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 #401 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

After three months in solitary confinement, the prisoner's body was __________.

Possible Answers:

discordant

incompetent

enticing

delirious

weak

Correct answer:

weak

Explanation:

Although solitary confinement suggests insanity or lack of social structure, the sentence is specifically describing the prisoner's body, not his mental state. We need an adjective with a negative connotation, so "enticing" makes no sense. "Incompetent" and "delirious," though they could describe a person after solitary confinement, would not be used to refer to the body. "Discordant," although possibly descriptive of a prisoner's state of mind or actions after receiving solitary confinement, does not describe the body. These answer choices are especially difficult because "weak" is the least complex vocabulary word in the answer choices.

Example Question #1056 : One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Napoleon may have been _________ in stature, but he was still a powerful ruler who almost controlled the whole European continent.

Possible Answers:

arrogant

sagacious

lupine

diminutive

illuminated

Correct answer:

diminutive

Explanation:

From the use of the word “stature” you know that whatever attribute of Napoleon is being described it refers to his size. Of the five answer choices only diminutive is a word that describes the size of something. Diminutive means very small, and is the correct answer. Sagacious means wise; lupine means wolf-like or related to wolves; illuminated means to make something easier to understand.

Example Question #1992 : Psat Critical Reading

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

King Asoka, an ancient Indian Emperor, was considered profoundly wise and ­__________ for adopting Buddhist practices in his empire.

Possible Answers:

arrogant

remiss

sagacious

regressive 

predictable

Correct answer:

sagacious

Explanation:

From the context of the sentence you can see that the blank word must be closely related, or identical in meaning, to the word “wise.” Of the five answer choices sagacious most closely resembles this meaning. Sagacious means wise or shrewd. Remiss means careless or negligent; regressive means to take a step backwards towards a less developed condition.

Example Question #402 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The professor's __________ personality made many students avoid his particular brand of unpredictable teaching.

Possible Answers:

garrulous

exuberant

cantankerous

easygoing

ebullient

Correct answer:

cantankerous

Explanation:

The key word in this sentence is "unpredictable," which, when coupled with the way students avoid the professor, indicate that there is something unpleasant or disagreeable about him. "Cantankerous," which means ill-tempered or disagreeable, is the only answer choice with such a negative connotation.

Example Question #1241 : Sentence Completion

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The CEO's __________ remarks towards his employees signaled the end of his time at the company.

Possible Answers:

derogatory

lukewarm

complimentary

amiable

ambivalent

Correct answer:

derogatory

Explanation:

The context of the sentence, that the CEO had to leave the company, indicates that the correct answer choice is something extremely serious. Also, because the comments were about his employees and got him in trouble, the tone of the comments had to be quite negative. "Derogatory," which means insulting and uncomplimentary, is the answer choice that best fits both of those parameters.

Example Question #1241 : One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The old woman was so __________ that she looked through dumpsters for coupons others had thrown away.

Possible Answers:

obsequious

preeminent

generous

resplendent

impecunious

Correct answer:

impecunious

Explanation:

The behavior exhibited by the old woman is a clear indicator that she has some problems with money. Two of the answer choices, "obsequious" and "preeminent," do not have much to do with financial issues. "Resplendent" and "generous," while having some relation to money, generally indicate having a large amount of wealth. "Impecunious," which means not having financial means, is the correct choice.

Example Question #412 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Fortunately, the concussed player was ___________ during his post-game check-up, and the prognosis was that he would recover well.

Possible Answers:

unhinged

disoriented

muddled

lucid

confused

Correct answer:

lucid

Explanation:

While the player did receive a concussion, which indicates harm and mental confusion, the structure of the sentence indicates something different. The fact that the player has a good prognosis means that he was actually clear-headed and awake, making "lucid" the correct answer.

Example Question #1242 : Sentence Completion

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

When their father decided to dress like them, his teenage children thought he looked ___________ and hopelessly out of touch.

Possible Answers:

ludicrous

stylish

sublime

dexterous

suave

Correct answer:

ludicrous

Explanation:

The main phrase to pay attention to in this sentence is "hopelessly out of touch." All choices with any sort of positive tone can be ruled out. The correct answer choice needs to indicate that the father looks silly, which is the definition of "ludicrous."

Example Question #1051 : One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

After three months in a hospital bed, he had developed a decidedly __________ appearance.

Possible Answers:

rosy

vigorous

gaunt

cherubic

youthful

Correct answer:

gaunt

Explanation:

Laying in a hospital bed for months will make someone much less healthy-looking. Look for the answer choice that indicates an unhealthiness or sickness. "Gaunt," meaning thin or even bony, is the only answer choice with such a meaning.

Example Question #1052 : One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

While he never actually did anything that was strictly criminal, the police believed the man they had in custody was __________ in a great deal of illegal activities.

Possible Answers:

recalcitrant

hopeless

unconvinced

resistant

compliant

Correct answer:

compliant

Explanation:

The arrested man was never directly involved, but had some connection to illegal activities. The correct answer choice will have a meaning of working with or being linked to such acts. "Compliant," meaning accomodating or involved in, is the only possible answer choice.

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