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 #852 : Sentence Completion

Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

Jamie was __________ after finishing the marathon, and his wife had to handle the kids by herself for the rest of the day.

Possible Answers:

bewildered

exhausted

enthused

splendid

disenchanted

Correct answer:

exhausted

Explanation:

The contextual clues in the sentence tell us that Jamie was not able to do much after he finished the race, and because it was a marathon it is reasonable to assume that the reason for this is that he had no energy left. The word "exhausted" means drained of one's physical or mental resources, so "exhausted" is the correct answer because it best fits the sentence's context.

Example Question #556 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

In the poem entitled The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost writes about two different and __________ paths that people can take in their lives.

Possible Answers:

analogous

convergent

adverse

 

divergent

nefarious

Correct answer:

divergent

Explanation:

Something that is divergent is dissimilar or different. The key word to notice in the sentence is "different," which indicates that the two roads people can take are divergent.

Example Question #854 : Sentence Completion

In Gulliver's Travels, Gulliver comes upon a land where the people are __________; they are small in size compared to Gulliver, who has an average body size.

Possible Answers:

augmented

gargantuan

prodigious

erroneous

lilliputian

Correct answer:

lilliputian

Explanation:

If something is "lilliputian" in size, it means that it is small. Since the people of the country are smaller than Gulliver, who is average size, this is the best answer.

Example Question #20 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

After staying up the entire night before the exam to study, Joe was __________ the next day.

Possible Answers:

lethargic

invigorated

emaciated

taciturn

jocular

Correct answer:

lethargic

Explanation:

Since Joe pulled an all-nighter, he was presumably tired, or lethargic, the next day.

Example Question #11 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

The ice sculpture, floating island, and expensive party favors seemed __________ to the bride, who had wanted a small affair.

Possible Answers:

ostentatious

reverent

tactful

rancorous

perfidious

Correct answer:

ostentatious

Explanation:

Since the bride had wanted a small wedding, the flaunting of wealth through the sculpture and party favors would have seemed "ostentatious."

Example Question #561 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The ancient king Asoka was famously __________, and for this reason he was often called upon to mediate in disputes between his subjects.

Possible Answers:

equitable 

impoverished 

condescending

deplorable 

lackadaisical

Correct answer:

equitable 

Explanation:

From the context of the sentence, you know that King Asoka must have possessed some positive trait that caused people to come to him for help in settling disagreements. Of the five possible answer choices, only "equitable"(fair) describes a positive attribute when it comes to mediation. As for the other answer choices, "deplorable" means appalling or terrible; "condescending" means talking down to someone or being arrogant towards someone; "lackadaisical" means careless, apathetic, or lazy; and "impoverished" means very poor.

Example Question #562 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Marie Antoinette was __________ about her appearance; she once refused to meet the English Queen because she was worried that a single hair had gone grey. 

Possible Answers:

cursory

steadfast 

fastidious

vindictive

restrained 

Correct answer:

fastidious

Explanation:

From the context of this sentence, you know firstly that the blank word must describe some attitude taken by Marie Antoinette towards her appearance, and that it must relate to her worries about something small (the “single grey hair”). The word "fastidious" means concerned with making the smallest details perfect, and is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "vindictive" means spiteful; "cursory" means done in a quick and superficial way; "restrained" means showing restraint; and "steadfast" means unwavering in resolve and firm of purpose.

Example Question #853 : One Blank Sentences

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

The young prince was famously __________, often sulking and complaining for days at a time when he did not get his way.

Possible Answers:

incessant

vindictive

notorious

petulant 

miserly 

Correct answer:

petulant 

Explanation:

The way this sentence is constructed tells you that the missing word being used to describe the young Prince must relate to his frequent episodes of sulking and complaining. Of the five answer choices, "petulant," which means sulky or ill-tempered, most closely matches this description. As for the other answer choices, "miserly" means greedy or unwilling to share; "incessant" means constant; "notorious" refers to someone who is famous for the wrong reasons; and "vindictive" means looking for revenge or spiteful.

Example Question #861 : Sentence Completion

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

John's teacher told him that he needed to cut down on the punctuation; there were __________ commas everywhere in his last essay.

Possible Answers:

dissonant

essential

flatulent

superfluous

exquisite

Correct answer:

superfluous

Explanation:

"Superfluous" means excessive. We know from the first half of the sentence that John uses too much punctuation, so this is the correct choice. "Essential" and "exquisite" are both positive adjectives, so they don't work in this blank. "Flatulent" and "dissonant" simply don't make sense when describing commas.

Example Question #661 : One Blank Sentences

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

It is often difficult for historians to construct a(n) __________ narrative, as personal bias affects every individual.

Possible Answers:

dispassionate

verbose

rhetorical

whimsical

influential

Correct answer:

dispassionate

Explanation:

The sentence reveals that it is difficult for a historian to construct a certain type of narrative because of the impact of bias; therefore, the word that goes in the blank must refer to the quality of being unbiased. "Dispassionate" means calmly objective or not influenced by personal feelings, so it is the best answer. As for the other answer choices, "whimsical" means quirky; "rhetorical" means relating to strategies of making language effective and persuasive; "verbose" means wordy; and "influential" means having influence or important.

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