All PSAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #831 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
When learning another language, it is easiest to remember vocabulary words that are __________ to words in other languages that you know, sharing the same linguistic roots.
identical
approximate
cognate
analogous
equivalent
cognate
Cognate words are ones that share the same lineage, such as the word “fenestra” in English (meaning “an opening in bandage or an opening made in the midst of a surgery”) and the French “fenêtre” (meaning “window”) are both derived from the Latin “fenestra,” (meaning opening for light or a window). The word “cognate” literally means “of the same birth” or “with+born.” The “co[g]-” prefix means “with” (like “cohabitate” or “coordinate”). The “-[g]nate-” portion is derived from Latin roots related to birth. Similar English words are “nativity,” “natal,” and “nascent.”
Example Question #832 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After spending the summer near the ocean, Lawrence was thrilled to return to the __________ hills of his hometown to see the arboreal scenery that he found to be so beautiful in the autumn.
craggy
sylvan
isolated
pastoral
secluded
sylvan
The key word to note is “arboreal” which indicates that the scenery in the hometown has something of a “tree-like” character (or, more likely, is filled with many trees). Nothing is said about the seclusion of the area, and “pastoral” above all implies fields. The word “sylvan” comes from the Latin “silva” for forest.
Example Question #833 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
George vexed his friends by his __________ personality, always lecturing and sermonizing on topics related to the events of contemporary society.
predicatory
pompous
imperious
magnanimous
arrogant
predicatory
The clues in this sentence indicate that George was a “preachy” type of person. Such a person could be called “predicatory,” a rather uncommon word, but one with roots that you can perhaps see. It really is a combination of “pre” and “dicactory.” The prefix here means “before” in the sense of being “before (=in front of) the crowd.” The later is related to words like “diction,” “contradict,” and “dictionary.” Together the word makes an adjective describing one who speaks in front of a crowd.
Example Question #834 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The boy’s mother, remembering earlier times when he was an innocent, upright child, was saddened by the ___________ criminal activities for which he was convicted and sentenced.
unannounced
surprising
questionable
nefarious
unanticipated
nefarious
The implied contrast in this sentence is not merely a matter of expecting one personality type and unexpectedly finding another. Although that is certainly true, the boy’s mother is shocked at the character of the criminal activities. In contrast with an innocent and upright childhood, these activities would not only be unexpected but also “nefarious,” meaning “wicked” or “criminal.”
Example Question #835 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although statistics and physics both utilize significant amounts of mathematics in their explanations, does that mean that these subjects are in reality identical or is it better to say that they are _________?
opposed
differentiated
interchangeable
equivalent
cognate
cognate
The key to this sentence is to strike a balance between strict equivalence and opposition. An equivalence would not provide the needed distinction, and there is nothing in the sentence to indicate a complete contrast. The word “cognate” strikes just such a balance. Although it usually describes words that are descended from the same linguistic roots, “cognate” can also mean “related” or “connected.” The word literally means “of the same birth” or “with+born.” The “co[g]-” prefix means “with” (like “cohabitate” or “coordinate”). The “-[g]nate-” portion is derived from Latin roots related to birth. Similar English words are “nativity,” “natal,” and “nascent.”
Example Question #836 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Rembert’s large frame was matched by a rich, __________ voice, which had a depth proportional to his imposing appearance.
sonorous
deafening
piercing
shrill
blaring
sonorous
Clearly, the sentence wishes to express the depth of Rembert’s voice, but this does not imply anything about its loudness. Do not be fooled by the word “imposing.” It is the depth that is compared to his imposing appearance. The word “sonorous” implies depth and fullness to a voice, which well matches what is needed here.
Example Question #837 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The moralist often examined the possible answers to his inquiries by asking himself if his hypotheses were either discordant or __________ with his personal experience.
erratic
turbulent
germane
confused
consonant
consonant
Although it is difficult to tell if the sentence is looking for a contrast to the word “discordant” or a synonym to it, it should be clear that none of the options can be a synonym in any strict sense. The metaphor of being “discordant” implies that something “clashes” with the moralist’s experience. Therefore, if it must be a contrast, the word “consonant” would work best, as it implies that something is “in agreement with” his experience. Literally, to be consonant means to “sounds with” something else. Two agreeing notes in a piece of music are considered to be “consonant.” The usage here is metaphorical.
Example Question #273 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Joshua had a very _________ daily schedule, rigidly planning every hour of the day.
grueling
regimented
laborious
strenuous
monastic
regimented
Although it might seem that a rigid schedule is difficult, we cannot imply that directly. The word “regimented” best fits the needs of this sentence, meaning “strictly organized in a strict schedule.” The word is related to a number of words for “ruling” such as “regal,” “regent,” and “regalia.”
Example Question #838 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although he lived in exile, the king still bore himself in a __________ manner to distinguish himself from the common people around him.
conceited
cultured
haughty
regal
domineering
regal
There is nothing in this sentence to state that the king was arrogant in his demeanor even if he does distinguish himself from the general lot of people. Although the necessary weaker sense might be expressed by “cultured,” the adjective “regal” likewise conveys the sense of “kingliness.” The word is derived from the Latin word for king and is found in such English words as “regiment,” “regent,” and “interregnum.”
Example Question #839 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After attempting to heal the patient with a number of weak medications, the doctor decided to try a more __________ treatment.
unpredictable
potent
harmful
hazardous
precarious
potent
The contrast here is between “weak” and “strong” not “safe” and “dangerous.” Therefore, the word “potent” is the best choice among our options. “Potent” is related to a number of English words derived from the Latin for “to be able” as well as “power” such as “potency,” “possible,” “potential,” “omnipotent,” and “potentate.”
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