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 #2106 : Sat Critical Reading

The historian of the Middle Ages believed that everything modern was an __________ version of some more profound and fruitful reality found in the earlier age.

Possible Answers:

undone

incapacitated

unraveled

unkempt

impoverished

Correct answer:

impoverished

Explanation:

The historian is contrasting the “profound and fruitful reality” of the Middle Ages with what he must take to be the less fruitful nature of modernity. The best option is therefore “impoverished,” which implies a loss of “fruitfulness,” “productivity,” or more generally “strength or vitality.” The other options do not directly capture this notion of a loss of vigor.

Example Question #2107 : Sat Critical Reading

Many people thought the water in the cistern was __________, when in fact it had been filled with infusions of the deadly ebola virus.

Possible Answers:

polluted

clean

pristine

innocuous

brackish

Correct answer:

innocuous

Explanation:

The contrast here is between being potentially deadly and healthy (or at least “not deadly”). Note, it is not a contrast between “clean and unclean” or “clean and dirty.” The word “innocuous” means “not harmful.” Being derived from the Latin for “harmful,” it is related to English words like “inoculate” and “noxious.” The “in-” prefix here means “not.”

Example Question #1642 : Psat Critical Reading

Todd would rarely approach his mother with requests, for he knew that his __________ father would rarely deny what he wanted.

Possible Answers:

dunce

irreverent

immature

lenient

unreflective

Correct answer:

lenient

Explanation:

The key thing to note in this sentence is that Todd’s father would rarely deny his requests. Therefore, the best option for the needed word is “lenient,” which means “permissive” or sometimes “forgiving.” Here, it is the first meaning that fits best. The word comes from the Latin for “mild or gentle” and is found in other English words like “leniency” and “lenitude.” (The latter, rather strange, word means “the characteristic of being lenient.” We could speak of “the lenitude of Todd’s father.”).

Example Question #601 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Kevin was not known for making __________ arguments, for his sentences were often labyrinthine, obscure masses of confusion.

Possible Answers:

vertiginous

lucid

unaccomplished

childish

amazing

Correct answer:

lucid

Explanation:

The contrast here is between obscurity and clarity. When something or someone is “lucid,” he or she is able to express ideas or thoughts in a clear manner. The word actually comes from base words for “light,” which are found in English relatives like “lucent,” “translucent,” and even “Lucifer” (the so-called “light bearing angel” who later fell from grace, according to Christian tradition).

Example Question #1643 : Psat Critical Reading

Paula thought that her brother’s appearance was __________, with his multi-colored socks, large wig, and his ridiculous top hat.

Possible Answers:

ludicrous

confusing

embarrassing

ramshackle

unacceptable

Correct answer:

ludicrous

Explanation:

The key word in this sentence is “ridiculous,” which helps to give a sense to what Paula must have thought about the other strange aspects of her brother’s appearance. When something is “ridiculous,” it is not only strange but even more literally is “amusing” or “laughable.” (The word “ridicule” is related to “ridiculous,” both coming from the Latin for “to laugh.”) The word “ludicrous” often means “ridiculous.” It is derived from Latin roots for “to play” or “game.” A “prelude” is a piece of music “played” (in the general, non-game sense) before (“pre-”) the main concert piece.

Example Question #603 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Patrick was eager to start his diet until he realized how __________ his meals would be in order to reduce his caloric intake.

Possible Answers:

unpalatable

disgusting

meager

vegetarian

distasteful

Correct answer:

meager

Explanation:

The only real clue in this sentence is the fact that Patrick’s eagerness was diminished due to the fact that the meals would have to have a greatly reduced caloric intake. Therefore, the best option will be one that merely captures that sense of “reduction,” without introducing other elements unnecessarily. The word “meager” does just this, meaning that something lacks quantity or is thin. In German, the word “mager,” means “lean” or “thin.”

Example Question #52 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Baron Johann von Wulf assured his subordinates that he reached his position only by taking _________ care that no detail ever be overlooked in any undertaking.

Possible Answers:

meticulous

excellent

accomplished

overweening

managed

Correct answer:

meticulous

Explanation:

The key phrase here is “that no detail be overlooked . . .” While one could say that the Baron had excellent or perhaps even overweening care, the sentence most directly implies that he too exceptional care about details. The best option, therefore, is “meticulous,” which means to be precise and careful about every detail of something.

Example Question #53 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Many believed that Douglas always acted in a calculated manner when, in fact, most of his choices were made in a __________ manner.

Possible Answers:

playful

irreligious

reflective

whimsical

disdainful

Correct answer:

whimsical

Explanation:

The two most tempting words here are “whimsical” and “playful,” but it is only the former that fits best. In contrast to acting “in a calculated manner,” Douglas must act in a manner that is not very reflective and not based on much forethought. Although we often say that someone is whimsical when he or she is playful, this adjective can also be used in the sense of “acting on a whim,” that is, “acting on a sudden (perhaps inexplicable) change of mind.” Therefore, “whimsical” is the best option.

Example Question #731 : Sentence Completion Questions

The horror movie featured completely __________ creatures that had to avoid all forms light lest they die.

Possible Answers:

diurnal

nocturnal

lucifugal

vampiric

brackish

Correct answer:

lucifugal

Explanation:

For this sentence, you must use your abilities to “piece together” words from their parts in order to find the correct answer. The creatures mentioned here must “avoid all forms of light.” The key thing to note is that it states “all” forms of light; therefore, “nocturnal” does not best work because that would only imply sunlight. Do not be tempted by “vampiric,” either, for that is not specific enough. The word “lucifugal,” though very rarely used in English, can be guessed even if you have never encountered it. The “luci-” portion of the word means “light” and is related to words like “translucent,” “lucid,” and “pellucid.” The “-fugal” portion of the word comes from Latin roots meaning “to flee” and is related to English words like “fugitive” and “refugee.” Based on this, we can see that the word “lucifugal” means “light-fleeing”—just what is needed for this sentence.

Example Question #55 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Robert loved to have large ceremonies in which he could __________ present himself before a crowd in a grandiose and self-centered manner.

Possible Answers:

unquestionably

impressively

pompously

skillfully

greatly

Correct answer:

pompously

Explanation:

Since Robert likes to draw attention to himself with large ceremonies, he could be said to act “pompously.” In an older sense, “pomp” or a “pompous display” would merely mean a large and splendid event. However, the word often implies not only a grand style but likewise that it is meant to draw attention to the one showing said style.

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