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 #242 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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

The chef had an _________ to Asian cuisine, and refused to consider any jobs at Japanese restaurants.

Possible Answers:

adaptibility

auspiciousness

epiphany

affinity

aversion

Correct answer:

aversion

Explanation:

The sentence makes it clear that the chef does not like Japanese restaurants, therefore he clearly has a problem with Asian cuisine.  Of the available answer choices, only aversion gives the correct meaning.

Example Question #242 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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

The professor used a series of __________ in his education class in order to illustrate some difficulties young teachers face with students.

Possible Answers:

lexicons

veneers

outputs

vignettes

superlatives

Correct answer:

vignettes

Explanation:

"Vignettes" (short sketeches) is the only answer that provides an illustration (either via words or otherwise) from which students can learn. "Veneers" is entirely unrelated, as "verneers" means a surface coating or surface appearance that doesn't accurately characterize the whole; "superlatives" may be used in speech, but they do not alone illustrate potential difficulties; and "lexicons" are also related to words, but again, they do not illustrate difficulties.

Example Question #244 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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

The cleric’s __________ was off-putting; everyone could see he was only pretending to believe.

Possible Answers:

genuineness

scrupulousness

hypocrisy

naivete

sincerity

Correct answer:

hypocrisy

Explanation:

"Hypocrisy" means affectation or false pretense of behaving in a good way. Naturally, a religious man or woman's affected belief would be unsettling.

Example Question #245 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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

Punk music fans seem to enjoy it when their musicians scream __________ at them; they relish being cursed.

Possible Answers:

maledictions

sweetly

blessings

dulcetly

ingratiatingly

Correct answer:

maledictions

Explanation:

"Maledictions" are curses. A punk musician who screams maledictions at his fans is cursing them.

Example Question #246 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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

The punk musician’s __________ ingratiated him to his fans; they loved his rudeness.

Possible Answers:

insolence

nonchalance

sincerity

consideration

empathy

Correct answer:

insolence

Explanation:

"Insolence" means rudeness and arrogance, while "ingratiate" means make someone else see you positively.  A performer whose fans love rudeness would bring himself into their good graces by being arrogant and rude.

Example Question #251 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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

The chess player found himself in a serious __________ when he lost his most powerful piece early in the game.

Possible Answers:

passivity

lexicon

caprice

quandary

provocation

Correct answer:

quandary

Explanation:

"Quandary" means difficulty or problematic situation. A chess player would be in a difficult situation if he or she lost his or her most powerful piece early on in a game.

Example Question #252 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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

The aging professor believed his speeches on immigration laws gave his students a unique perspective, but they mostly viewed him as an out-of-touch __________.

Possible Answers:

hero

champion

testament

bigot

amusement

Correct answer:

bigot

Explanation:

The students view their professor as out of touch, indicating that he is perceived in a negative light. Four of the possible answer choices are very positive. Only "bigot" is sufficiently negative.

Example Question #253 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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

The estate owner was well known for being stingy, and some of his contractors were still seeking __________ years after they had completed their work.

Possible Answers:

remuneration

access

totality

comfort

solace

Correct answer:

remuneration

Explanation:

Upon looking at the answer choices, the word that should stick out in the sentence is "stingy," which means being tight with money; therefore, find the answer choice that is related to money or payment. "Remuneration," which specifically means payment for work, is the only choice with such a starkly financial meaning.

Example Question #1764 : Sat Critical Reading

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

Even though he was the least talented member of the team, the coach always started the midfielder as a __________ to assist the team's fortunes.

Possible Answers:

burden

talisman

poison

hindrance

functionary

Correct answer:

talisman

Explanation:

Remember that the correct answer choice is the best choice, not just an answer that can make sense in the sentence. Here, all the choices can make sense, but only "talisman," meaning a kind of lucky charm, fits best with the notion that the coach is assisting his team's fortunes.

Example Question #1765 : Sat Critical Reading

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

This year’s presidential address was criticized for its dry __________ since it iterated the same political notions over and over.

Possible Answers:

redundancy

monotonous

reminiscence

paganism

banter

Correct answer:

redundancy

Explanation:

"Redundancy" means repetition or reiteration of the same ideas.

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