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 #493 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Despite the partial fingerprint and hair found at the crime scene, the evidence was not enough to __________ the suspect, so she was set free. 

Possible Answers:

induce

incriminate

obstinate

release

juxtapose

Correct answer:

incriminate

Explanation:

The word "despite" tells us that the second half of the sentence will contradict the first. So looking at the first half, we would think that the suspect would go to jail, but we need to complete the second half with a word that contradicts that. Incriminate fits here, because the sentence says that the evidence was not enough to send the suspect to jail.

Example Question #501 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The sky was full of heavy storm clouds, but Tom didn't think it was necessary to bring an umbrella; he had never been able to __________ the weather.

Possible Answers:

manipulate

broadcast

forecast

gesticulate

formulate

Correct answer:

forecast

Explanation:

From the first part of the sentence, we know that Tom doesn't understand that heavy clouds mean rain. He is not able to forecast, or predict, the weather. It is common to hear about people broadcasting the weather, but that does not fit as well with the first half of the sentence.

Example Question #502 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Since the left side of Benjamin’s body was injured by the accident, he had to __________ by using his right arm for many actions that formerly were more comfortably performed from his left side.

Possible Answers:

normalize

compensate

prevail

overcome

succeed

Correct answer:

compensate

Explanation:

The key thing to note is that Benjamin had to transfer many tasks from one side of his body to the other. When someone “compensates,” they use one thing to make up for the (real or perceived) deficiencies in another. The word can also mean “to pay back in due measure,” as when an employee is compensated for work. This is related but not the same to the sense being used here.

Example Question #494 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

Knowing that the investor was generous in donating his money, a number of organizations would __________ him at the end of the year in the hopes of receiving some donation from him in response.

Possible Answers:

disturb

solicit

bother

visit

invoke

Correct answer:

solicit

Explanation:

We know neither if these organizations would visit or bother the investor, but it is quite obvious that they are asking for something (i.e. donations); therefore, we can at least say that they are “soliciting” him. The word is related to English words like “solicitude” (meaning “showing concern”) and is more distantly derived from Latin roots meaning “anxious.” In the case of our usage of “solicit,” you can think of it as being “anxious” to get a donation.

Example Question #495 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

Although Peter’s commute in no way required him to pass by his girlfriend’s house, he __________ a set of circumstances that would take him by there at least twice a week.

Possible Answers:

managed

admitted

contrived

created

undertook

Correct answer:

contrived

Explanation:

Since Peter had no reason to drive past his girlfriend’s house, he needed to create the circumstances that would allow him to do so. When one “contrives” something, he or she creates it by means of explicit skill. This option is better than “created,” for “contrived” captures the sense of the need for Peter’s creative effort.

Example Question #496 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

Barbara had __________ the largest collection of garlic bulbs on the east coast, far outnumbering even the second most sizable of such collections.

Possible Answers:

heaped

piled

categorized

cataloged

amassed

Correct answer:

amassed

Explanation:

Since Barbara gathered a large collection, the best term to select is “amassed.” The other two tempting options are likely “heaped” or “piled,” but while these two words do partially imply a respectable number of items, (in order to create a heap or a pile), they primarily signify the act of creating the piles or heaps. The word “amass,” on the other hand, primarily means “to gather together,” usually implying a large number as well. The word is indifferent to the manner by which these items are gathered together.

Example Question #723 : Sentence Completion

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

The complexity of analogies often __________ even the most perceptive of philosophers, who often confuse such nuanced uses with forms of strict equivalence of meaning.

Possible Answers:

stultifys

confutes

eludes

overwhelms

overcomes

Correct answer:

eludes

Explanation:

Since even the most perceptive philosophers misunderstand analogical predication, it “escapes” them. When something “eludes” someone, it “escapes” him or her in the sense of not being understood. The word comes from Latin roots literally meaning “to play away from,” though it takes more nuanced forms in English. It is related to words like “illusion,” “elusive,” and even “prelude."

Example Question #726 : One Blank Sentences

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

The members of the PTA were quick to __________ their allegiance to the campaign, openly and publicly declaring their support of the proposal to lengthen the school day. 

Possible Answers:

allege

disclaim

impress

belie

avow

Correct answer:

avow

Explanation:

"Avow" means to declare openly. The sentence provides the exact definition of the correct answer choice, making this question a quiz of the test-taker’s vocabulary. If you know the definition of “avow,” you’ll be quick to choose the correct answer.

Example Question #727 : One Blank Sentences

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

The employees felt __________ after their manager publicly blamed them for his mistake, and then he refused to answer any phone calls or emails after the incident.

Possible Answers:

marooned

repudiated

surrendered

reserved

redeemed

Correct answer:

marooned

Explanation:

The sentence implies that the employees were left to their own devices after the incident in question, and “marooned” means to be left isolated and alone and without means of escape. “Marooned” is the correct word choice to describe the feelings of the employees.

Example Question #724 : Sentence Completion

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

The couple wanted someone who had known both of them since childhood to __________ their marriage ceremony, so they asked a close family friend to lead the service.

Possible Answers:

abbreviate

elucidate

officiate

tome

traduce

Correct answer:

officiate

Explanation:

“Officiate” most closely means to perform a ceremony or duty in an official capacity. As a marriage ceremony, in this context, would be an official ceremony, "officiate" is the best answer choice.

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