SAT Critical Reading : SAT Critical Reading
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Example Questions
Example Question #992 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
While all of his friends wanted him to choose sides in the fight, the young man remained __________.
indifferent
fastidious
excited
animated
angry
indifferent
The structure of the sentence indicates that the young man explicitly did not choose sides in the fight, so the correct answer choice needs to mean “uncommitted” or “not caring.” “Indifferent” is the only answer choice meaning just that, while all the other choices indicate choosing a side.
Example Question #993 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The director's __________ demeanor tended to terrify new employees, but after spending a few months in the company, they usually realized he was harmless.
abrasive
hurried
gargantuan
consoling
demonstrative
abrasive
The word "demonstrative" may be tempting, because it sounds like "monster." but that actually means tending to show emotion. Abrasive means harsh and rough in manner.
Example Question #1193 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
James took the position simply because it was the only one he could find, but the more time he spent as an intern, the more __________ he found the possibility of working there.
insinuating
decisive
deplorable
alluring
terrifying
alluring
The use of the word "but," after saying that he took the internship simply because it was all James could get, demonstrates that there was a change in his ambiguous feelings. The indication is, therefore, that he will feel positive about working there. "Alluring" means to powerfully attract or charm, which fits the context.
Example Question #1194 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Despite having lived in a deplorably dirty dorm room during his college years, when he got his own apartment, Greg was actually quite __________.
disheveled
unkempt
bedraggled
disillusioned
hygienic
hygienic
"Hygienic" is a synonym of clean. That he was "actually quite __________," despite being dirty in college tells the reader that the word should be the opposite of dirty.
Example Question #351 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Alex always comes across as __________, because his attire is perpetually immaculate and people are commonly put off by his inattention to them.
compassionate
inept
salacious
deplorable
narcissistic
narcissistic
The sentence hints at someone who is both well-dressed and inattentive to others. This could possibly be an arrogant or self-absorbed person, and "narcissistic" means basically that.
Example Question #1195 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Austin was completely __________ from the hike up the mountain, so he fell asleep on the couch as soon as he got home.
enthused
truculent
sardonic
enervated
palpable
enervated
"Enervated" means tired or exhausted, and given the fact that he was soon napping, it is safe to assume that this is how he was feeling.
Example Question #1201 : Sentence Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
I was grateful for Marie’s __________ personality when she and I were able to repair our broken friendship.
bashful
priggish
timorous
deterrent
conciliatory
conciliatory
In order for Marie to be willing to amend the friendship, her personality must be one that tends towards peace and compromise. The only word that means this out of the answers is "conciliatory."
Example Question #901 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The formation of a strong hypothesis to base your experiment on is the __________ part of any scientific research.
paramount
scant
admissible
steadfast
prolific
paramount
Something you base your entire research on must be the most important part of it, and we should look for a word that conveys the importance of a hypothesis. "Paramount" fits here.
Example Question #1011 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The amateur poet never understood why his work was dismissed as __________ when he believed it had profound depth.
mawkish
insightful
antediluvian
sublime
calibrated
mawkish
"Mawkish" means to be sickly sentimental. A poem without depth might very probably be dismissed as sickly sentimental or mawkish.
Example Question #1011 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The woman’s __________ salary made it all but impossible to feed and clothe her family.
empirical
rife
meager
abundant
behemoth
meager
"Meager" means to be deficient in size or quantity. A salary deficient in quantity would understandably make it difficult to provide for a family.
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