PSAT Critical Reading : Parts of Speech in One-Blank Sentences
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Example Questions
Example Question #131 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
Maria occasionally experiences __________ dreaming, but usually her dreams are utterly incomprehensible.
nebulous
peripheral
lucid
wary
insolent
lucid
"Lucid" means comprehensible, clear, or understandable. "Wary" means careful or cautious. "Peripheral" means minor, outside, or incidental. "Nebulous" means murky, confused, or obscured. "Insolent" means bold or disrespectful.
Example Question #132 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Select the word or word pair that best completes the sentence.
Even in the dead of the jungle night, the adventurer could read his daily log by the moonlight shining through his __________ mosquito net.
elongated
impeccable
acrid
diaphanous
diaphanous
While the adventurer's mosquito net might very well be "impeccable" (flawless), "acrid" (smelly) or "elongated" (if he was perhaps a very tall adventurer), all that we know for sure is that light can shine through it—and that is the exact meaning of "diaphanous."
Example Question #133 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
The tantrum-throwing toddler remained __________ and refused to eat his vegetables.
palpable
didactic
bucolic
antediluvian
obdurate
obdurate
"Obdurate" means pigheaded or stubborn. "Antediluvian" means out-of-date or prehistoric (ante=before, diluvian=the flood). "Bucolic" means rural or rustic in nature. "Didactic" means educational or explanatory. "Palpable" means clear or obvious.
Example Question #976 : One Blank Sentences
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
My uncle is always complaining about something. He's the most __________ person I know.
recalcitrant
venerable
taciturn
querulous
nonchalant
querulous
"Querulous" means habitually complaining or whining. "Recalcitrant" means stubbornly defiant. "Taciturn" means reserved or uncommunicative. "Venerable" means revered or sacred. "Nonchalant" means casual or unconcerned.
Example Question #131 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
The __________ Buddhist monk sat in contemplative silence at the back of the temple.
lugubrious
imperial
myriad
taciturn
gregarious
taciturn
"Taciturn" means reserved or uncommunicative. "Gregarious" means outgoing or sociable. "Imperial" means majestic, noble, or proud. "Lugubrious" means depressing or somber. "Myriad" means multiple or various.
Example Question #978 : One Blank Sentences
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
Shortly after the Big Bang, the __________ universe was just a swirling mass of gas and dust.
lackadaisical
hackneyed
fetid
inchoate
myopic
inchoate
"Inchoate" means undeveloped or beginning. "Myopic" means nearsighted or biased. "Lackadaisical" means careless or indifferent. "Hackneyed" means cliched or corny. "Fetid" means foul or rancid.
Example Question #979 : One Blank Sentences
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
It's impossible to argue with someone who has only a __________ understanding of the facts.
intractable
tenuous
indelible
pragmatic
culpable
tenuous
"Tenuous" means delicate or flimsy. "Indelible" means indestructible or enduring. "Pragmatic" means sensible or practical. "Intractable" means difficult or incurable. "Culpable" means responsible, liable, or guilty.
Example Question #132 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
The Donner Party's dream of reaching California was rendered __________ by a devastating blizzard in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
tranquil
venturesome
sodden
nafarious
futile
futile
"Futile" means hopeless or pointless. "Venturesome" means courageous or adventurous. "Tranquil" means calm and peaceful. "Sodden" means saturated or drenched. "Nefarious" means horrible or sinful.
Example Question #792 : Sentence Completions
Select the word or word pair that best completes the sentence.
Just because I have changed my major seven times doesn't mean that I am __________ in every aspect of my life.
prodigious
incessant
fickle
esoteric
fickle
Had this student actually completed seven degrees she could make the argument that her academic life was "prodigious" (which describes something that is enormous or exceptional). And one could attempt to argue that she "incessantly" (without ceasing) changed majors. But the best answer here is "fickle" (changing frequently; not particularly loyal or reliable).
Example Question #793 : Sentence Completions
Select the word or word pair that best completes the sentence.
Having composed thousands of text messages over the course of the month, John was struggling to keep his term paper from sounding too __________.
aloof
colloquial
livid
mediocre
colloquial
Most people compose text messages using language that is more informal and conversational than the language they might use in a formal essay for school—instead of asking a friend, "Would you do me the honor of dining with me this afternoon?" you might simply text (more "colloquially"), "hey—let's get lunch." Thus, "colloquial" (language used in casual, everyday situations) is the best answer here.
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