SAT Critical Reading : SAT Critical Reading
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading
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Example Questions
Example Question #975 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
He considered himself quite the ladies' man, but most of the women he met found his personality __________.
agreeable
sensuous
pleasant
adroit
noxious
noxious
The structure of the sentence is a good clue that most women's perception of the man are at odds with his own sense of himself as a ladies' man. The correct answer choice is one that indicates some level of offensiveness in his personality. "Noxious," meaning offensive or even poisonous, is the only choice that has any sense of negativity.
Example Question #976 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The students looked at one another in a state of confusion, as the teacher's homework instructions were rather vague and __________.
obscure
relinquished
ornary
obtuse
acquiescent
obscure
Obscure is the only word that is a synonym of "vague."
Example Question #977 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
As the director lowered his arms, all one hundred of the Christmas carolers __________ began to sing a lively version of a popular carol in unison.
tumultuously
callously
simultaneously
frigidly
intermittenly
simultaneously
Only simultaneously means "in unison" or occurring at the same time.
Example Question #978 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The burglar must not have been too __________ leaving the scene of the crime; three different neighbors saw him exit the corner house with stolen goods in his arms.
surreptitious
irreverent
cogent
audacious
overt
surreptitious
"Surreptitious" means secretive. Since the burglar was seen by various people, he could not have been too surreptitious.
Example Question #979 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Jaded and __________, the aspiring young journalist decided to abandon his dream career due to the scarcity of writing jobs.
corpulent
despondent
inarticulate
relentless
agile
despondent
"Despondent" means lacking hope. Since the journalist opted to abandon his dream job, he must have been despondent.
Example Question #980 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Annette was enthused about pawning what she thought was a solid gold ring, but after some examination, her sister informed her that it was merely a __________ piece of jewelry.
admonished
gilded
mysterious
harangue
ubiquitous
gilded
A gilded piece of jewelry is superficially covered with gold but not gold throughout.
Example Question #2391 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The recent discovery of oil on the property has led analysts to believe that the construction of refineries in the area will soon prove to be a very __________ investment.
vapid
demented
deleterious
lucrative
lukewarm
lucrative
Only "lucrative" means prosperous or financially promising.
Example Question #2392 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Termites are known to invade and destroy homes in such a(n) __________ nature that one does not notice their presence until it is too late.
insidious
benign
incomprehensible
industrious
invincible
insidious
"Insidious" means dangerous in a subtle way. Since the termites cause great damage to homes without the homeowners noticing, they can be described as "insidious."
Example Question #2393 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ fishermen pressed on for port despite the treacherous conditions of the sea that night.
innocuous
irksome
insouciant
intrepid
itinerant
intrepid
These fisherman were pressing on despite difficult circumstances. This description matches well with the meaning of "intrepid," an adjective that means fearless or bold.
Example Question #2394 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The doctor reassured the worried mother that the vaccine he was giving her child was completely __________ and that her baby was not in any danger.
insipid
innocuous
inscrutable
intrepid
insouciant
innocuous
"Innocuous" means harmless, and if the doctor told the mother that her the baby wouldn't be in any danger, the meaning of "innocuous" fits the context of the sentence.
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