All SAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1784 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
To sailors, a red sky has always been a __________ of harsh weather to come.
pariah
epicure
nuance
reprieve
harbinger
harbinger
The red sky is a warning or a sign, so we need a word that fits the definition of something that could be considered a warning. "Harbinger" is the only answer choice that fits.
Example Question #1785 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
At the beginning of her lecture, the professor pulled out an old __________ and read several passages in an ancient language.
eulogy
conflagration
consensus
tome
volume
tome
A "tome" is a large book, something a professor would use to begin a lecture.
Example Question #461 : Sentence Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Mike fell down the stairs last night and awoke the whole neighborhood with the __________ that he created.
dolt
coercion
clamor
harangue
vertigo
clamor
Falling down the stairs and awaking the neighborhood implies that there was a lot of loud noise, and so "clamor" is the only answer choice that fits.
Example Question #1792 : Sat Critical Reading
Deborah has always been a(n) __________; she has always composed her music independent of tradition and popular trends.
maverick
adherent
conformist
follower
conservative
maverick
A "maverick" is an independent, non-conformist person. A composer who does not follow past or present trends is surely a non-conformist, a maverick.
Example Question #1793 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ waited his turn as the more experienced skydivers exited the plane.
neophyte
polyglot
unabashed
extemporaneous
transcendent
neophyte
A "neophyte" is someone who is inexperienced in a certain field. Logically, a skydiver who waited for the more experienced to jump would be regarded as a relative novice, a neophyte.
Example Question #1794 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The young priest experienced great __________ at the sight of the suffering in his village.
diffidence
sobriquet
apathy
timidity
pathos
pathos
"Pathos" means an emotion of sympathy. Certainly, a young priest would feel great sympathy at the sight of suffering in his own village.
Example Question #1795 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The con artist’s __________ tricked the unsuspecting widow out of her money.
legerdemain
integrity
scruples
honesty
forthrightness
legerdemain
"Legerdemain" is slight-of-hand or a deception. A con artist would rely upon deception to steal from a widow.
Example Question #281 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The husband launched into a(n) __________ against wasteful shopping, even though he had just bought an unnecessary pool table.
extemporaneous
commendation
improvisation
laudation
polemic
polemic
A "polemic" is an aggressive argument against a specific opinion. The husband's argument against wasteful spending, though possibly reasonable, is undermined by his hypocrisy.
Example Question #411 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The coach welcomed the new team member with __________ which reflected his interest in developing a cohesive team spirit.
aspersion
aloofness
hospitality
effacement
respite
hospitality
Our clues in this sentence are about the coach who “welcomed” the new team member and “his interest” in developing a “cohesive team spirit” so it sounds like the coach was looking forward to adding this person to the group. We need a word that is positive.
Let’s check for clues in the answers: The word “aloof” sounds like roof, aloft, alone or along which do not seem exactly positive or welcoming. The word “respite” might remind you of words like respond, respiration, responsible which are positive words but not very related to friendly team spirit building.
“Hospitality” usually means to show people that you are welcoming them with sincere interest and words like hospice, host, and hospital relate to taking care of others so this may be our best answer but let’s keep checking.
The word “aspersion” might sound familiar because it may remind us of aspire which means to strive toward becoming better or desiring fame. But “aspersion” also sounds and looks like asperity which means roughness in manner and this does not fit so let’s not chose aspersion.
So “effacement” is our last answer and it may remind us of effect, effort, effective or efficiency. None of these seem related to welcoming either so let’s chose “hospitality” as our answer which does mean to welcome warmly.
Example Question #282 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ between the two professors began over minor differences, but carried on quite strongly for years.
harmony
antipathy
coolness
animosity
impatience
animosity
While all the answer choices indicate some measure of ill feeling, only “animosity” indicates the correct seriousness. “Antipathy” and “coolness” indicate a carelessness, while “impatience” does not have an appropriate level of seriousness. "Harmony" means the exact opposite of ill feeling.
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