SAT Critical Reading : One-Blank Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #784 : Sentence Completions

Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.

 

Socrates was known as one of the most __________ orators of Ancient Greece.

 

Possible Answers:

symbiotic

mundane

placid

taciturn

eloquent

Correct answer:

eloquent

Explanation:

"Eloquent" means having a skillful way with words or speech. "Mundane" means ordinary or day-to-day. "Placid" means calm or mild. "Symbiotic" means interdependent, coordianted, or unified. "Taciturn" means quiet, mild, or reserved.

Example Question #785 : Sentence Completions

Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.

The __________ old man yelled at the children to get off his lawn and play ball elsewhere.

 

Possible Answers:

cantankerous

bucolic

jocular

complacent

avuncular

Correct answer:

cantankerous

Explanation:

"Cantankerous" means crabby or irritable. "Avuncular" means consultive or helpful. "Bucolic" means rustic or rural in nature. "Complacent" means calm, confident, or pleased. "Jocular" means funny or cheerful.

Example Question #1721 : Psat Critical Reading

Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.

 

Maria occasionally experiences __________ dreaming, but usually her dreams are utterly incomprehensible.

 

Possible Answers:

lucid

insolent

peripheral

wary

nebulous

Correct answer:

lucid

Explanation:

"Lucid" means comprehensible, clear, or understandable. "Wary" means careful or cautious. "Peripheral" means minor, outside, or incidental. "Nebulous" means murky, confused, or obscured. "Insolent" means bold or disrespectful

Example Question #1722 : Psat Critical Reading

Select the word or word pair that best completes the sentence.

Even in the dead of the jungle night, the adventurer could read his daily log by the moonlight shining through his __________ mosquito net.

Possible Answers:

elongated

impeccable

acrid

diaphanous

Correct answer:

diaphanous

Explanation:

While the adventurer's mosquito net might very well be "impeccable" (flawless), "acrid" (smelly) or "elongated" (if he was perhaps a very tall adventurer), all that we know for sure is that light can shine through it—and that is the exact meaning of "diaphanous."

Example Question #1723 : Psat Critical Reading

Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.

The tantrum-throwing toddler remained __________ and refused to eat his vegetables.

Possible Answers:

palpable

obdurate

didactic

antediluvian

bucolic

Correct answer:

obdurate

Explanation:

"Obdurate" means pigheaded or stubborn. "Antediluvian" means out-of-date or prehistoric (ante=before, diluvian=the flood). "Bucolic" means rural or rustic in nature. "Didactic" means educational or explanatory. "Palpable" means clear or obvious

Example Question #1724 : Psat Critical Reading

Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.

My uncle is always complaining about something. He's the most __________ person I know.

Possible Answers:

nonchalant

querulous

recalcitrant

taciturn

venerable

Correct answer:

querulous

Explanation:

"Querulous" means habitually complaining or whining. "Recalcitrant" means stubbornly defiant. "Taciturn" means reserved or uncommunicative. "Venerable" means revered or sacred. "Nonchalant" means casual or unconcerned.

Example Question #171 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.

The __________ Buddhist monk sat in contemplative silence at the back of the temple.

Possible Answers:

imperial

lugubrious

myriad

gregarious

taciturn

Correct answer:

taciturn

Explanation:

"Taciturn" means reserved or uncommunicative. "Gregarious" means outgoing or sociable. "Imperial" means majestic, noble, or proud. "Lugubrious" means depressing or somber. "Myriad" means multiple or various

Example Question #1731 : Psat Critical Reading

Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.

Shortly after the Big Bang, the __________ universe was just a swirling mass of gas and dust.

Possible Answers:

myopic

inchoate

hackneyed

lackadaisical

fetid

Correct answer:

inchoate

Explanation:

"Inchoate" means undeveloped or beginning. "Myopic" means nearsighted or biased. "Lackadaisical" means careless or indifferent. "Hackneyed" means cliched or corny. "Fetid" means foul or rancid.

Example Question #141 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.

It's impossible to argue with someone who has only a __________ understanding of the facts.

Possible Answers:

culpable

intractable

pragmatic

tenuous

indelible

Correct answer:

tenuous

Explanation:

"Tenuous" means delicate or flimsy. "Indelible" means indestructible or enduring. "Pragmatic" means sensible or practical. "Intractable" means difficult or incurable. "Culpable" means responsible, liable, or guilty.

Example Question #142 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.

The Donner Party's dream of reaching California was rendered __________ by a devastating blizzard in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Possible Answers:

tranquil

sodden

venturesome

nafarious

futile

Correct answer:

futile

Explanation:

"Futile" means hopeless or pointless. "Venturesome" means courageous or adventurous. "Tranquil" means calm and peaceful. "Sodden" means saturated or drenched. "Nefarious" means horrible or sinful

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