All PSAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #301 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
In his enjoyment of the concert, Isidore was transported into a __________ state of aesthetic joy.
giddy
tremulous
lolling
heady
rapturous
rapturous
Given the verb “transported,” this sentence describes a significant state experienced by Isidore. The term “rapture” best captures such intensity in experiencing delight. The word is derived from the Latin for “to seize,” and a person who is “rapt” is seized by some experience.
Example Question #302 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The dull early spring soon gave way to the __________ colors of the full spring bloom.
vivid
vernal
arboreal
florid
variegated
vivid
When applied to colors, the word “vivid” describes particular depth or brilliance. Generally, thoughts or recollections are termed “vivid,” as in “vivid memories;” however, the term originally meant merely “lively.” It is derived from the Latin base “to live” founding words like “revive,” “vivacious,” and “survive.”
Example Question #303 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After two years on the shelf, the spices had become __________, having little remaining taste.
archaic
moldy
solidified
insipid
rancid
insipid
Based on the information provided, the only thing that we can say about the spices in question is that they have lost their flavor. In such a case, the spices are considered “insipid,” a word that is the opposite of “sapid,” which means “having a strong taste.”
Example Question #343 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After years of eating musty bread and thin chicken broth, the former prisoner of war found almost any food to be __________ in comparison with the tasteless food he had eaten during his captivity.
sapid
passable
exciting
arable
acceptable
sapid
The key thing to note is that the food is being contrasted with being “tasteless”; therefore, the best option will be one that explicitly describes being tasteful. The word “sapid” means “having a strong and pleasing flavor.” It is the opposite of the related word “insipid,” which means “having little flavor.”
Example Question #344 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The popular science fiction novels written during the first half of the twentieth century inspired a number of __________ works that drew on portions of the originals, though in a somewhat diminished and less inspired manner.
childish
derivative
jejune
immature
tedious
derivative
All that can be said about the works in question is that they copied the originals and that they fell short to some degree; however, one must be careful not to infer anything further than that; therefore, “derivative” is the best options, a word meaning that something is an imitation of another work (or works). While it does often have a negative sense, that negativity can merely imply that the derived work falls short. The word comes from roots that literally mean “down stream from something.” The "-riv-" portion is related to words like "rivulet" and "river."
Example Question #345 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The judges did not realize the __________ nature of the decision they had handed down, for its importance appeared to be minimal at that time, though it was destined to grow significantly.
preceding
interesting
intriguing
momentous
waxing
momentous
Since the decision in question was to become important, it would best be called “momentous,” meaning that it would be of great influence or significance in the future. Sometimes, you will see this same sense communicated in expressions like “decision of moment.”
Example Question #301 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although Vera wished to marry her high school sweetheart, her family __________ opposed her wishes, inflexibly insisting that she leave the town in order to go to college.
adamantly
regularly
perpetually
continuously
ceaselessly
adamantly
The key word to note here is “inflexibly,” a clue word that indicates that the word needed is not one of the potential options dealing with continuous opposition. Instead, “adamantly” best fits the situation, meaning “refusing to alter one’s opinion or position.” The word comes originally from the Greek for “invincible” (or also “diamond”). It is related to the English “adamantine,” meaning unbreakable.
Example Question #855 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Since Blaise did not wish ever to return the poverty of his youth, he pursued all of his financial goals with __________ determination, utterly refusing to yield to any obstacles.
adamantine
admirable
dedicated
devoting
commendable
adamantine
Since Blaise was unyielding, it could be said that his determination was unbreakable. The word “adamantine” fits that need best. The trap answers “devoted” and “dedicated” do not capture such strong determination, as indicated by the key phrase “utterly refusing . . .” The word comes from Greek roots meaning “invincible” (or also “diamond”). It is related to the English “adamant,” meaning “refusing to alter one’s opinion or position.”
Example Question #981 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Every time that Reginald visited the art gallery, he was saddened that his wife was unable to enjoy such __________ pleasures with him.
intellectual
social
ascetical
aesthetic
educated
aesthetic
In this sentence, it is necessary to choose the option most directly appropriate based on the information given. Although artistic pleasures might be intellectual or educated pleasures, they are most certainly “aesthetic” or “aesthetical” pleasures. Something “aesthetic” is concerned with beauty and its appreciation. The word is derived from Greek words dealing with sense perception, a root found in “anesthesia,” which is the treatment that puts a patient “out of his or her senses” before an operation.
Example Question #982 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although Frederick thought his work was quite an accomplishment, in reality it was __________ at best.
pedantic
parochial
rustic
degenerate
mediocre
mediocre
The opposition here is between accomplished or exemplary work and work that would be considered “run of the mill” or average. When something is “mediocre,” it is not necessarily poor in quality (though we often think of the term in that manner). Most properly speaking, it is merely of “middling” or average quality—the “middle” sense being easily seen in the “medi-” with which the word begins. Think here of related words like “mediate” and “medieval.”
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