PSAT Critical Reading : Nouns in One-Blank Sentences
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Critical Reading
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Example Questions
Example Question #71 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
In praise of the speaker’s talk, the crowd gave him a resounding __________.
yelp
hauteur
ovulation
acceptance
ovation
ovation
The two key words in this sentence are “praise” and “resounding.” The sentence implies that the crowd greatly praised the speaker. When someone gives an “ovation,” he or she does just that. Often this signifies that the praise is in the way of applause. We often speak of “standing ovations” when a crowd stands up at the end of a show in order to applaud. Do not be tricked by “ovulation,” which has nothing to do with this sentence. That word has to do with the release of an egg in the female reproductive system.
Example Question #1572 : Sat Critical Reading
The light rainfall left the wooden rowboat glistening, the water giving a slight reflective __________ on the oars stacked on its sides.
quantity
sheen
feel
texture
color
sheen
We can infer that because the rainfall left the rowboat "glistening" and that the noun that will go in the blank will be described by the adjectives "slight" and "reflective," we need to pick out a word that has something to do with shininess, and in particular, slight shininess. While "color" may look like a potentially correct answer, it wouldn't make sense in the blank, because the sentence isn't talking about "color," but shininess. "Sheen," however, is a noun that means "a soft luster on a surface," and because "sheen" best describes the slight shininess that the rowboat acquires after being rained on, "sheen" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1573 : Sat Critical Reading
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
The government was held in __________ until the issue of healthcare was resolved.
abeyance
affinity
ambience
alacrity
affirmation
abeyance
The choice that makes the most sense is abeyance: a temporary state of suspended action.
Example Question #67 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
The assassination of the country’s political leaders led to a period of __________ and turmoil.
antipathy
piety
anarchy
probity
apathy
anarchy
The choice that makes the most sense is anarchy: a state of disorder due to the absence of a governing body.
Example Question #68 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
The __________ of the mind seems to wane significantly after a child has passed a certain age.
pique
precept
platitude
plasticity
posterity
plasticity
The choice that makes the most sense is plasticity: ability to be easily shaped or molded.
Example Question #69 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Pick the word that best completes the sentence
The doctor was stumped: he had no idea what the __________ was for this particular snake bite.
ceratoid
analgesia
myalgia
antidote
antibiotic
antidote
An antidote is a subtance which reverses the effect of poisoning—while "antibiotic" is close, in this context, a snake bite releases poison, not bacteria, so the best word is "antidote."
Example Question #171 : One Blank Sentences
Pick the best word to complete the sentence.
Political scientists will debate for years to come about whether Barack Obama's healthcare __________ was the best solution.
policies
deployment
institutions
reform
legislations
reform
Based on the verb in the sentence, this word needs to be singular—so although policy and legislation might make sense based solely on meaning, reform is the best answer.
Example Question #77 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
Simon had to resort to trickery and __________ to convince his mother to let him go out on Friday night.
respite
panacea
prudence
chicanery
skepticism
chicanery
"Chicanery" means deception or trickery. "Skepticism" means doubt or disbelief. "Respite" means a pause or suspension of activity. "Prudence" means caution or carefullness. "Panacea" means a cure-all or remedy.
Example Question #172 : One Blank Sentences
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
Nobody is perfect; we all have our own __________.
foibles
genres
dictums
jargons
mendicants
foibles
"Foible" means a personal imperfection or shortcoming. "Mendicant" means a beggar or vagabond. "Jargon" is a dialect or invented language. "Genre" means a type or category. "Dictum" means a saying or a proverb.
Example Question #79 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
__________ to you Bill! You really did well on the vocabulary portion of the exam.
maxims
chagrins
acumens
kudos
edicts
kudos
"Kudos" means congratulations or praise. "Chagrin" means displeasure or annoyance. "Edict" means a pronouncement or order. "Acumen" means ability to understand or reason, acuity, or ingenuity. "Maxim" means a saying or a proverb.
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