All PSAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #991 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The two __________ nations suddenly broke their pacts and began to war with each other openly.
adjacent
neighboring
continuous
allied
contiguous
allied
The only thing that we know about the two nations here is that they were seemingly at peace with pacts of agreement before things broke down into a state of war; therefore, at that time, they would have been “allies,” meaning that they cooperated with each other. The word is related to the English “alloy,” meaning a metal made by combination of multiple metals.
Example Question #992 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Since the school had rules against eating snack foods between classes, Larry would eat __________ behind his locker door in hopes of avoiding detection.
underhandedly
furtively
regularly
deceptively
sinfully
furtively
The key expression here is “in hopes of avoiding detection.” The best description for an action that is aimed at such a hope would be one that is “sneaky” or “secretive.” When someone is “furtive,” he or she is attempting to avoid being noticed, particularly when breaking a rule. The word comes form Latin roots related to “theft” and “thief,” though the English meaning takes on the more general sense of sneakiness (though, as noted, often with the implication that the secrecy is due to the breaking of some rule).
Example Question #993 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
During the American Revolution, the United States paid several thousand German soldiers to help in the fight against the British; these __________ men played an important role in helping secure independence.
mercenary
creative
implausible
imagined
sardonic
mercenary
From the context of this question you know that the men being described are soldiers and that they are being paid to fight in a war. This would most likely lead you towards the answer choice mercenary, which is correct. Mercenary refers to a professional soldier paid to fight for a country other than his own or, more broadly, someone only interested in profit. Sardonic means sarcastic; implausible means a highly unlikely outcome.
Example Question #994 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The dog only found out that the plastic fruit on display on the table was __________ when he unsuccessfully tried to eat it.
inedible
invokable
irrefutable
indelible
didactic
inedible
We know that the dog tried to eat the plastic fruit and couldn't eat it, so we're looking for an adjective that means "not able to be eaten." "Inedible," which means "not able to be eaten," is the best answer choice. You can figure out its meaning by considering its component parts: the prefix "in-" means "not", and "edible" means "able to be eaten." While "indelible" sounds similar, it refers to ink or pens and means "making marks that cannot be erased or removed." Its prefix and root follow the same pattern though: "in" still means "not," and "delible" by itself refers to marks and means "able to be deleted."
Example Question #995 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
King George VI was known for his __________ speech, which contributed greatly to his difficulties with public speaking.
halting
opportune
decisive
instantaneous
negligible
halting
From the context of the sentence you know that whatever quality of the king’s speaking abilities is being described it must contribute to his difficulties with public speaking. Decisive and opportune would both positively contribute to his speaking abilities. Instantaneous (which means something done instantly) and negligible (which means neglectful) do not fit comfortably. Only halting, which means containing frequent stops or pauses, fits neatly into the sentence.
Example Question #996 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although Heather was normally __________, she shied away from walking across the swinging rope bridge.
intrepid
disinclined
timorous
pragmatic
obstinate
intrepid
Someone who is intrepid is fearless. The statement says that although Heather was too scared to walk across the swinging rope bridge, she is normally quite adventurous. Thus, the word that is the best fit in the sentence is intrepid.
Example Question #997 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The small town bustled as everyone prepared to give the __________ politician a grand welcome.
disappointed
emergent
despised
eminent
measly
eminent
Eminent means prominent or distinguished. The townspeople are putting effort into welcoming the politician because of this quality. While emergent is also plausible, if the politician is new to the political scene, it does not fit the "grand welcome" as well as eminent. The other answers are all negative, and the blank fits with a positive adjective.
Example Question #998 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The root of the word "__________" comes from a Greek myth about a young boy who could not stop himself from staring longingly at his own reflection; he fell in love with his own beauty.
preternatural
steadfast
comely
substance
narcissistic
narcissistic
The word narcissistic comes from the Greek myth about a boy named Narcissus who falls in love with his own reflection. It means self-absorbed and vain. If you did not know this you would have to try and eliminate answer choices. Steadfast means resolute, substance means of value, and preternatural means unnatural or supernatural. None of the previously mentioned words make much sense in the context of the sentence. Comely could perhaps be considered an adequate answer, but comely means just cute, not beautiful. Narcissistic is the best option.
Example Question #992 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
_________ displays of wealth were common among the rulers of Renaissance Europe; some observers enjoyed the displays of luxury, others complained that the Kings were just showing off.
Halting
Ostentatious
Steadfast
Equitable
Insular
Ostentatious
From the information revealed in the sentence you know that the blank word must be close in meaning to “wealth” and “luxury.” Also, the notion that the Kings were showing off suggests that some people found it not just rich, but also showy. This should lead you to the correct answer ostentatious. Ostentatious means marked by a vulgar or showy display of wealth. Insular means inwardly focused; halting means speech characterized by frequent pauses; steadfast means resolute; equitable means fair and agreeable.
Example Question #993 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The palace at Versailles is one of the most __________ in all of Europe; it remains a popular tourist site today due to the excessive luxury on display.
laconic
reserved
extravagant
whimsical
indoctrinated
extravagant
The second clause in the sentence describes how people come from all over to witness the “excessive luxury” of Versailles. This should indicate to you that the first blank must describe the luxurious nature of the palace. The correct answer is therefore extravagant which means fancy or excessive. Whimsical means quirky or silly; reserved means contained; indoctrinated means to have been caused to believe something; laconic means brief.
Certified Tutor