SAT Critical Reading : Sentence Completion Questions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #293 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The movie star's personal life was a matter of __________, as the media had not been able to find out any more details about his relationship.

Possible Answers:

disclosure

revelation

inquiry

avocation

postulation

Correct answer:

postulation

Explanation:

"Conjecture" is speculation or hypotheses based on unknown data. "Inquiry" suggests data-gathering, while both "revelation" and "disclosure" imply a hidden knowledge that is made manifest. "Avocation" relates to the pursuit of hobbies.

Example Question #294 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The decision to declare war should not be seen as __________, as it requires great bravery to maintain peace.

Possible Answers:

pacification

intelligence

intrepidity

ignobility

cowardice

Correct answer:

intrepidity

Explanation:

The sentence's context suggests that a synonym of "bravery" is needed for the blank. "Intrepidity" and "cowardice" are the only two which refer to courage and confrontation of fear, yet cowardice is the antonym of bravery. "Ignobility" could fit grammatically, but also provides an opposite of courage. Both "intelligence" and "pacification," although they could both relate to war, have no relation to bravery in this context.

Example Question #295 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The ­­­__________ of Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey eventually fell apart when Caesar made an audacious bid to rule on his own.

Possible Answers:

rhetoric 

mitigation 

fidelity 

consecration

triumvirate 

Correct answer:

triumvirate 

Explanation:

From the context of this question you know that the blank is describing the collection of three individuals (Caesar, Crassus and Pompey). You also can infer that it relates to ruling or authority because the second part of the sentence describes Caesar’s attempt to rule on his own. Consecration means the process of making something holy or sacred; mitigation means to make an offense excusable or to interfere in something for the purposes of resolving a dispute; fidelity refers to loyalty or sexual faithfulness; rhetoric describes a persuasive speech or argument. Of the five answer choices triumvirate is the best answer, it means a committee of three ruling men.

Example Question #301 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

His laid-back demeanor indicated a definite __________ toward his emloyees' problems.

Possible Answers:

excitement

ambivalence

hatred

antagonism

anger

Correct answer:

ambivalence

Explanation:

The key phrase in the sentence is "laid-back demeanor." The correct answer choice will reflect the "laid-back" approach. Only "ambivalence," which means state of being undecided and not caring, has the appropriate connotation in the sentence.

Example Question #302 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The principal separated out the student he felt was the __________ of all the recent trouble at the school.

Possible Answers:

passerby

instigator

bystander

follower

hermit

Correct answer:

instigator

Explanation:

The principal, in his authoritarian capacity, would be trying to calm down troubles at the school. The person the principal is locating is the "ringleader" or cause of the trouble, ruling out "passerby," "bystander," "follower," and "hermit." The correct answer choice, "instigator," means person who started something.

Example Question #303 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

After years of studying the ancient texts the __________ was able to finally decipher their meaning.

Possible Answers:

elitist

biologist

chemist

architect

linguist

Correct answer:

linguist

Explanation:

"Linguists" study languages (notice the similarity in the words). In this case, we are looking for a type of person who would work with old languages, so this fits perfectly.

Example Question #304 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The couple didn't like the food at the restaurant very much, but nonetheless frequented it merely due to its __________ to their apartment.

Possible Answers:

atmosphere

taste

proximity

appearance

displacement

Correct answer:

proximity

Explanation:

"Proximity" means simply nearness to something. Here, we are given contextual clues that tell us that their restaurant choice had something to do with their apartment. All the answers would be reasons to choose the place, but "proximity" is the only one that has to do with their apartment.

Example Question #305 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The garden slowly evolved into a state of chaos thanks to her __________.

Possible Answers:

fervor

negligence

diligence

aptitude

skill

Correct answer:

negligence

Explanation:

"Negligence" is a noun which means act of choosing not to (neglecting to) do something. Here, it is clear that not tending the garden is what has led it to become chaotic.

Example Question #303 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

In an incredible case of __________, the general's scouts happened upon the enemy's battle plans in a pair of boots found near the opposing camp.

Possible Answers:

spontaneity

serendipity

temerity

adversity

mischance

Correct answer:

serendipity

Explanation:

The correct answer will point out the incredible bout of good fortune that allowed the general's scouts to find the plans, something that wasn't planned at all. The incorrect answers will either misinterpret the episode as a case of bad luck ("mischance"), poor circumstances ("adversity"), or a failure to address the topic at hand ("temerity"). "Spontaneity" comes close by referring to the seeming randomness of the event, but is not as good of a fit as "serendipity."

Example Question #304 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The girl's fear of the dark made bringing a flashlight with her when trick-or-treating an absolute __________.

Possible Answers:

necessity

suggestion

obstacle

tangent

observance

Correct answer:

suggestion

Explanation:

Since the girl is afraid of the dark, it would be very important to bring a flashlight on Halloween. This importance is stressed by the sentence's use of "absolute." The only answer choice that conveys this sense of importance is "necessity," making it the correct answer.

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