SAT Critical Reading : SAT Critical Reading
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading
All SAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #66 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Harry tried to blend in with the crowd, but he had forgotten about the bright pink bow on his head, which made him look particularly __________.
impervious
conciliatory
fanatic
conspicuous
enthused
conspicuous
Conspicuous is the correct answer because it means to stand out or be more visible. Enthused or fanatic are other adjectives that might fit wearing a bright pink bow, but the conspicuous contrasts well with how he "tried to blend in with the crowd."
Example Question #2081 : Sat Critical Reading
"Oh, but I liked young Harry," exclaimed Sue's grandmother. "He was so charming and __________!"
valuable
winsome
brusque
volatile
solid
winsome
Winsome is correct because it means attractive or handsome. We know it has to be something that is positive because it is paired with "charming." Brusque and volatile are both negative adjectives and can be eliminated.
Example Question #68 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
His mother said dismissively that the film was full of __________ violence, but Fred liked all the blood and gore.
gratuitous
gruesome
shrewd
captivating
bewitching
gratuitous
Because of the "but" in the sentence, we know that the mother's opinion of the violence should contrast with Fred's. Since Fred liked it, the mother didn't, and the blank calls for a negative adjective. Gruesome and gratuitous are the options we have left. We can eliminate gruesome because it is not often that someone speaks "dismissively" of something that grosses them out. Gratuitous works best because it means uncalled for or unjustified.
Example Question #668 : One Blank Sentences
The __________ soccer player returned to training after her third ACL surgery and difficult recovery.
opulent
impetuous
restrained
tenacious
wary
tenacious
Since this was her third surgery, the soccer player must be stubbornly persistent, or "tenacious" in returning to training once again after a difficult recovery.
Example Question #681 : One Blank Sentences
Many actors spend their entire lives chasing after the __________ high that is associated with being onstage in front of an audience.
ephemeral
divergent
jubilant
frugal
exemplary
ephemeral
"Ephemeral" works best here since a high is a temporary rush of euphoric emotions, which can only last so long before disappearing, making it temporary.
Example Question #682 : One Blank Sentences
The college freshman considered her dorm room very __________ after sharing a room with her three sisters all her life.
frugal
arid
capacious
enervating
florid
capacious
Because she had shared a room with her three sisters all her life, she was probably accustomed to a cramped and small living space. Thus, the dorm room must seem very large, or "capacious," to her.
Example Question #701 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Once a boring part of town life, the town meeting was now __________ with tension after the high school controversy.
prosaic
fraught
reclusive
provacative
mundane
fraught
The best answer is "fraught," which means "filled with," and captures the transformation of the town meeting from boredom to tension.
Example Question #585 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
The seemingly __________ puppy never tired, even after several vigorous hours of play.
heretical
uninhibited
volatile
satirical
indefatigable
indefatigable
"Indefatigable" means incapable of being tired out, or never tired.
Example Question #671 : One Blank Sentences
Lewis and Clark are often regarded as the daring and __________ pair that explored the entire western United States.
inadvertent
benign
mercurial
rancorous
intrepid
intrepid
The fact that Lewis and Clark explored the entire western United States would make them “intrepid”—adventurous or fearless.
Example Question #572 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
The public was pleasantly surprised and relieved by their congresswoman’s speedy and __________ recovery from pneumonia.
incongruent
superficial
inauspicious
exacerbated
resilient
resilient
“Resilient” indicates a quick recovery from illness or adversity.
All SAT Critical Reading Resources
