauty. An artist who prefers to depict ugliness would not depict physical beauty.
Example Question #261 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The model’s once atypical beauty eventually became the __________ by which all subsequent models were judged.
unoriginal
paradigm
moderate
quandary
substandard
paradigm
"Paradigm" means that which serves as a pattern or model. The model's once uncommon beauty eventually became the standard by which the beauty of other models was determined.
Example Question #262 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Because of her incomparable __________, the wicked stepmother easily tricked her new husband in the fairy tale.
sincerity
guile
artlessness
frankness
naivety
guile
"Guile" means deceitful and cunning behavior. A wicked stepmother tricking her husband, like those found in old fairy tales, would certainly brim with guile.
Example Question #268 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
His direct and somewhat offensive speech ably demonstrated a complete lack of __________.
bluntness
nuance
boorishness
obviousness
forcefulness
nuance
The man's direct, offensive speech is placed in contrast with the correct answer choice. Look for the word that is the best antonym for "direct" or "offensive." "Nuance," indicating subtlety or a fine meaning, is the closest antonym among the answer choices.
Example Question #391 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The professor suspected ____________ when the student's rewritten essay was much better than his previous efforts.
brilliance
plagiarism
authenticity
abhorrence
tolerance
plagiarism
The most important aspect of this sentence is the professor's suspicion of the student's essay. The correct answer needed to convert some sense of wrongdoing. "Plagiarism," the taking of credit for someone else's writing or work, is the only answer choice with such a sense.
Example Question #451 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The developer's new software garnered a great deal of __________ for the previously unknown young programmer.
hatred
ignominy
infamy
jealousy
renown
renown
This question is an example of finding the best fit among the answer choices, not just a word that makes sense in the sentence, which all the answer choices do. The inclusion of "previously unknown" in the sentence indicate that the correct answer has some meaning of fame for achievements, which is the definition of "renown."
Example Question #281 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
King Solomon was esteemed for his knowledge and __________, as his knowledge was counter-balanced by a practical wisdom.
sapience
irresoluteness
indecisiveness
shallowness
ardor
sapience
"Sapience" means great wisdom and discernment. King Solomon's knowledge was tempered by his practical wisdom (that is, his "sapience").
Example Question #281 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
She was a __________ with the cello, but her exceptional talent came at a heavy price; she had no social life.
hack
virtuoso
iconoclast
novice
clairvoyant
virtuoso
"Virtuoso" means a person with masterly technique, skill, or style. The cellist had masterly technique, skill, or style, but her accomplishment detracted from her relationships with others.
Example Question #271 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although he was noted as an emerging star in his rookie season, the baseball player enjoyed his greatest __________ after his fifth year in the league.
translucence
apathy
quagmire
delusion
renown
renown
The main clue is the word “although,” which suggests a contrast. Here, despite having a strong reputation in his first, rookie season, the baseball player enjoyed his greatest recognition later in his career. Only "renown" fits the definition of having even greater recognition.
Example Question #262 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The expert sculptor was astonished to see such breathtaking work done by a mere __________.
philistine
chronicler
sophist
amateur
ascetic
amateur
The fact that an expert would be astonished by the work of an individual suggests that it was unexpected. An amateur (the correct choice) completing such breathtaking work would cause this astonishment.
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