Vocabulary & Diction
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SAT Reading & Writing › Vocabulary & Diction
When the neighborhood bakery shifted its opening time from 8 a.m. to 6 a.m., commuters who used to pass it by on their way to the train began stopping in, praising the shorter lines and hot croissants ready the moment the doors opened; the owner also advertised the change on local forums, which drew a steady stream of new faces. _____, the shop now sells out of pastries before midmorning each day and has hired two additional staff members to keep pace with surging demand.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
However
As a result
Moreover
Meanwhile
Explanation
The second sentence describes an outcome of the changes, so a cause-and-effect transition ("As a result") fits. The other options signal contrast, addition, or time and do not convey the causal link.
Concerned that the museum's wall labels were laden with jargon, the curator commissioned a rewrite that favored plain syntax and concrete examples from everyday life. The goal, she explained, was not to dilute scholarly nuance but to invite curiosity rather than intimidation. By clarifying references and defining technical terms, the new labels would make the exhibition more _______ to visitors with no background in art history, thereby broadening participation without compromising accuracy.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
opulent
approachable
esoteric
imperious
Explanation
Plain language aimed at visitors without specialized knowledge suggests making the exhibit more approachable. The other options imply luxury, obscurity, or arrogance, none of which fit the intent to increase accessibility.
After surveying traffic patterns, the city removed several curbside parking spaces to install a connected network of protected bike lanes last spring, publicizing the change with maps and community workshops, and officials emphasized safety benefits and solicited feedback from residents and shop owners. _____, weekday bicycle counts on the corridor doubled within three months, and nearby businesses reported more customers arriving by bike, a shift that also eased congestion on parallel streets and reduced the number of short car trips to neighborhood shops.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
However,
Therefore,
Moreover,
Meanwhile,
Explanation
The second sentence presents the effect of the policy change, so a cause/effect transition like "Therefore" fits. The other choices indicate contrast, addition, or time, which do not reflect the causal relationship.
In the hospital's new safety program, nurses and physicians reviewed a short checklist before every procedure. The list did not replace training or judgment; rather, it prevented routine oversights, such as skipped handwashing or mislabeled samples. After three months, infection rates fell noticeably. Staff members said the checklist was not glamorous, but it proved _______, the kind of modest intervention without which more complex reforms rarely gain traction.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
ornamental
indispensable
capricious
incidental
Explanation
Indispensable means essential, matching the claim that the checklist was key to reducing infections. Ornamental, capricious, and incidental suggest decorative, unpredictable, or minor roles that contradict the passage.
After a spike in collisions at busy intersections, the transportation department rejected expensive overhauls in favor of a _______ fix. By repainting crosswalks, narrowing turning radii with flexible posts, and lowering speed limits, engineers addressed the most dangerous behaviors without waiting for years of construction. Within months, injuries fell and travel times held steady, demonstrating that targeted, low-cost measures can meaningfully improve safety while preserving access for buses, delivery trucks, and emergency vehicles.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
ostentatious
capricious
pragmatic
ceremonial
Explanation
Pragmatic' fits the effective, low-cost approach described. 'Ostentatious' and 'ceremonial' imply showiness without utility, and 'capricious' suggests randomness inconsistent with planned engineering.
Last year, the city converted several high-traffic corridors into networks of protected bike lanes, separating riders from cars with curb-height barriers and clear signage; within twelve months, weekday cycling trips were up 40 percent, surveys found that many new riders felt comfortable for the first time, local businesses along the routes reported more foot traffic, and shop owners described customers arriving by bike who would not have driven to the area before. _____ crashes involving cyclists declined markedly as drivers adjusted to narrower car lanes and predictable turning boxes, a change transportation officials attribute to the calmer, more legible street design.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Consequently,
However,
In addition,
Meanwhile,
Explanation
The second sentence states an effect (a decline in crashes) that follows from the redesigned streets, so a cause-and-effect transition fits. The other options suggest contrast, simple addition, or unrelated timing, which do not match the causal relationship.
Some managers worry that hybrid schedules will fracture team cohesion, arguing that spontaneous conversations vanish when not everyone shares the same office every day; they point to sluggish email threads as evidence of stalled decision-making, and such concerns have been amplified by high-profile executives who equate physical presence with commitment. _____, recent randomized trials at large firms found that teams with two coordinated in-person days each week maintained strong networks and met deadlines at rates comparable to fully co-located groups, while also reporting higher satisfaction among employees with caregiving responsibilities.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Therefore
Additionally
Meanwhile
However
Explanation
The second sentence contrasts fears with evidence, so "However" is appropriate. The other choices imply causation, simple addition, or simultaneity rather than opposition.
After a late spring frost damaged several plots, the neighborhood garden group put out a call for volunteers. Within hours, dozens arrived with tools, seedlings, and hot coffee, coordinating repairs and replanting with little prompting. Their willingness to take on heavy lifting and their cheerful coordination suggested a shared commitment to the project's long-term health. The mood was decidedly _______: the work parties felt less like chores and more like a celebration of common purpose.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
reluctant
perfunctory
eager
apathetic
Explanation
The volunteers are described as cheerful and willing, so 'eager' fits. 'Reluctant' and 'apathetic' suggest unwillingness, and 'perfunctory' implies minimal, mechanical effort.
After a series of reports revealed contamination at the plant, the company swiftly recalled the affected products and commissioned an independent audit. The CEO's televised address was notably _______, acknowledging oversight, apologizing directly to consumers, and outlining a timeline for remediation. Analysts noted that the tone contrasted with earlier corporate responses that had minimized risk and shifted blame to suppliers, suggesting a genuine attempt to rebuild trust.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
evasive
contrite
obstinate
jubilant
Explanation
Contrite fits a tone of apology and accountability. Evasive avoids responsibility, obstinate suggests stubbornness, and jubilant is inappropriately celebratory.
To expand access to job resources, the public library launched free workshops on resume writing, interview practice, and salary negotiation led by volunteer career counselors; the sessions quickly filled with recent graduates and midcareer workers seeking a change, and post-session surveys showed that participants left with concrete action plans and new contacts. _____, the library began lending tablets preloaded with language-learning apps and job-search tools to patrons who lack reliable devices at home, a practice supported by a local grant that also covers data service for those without internet access.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
In addition
Therefore
On the other hand
Meanwhile
Explanation
The second sentence presents another measure the library adopted, so an additive transition like "In addition" fits. The other options suggest causation, contrast, or mere timing, which do not match the additive relationship.