SAT Critical Reading : SAT Critical Reading
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading
All SAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1023 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The new sergeant was __________ in his demands, providing strict guidelines the troops were sorely lacking before his arrival.
negotiable
uninspiring
unequivocal
flexible
lackluster
unequivocal
The guidelines the new sergeant’s demands provided are strict, meaning he was forceful and clear in what he asked. “Lackluster” and “uninspiring” do not have enough sense of clarity, while “negotiable” and "flexible" are not strict enough adjectives to fit the sentence.
Example Question #1961 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The elderly woman’s __________ tone about modern dating habits made the young men hesitant to tell her about their personal lives.
inquisitive
curious
censorious
approving
laudatory
censorious
As the young men avoid her, the elderly woman obviously dislikes modern dating habits, which rules out “approving” and “laudatory” as possible correct answers. Similarly, the young men’s unwillingness to talk indicates she was not “inquisitive,” or "curious." “Censorious,” meaning stern and critical, is the only possible correct answer.
Example Question #1025 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
With his long hair and casual dress, the interviewee looked __________ in the button-down office setting.
complete
paradigmatic
incongruous
perfect
edifying
incongruous
The interviewee’s long hair and casual dress stand opposite to the button down setting. Look for the answer that means “opposite” or “contrasting.” Only “incongruous” is a synonym of “opposite.”
Example Question #1031 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
There was a(n) __________ uneasiness when the two rivals entered the room at the same time.
occasional
palpable
circumstantial
comfortable
casual
palpable
The fact that the two people in the sentence are rivals, and that uneasiness is always a bad thing, mean the correct answer must indicate something quite strong. The only such word is "palpable," as all the other words have a lightness to them which is inappropriate in the sentence.
Example Question #1032 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The country club's members considered the club's ability to choose its own members an __________ right, and refused any attempts to have them change its bylaws.
unimportant
inconsequential
inviolable
appropriate
inconsistent
inviolable
The country club wanted nothing to happen to their bylaws, and wanted to defend them at all costs. "Inconsistent," "unimportant," "appropriate," and "inconsequential" all have too light a meaning.
Example Question #1033 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Historians often struggle with how much __________ evidence to use, as fewer data points can be outweighed by the power of the story being told.
outdated
anecdotal
circumstantial
quantitative
byzantine
anecdotal
The key word for this sentence is in the last phrase, “story.” Of all the answer choices, only “anecdotal” means from a story.
Example Question #1221 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The fact he was __________ was a pleasant surprise to her when she asked him to assemble furniture.
clumsy
dexterous
bumbling
inept
oafish
dexterous
The task he needed to accomplish, assembling furniture, indicates he was skillful. “Clumsy,” “oafish,” "bumbling," and “inept” all mean, to some degree, the exact opposite. “Dexterous,” indicating skill with one’s hands, is correct.
Example Question #1051 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Her speech was often loaded with __________ words such as "like" or "whatever," which were unnecessary for her point to be made.
precise
extraneous
automatic
mechanical
automatic
extraneous
The structure of the sentence indicates the correct answer is a synonym of “unnecessary.” “Precise” and “subtle” are antonyms, while “automatic” and "mechanical" is not a direct synonym.
Example Question #1971 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The preacher’s sermons were frequently nothing more than __________ babbling, leaving the parishioners confused.
factual
exacting
clarifying
incoherent
engaging
incoherent
The correct choice leads to confusion in the parishioners. “Exacting,” “clarifying,” and “factual” all indicate a lack of confusion, while "engaging" means interesting and exciting. Only “incoherent” means anything related to confusion.
Example Question #1972 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The old mansion was added to many times over the years with additions that created hallways and rooms in strange places, giving the place a __________ quality.
harmonious
quaint
edifying
labyrinthine
rustic
labyrinthine
The mansion's many additions and strange hallways make the mansion confusing and imposing. "Labyrinthine," which means maze-like, is the best fit of all the answer choices. All the other choices have connotations of simplicity or ease.
Certified Tutor
All SAT Critical Reading Resources
