PSAT Critical Reading : Adjectives and Adverbs in One-Blank Sentences
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Example Questions
Example Question #1932 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Bobby Orr is truly a __________ ice hockey defenseman; no defenseman has ever dominated the sport like him.
modest
mediocre
importunate
peerless
common
peerless
"Peerless" means eminent beyond or above comparison. Because Bobby Orr dominated his sport like no other defenseman, it can be said that he is eminent beyond comparison.
Example Question #1941 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The scientist reviewed all of the research on the matter and then proposed a __________ reason for the chimps' behavior.
implausible
intrepid
inconsiderate
outlandish
plausible
plausible
"Plausible" means reasonable. Naturally, a scientist would wish to put forward a reasonable (that is, plausible) explanation for the chimps' behavior.
Example Question #1181 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After years of talking down to his players as if they were ignorant children, the coach finally acknowledged that his attitude was __________.
condescending
commendable
variable
indifferent
fastidious
condescending
The phrases “talking down” and “ignorant children” suggest that the coach’s attitude toward his players was one of patronizing superiority. "Condescending" fits this definition.
Example Question #1021 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The superhero was __________ about his accolades; he said even less about his legendary powers.
taciturn
bombastic
portent
grandiloquent
caustic
taciturn
The semicolon indicates that a supporting relationship between the two thoughts separated by the semicolon. Here, the superhero said even less about his legendary powers. Thus, only "taciturn" (saying little) fits as an answer choice.
Example Question #1002 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The card dealer suspected something was amiss as he noticed the card player’s __________ glances at his alleged spotter.
furtive
bland
monotonous
eloquent
preeminent
furtive
The card dealer suspecting that something is not quite right (“amiss”) suggests that the card player exchanged a secret, sneaky glance with his spotter. Only "furtive" meets this definition.
Example Question #1001 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although the art critics praised the new painting as original, Tom was convinced the he had seen similar work before and concluded that the work was __________.
robust
derivative
strident
electric
authentic
derivative
The word “although” indicates a contrast. Here, the art critics consider the artwork is original; therefore, Tom probably concludes the opposite. The phrase “he had seen similar work before” also suggests that the blank means the opposite of being an original. Only "derivative" (imitative) fits this definition.
Example Question #1002 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The coach’s explanation to his team was extremely ___________, and whatever value his strategies may have given his team was lost in the lack of attention given to his words.
humorous
profound
didactic
informative
insightful
didactic
The team did not pay attention to their coach thanks to his style, so the correct answer needs to have a problematic sense. “Informative” and “humorous” would both indicate the speech was interesting, while “profound” and “insightful” both indicate the team was listening. Only “didactic,” which indicates an excessive lecturing and moralistic tone, works with the structure of the sentence.
Example Question #1005 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The young boy was the __________ accomplice to his older sister’s misdeeds, as he simply followed her around wherever she went and never knew what was happening.
knowing
unenthusiastic
willing
important
unwitting
unwitting
The young boy “never knew what was happening,” and therefore had no knowledge of what his sister was doing. The correct answer choice should convey his lack of knowledge. Only “unwitting” has the correct sense out of all the answer choices.
Example Question #1006 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
While all of his friends wanted him to choose sides in the fight, the young man remained __________.
animated
indifferent
excited
fastidious
angry
indifferent
The structure of the sentence indicates that the young man explicitly did not choose sides in the fight, so the correct answer choice needs to mean “uncommitted” or “not caring.” “Indifferent” is the only answer choice meaning just that, while all the other choices indicate choosing a side.
Example Question #1003 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The director's __________ demeanor tended to terrify new employees, but after spending a few months in the company, they usually realized he was harmless.
gargantuan
abrasive
demonstrative
hurried
consoling
abrasive
The word "demonstrative" may be tempting, because it sounds like "monster." but that actually means tending to show emotion. Abrasive means harsh and rough in manner.
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