PSAT Critical Reading : Parts of Speech in One-Blank Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #401 : Sentence Completion

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

Although the music originally had been written for the harpsichord, a number of __________ have been performed by playing the works on full organ.

Possible Answers:

duplicates

renditions

derivatives

sonatas

copies

Correct answer:

renditions

Explanation:

The key phrase in this sentence is “have been performed . . .” This indicates that the focus is on a given interpretive performance of the works, here playing the original harpsichord music on the organ instead. Such interpretive activity is often called a “rendition,” a word related to “render,” in the sense of “giving something back but in an another form.” There is implied, therefore, some kind of “translation,” as would be the case here when the harpsichord music is “translated” into an organ performance.

Example Question #211 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

In the late Middle Ages, many authors provided extensive outlines and explications of the works of Aristotle; however, they were not mere __________, for they also undertook many creative works on topics not directly related to Aristotle’s texts.

Possible Answers:

stenographers

commentators

reproductions

copyists

clerks

Correct answer:

commentators

Explanation:

Since the authors in question are said to have written outlines and explications, these works would best be called “commentaries.” Such works are written with the explicit intention of giving an explanation of someone else’s works. The persons writing such works are called “commentators.”

Example Question #211 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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

Since Devin could not abide the sound of __________, he found it necessary to leave the dining hall any times would sit and chew their food in his presence.

Possible Answers:

biting

grinding

clacking

crushing

mastication

Correct answer:

mastication

Explanation:

The only sound that is implied as being annoying here is that of chewing; therefore, while biting, crushing, grinding, and (perhaps) even clacking could be part of the process of eating, our best option would be one that most directly matches the chewing mentioned in the main clause of the sentence. To this end, “mastication” fits best, as it generally is used to describe merely the process of chewing, generally taken.

Example Question #212 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Although a child may act without being responsible for the results of his or her acts, an adult must acknowledge all such __________ of his or her conscious choices.

Possible Answers:

functions

obligations

repercussions

requirement

moralities

Correct answer:

repercussions

Explanation:

The results of ones acts might also be called their repercussions. Technically, repercussions are unintended consequences. An adult might not always pay heed to his or her acts, thus leading him or her to overlook such consequences; however, the sense of the sentence is that such a person should be more conscious than the child, paying heed to such potential outcomes. The word literally means “rebounding” or “hitting again,” the prefix “re-” indicating repetition and the “-percussion” portion related to root words from Latin meaning “to strike or hit.” A percussion instrument (a drum, gong, etc) is one that must be hit in order to function.

Example Question #402 : Sentence Completion

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

The company held regular __________, at which various specialists offered training on a range of technical subject timely to the employees’ work.

Possible Answers:

summits

meetings

seminars

gatherings

lecterns

Correct answer:

seminars

Explanation:

Clearly, the sentence means to indicate that the employees are having some sort of gathering or meeting. What is key, however, is to note that these meetings are intended to train them in given topics. This particular addition helps to narrow the answer choice to “seminars,” a word derived from the Latin “semen,” meaning seed. While seminars might be general meetings or discussions, they often imply some kind of training or at least a choice of topics that will be “seeds” for current and future thought. This root can be found in other words like “insemination” and “disseminate.”

Example Question #221 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The two opposing __________ of troops collided with each other in the field of battle.

Possible Answers:

cavalries

clusters

hosts

phalanxes

gangs

Correct answer:

hosts

Explanation:

For this sentence, we are looking for the most general term that can apply to the troops, since we are told nothing about their composition (e.g. cavalries) or their formation (e.g. phalanxes). While “clusters” or “gangs” might seem best, these options really do not apply well to troops. They would be acceptable only if no other options remained; however, the word “hosts” can mean “armies,” as the word is derived from the Latin for “enemy.” This meaning definitely could be applied to two opposing armies. Note that this is very different from the sense of “host” as in one who would “host a party.” The two usages have different derivations from Latin, the former being related to "hostile."

Example Question #222 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

After weeks of working in the sun, Rachel’s normally pale __________ had greatly darkened, emphasizing the radiant color of her irises.

Possible Answers:

complexion

brow

appearance

melatonin

mien

Correct answer:

complexion

Explanation:

Here, the best option is “complexion” because this captures both the facts hinted in the question. “Complexion” means one’s normal skin color, particularly as this applies to his or her face. This is the best option not only because it best pairs with “pale” but also because the sentence hints that it is the face that is drawing this attention—as indicated by “emphasizing the radiant color of her irises.”

Example Question #223 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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

The prime minister held an ___________ with the press corps, in order to explain the recent secret operations of the military.

Possible Answers:

inquest

exposition

analysis

audience

inquisition

Correct answer:

audience

Explanation:

The general sense of the sentence is that the prime minister held a meeting with the press corps. When a public official holds a meeting in order to be interviewed, it is called an “audience.” While we generally apply the term to the group of persons listening to or watching an event, it more generally can mean “a hearing.” The word itself is related to other “listening” and “hearing” words such as “audio,” “audible,” and “audition.”

Example Question #221 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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

The twine functioned as an adequate __________ to hold up Aaron’s significantly oversized slacks.

Possible Answers:

buttress

circlet

rope

brace

cincture

Correct answer:

cincture

Explanation:

“Cincture” is a somewhat archaic term for belt, still used in describing the belt worn by Catholic monks. Although its usage is generally literary, it is not completely impossible to ascertain its meaning. The word “succinct” has similar roots, coming from the Latin for “encircled.” When someone is “succinct,” they are brief in describing something. In a sense, such a person quickly “encircles” a topic.

Example Question #222 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

After a long period of __________, Robert roused himself from his slumber.

Possible Answers:

insensitivity

unconsciousness

dormition

indifference

immobility

Correct answer:

dormition

Explanation:

Since Robert was only said to be asleep, the best term to use would be one that is directly related to sleep. The term “dormition” is very rare in standard English usage. It is generally used only by Orthodox churches to describe the death of Mary, Jesus’ mother; however, the term does have its own intrinsic meaning in English, for it is derived from the Latin “dormire” (=to sleep), roots shared with words like “dormitory” and “dormant.” In this sense, “dormition” means more generally “the act of sleeping.”

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