PSAT Critical Reading : One-Blank Sentences
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Critical Reading
All PSAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #253 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
In some stratified and hierarchical societies, each higher __________ has a certain set of prerogatives denied to those considered as being “beneath” their superiors.
functionary
aristocrat
nobleman
echelon
bureaucrat
echelon
The only thing implied by our sentence is that some higher “layers” of society have certain views of themselves. All of the wrong options imply too much specificity regarding such strata. The word “echelon” merely means a level in society or an organization. It comes—at several levels of remove—from the Latin word for “ladder” through later French versions of the same word. Each “echelon” is like a step on the ladder.
Example Question #254 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The members of the transit workers union came out in force, striking to support the __________ of the law that had been preventing the improvement of overtime wage rates.
tapering
arrogation
banishment
abrogation
beseeching
abrogation
While several of the answer choices may have to do with appeals or “doing away with,” the correct choice, "abrogation," is the BEST answer choice, referring to the repeal of a law or formal agreement. The other potential choices reference formal codes or laws, but aren’t directly related to the repeal or dissolution of laws or agreements.
Example Question #1753 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The old man had a sweet __________ with his grandchildren, but was ornery with the assistants in the nursing home.
habit
chimeric
nomenclature
deportment
ego
deportment
The sentence creates a contrast with the word “but,” so the correct answer choice will be an antonym “ornery.” Since the sentence already has the word “sweet” provided, the correct answer choice will be a reference to a character or personality. “Deportment” fills this meaning.
Example Question #1754 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The sailor was allowed a ten-day __________ in order to attend to the estate of his late father.
furlough
dismissal
recall
exodus
petard
furlough
The sentence is referencing an allowed break from service, so the appropriate answer choice is “furlough.”
Example Question #1755 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Richard’s status as a __________ was enhanced by his refusal to join the group’s effort.
maverick
devotee
sluggard
follower
participant
maverick
Richard’s refusal to join the others means he is set apart from the group, which is the opposite meaning of "participant," "follower," "devotee," and unrelated in meaning to the word "sluggard." "Maverick" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1756 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The chef had an _________ to Asian cuisine, and refused to consider any jobs at Japanese restaurants.
affinity
auspiciousness
adaptibility
epiphany
aversion
aversion
The sentence makes it clear that the chef does not like Japanese restaurants, therefore he clearly has a problem with Asian cuisine. Of the available answer choices, only aversion gives the correct meaning.
Example Question #261 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The professor used a series of __________ in his education class in order to illustrate some difficulties young teachers face with students.
vignettes
veneers
lexicons
superlatives
outputs
vignettes
"Vignettes" (short sketeches) is the only answer that provides an illustration (either via words or otherwise) from which students can learn. "Veneers" is entirely unrelated, as "verneers" means a surface coating or surface appearance that doesn't accurately characterize the whole; "superlatives" may be used in speech, but they do not alone illustrate potential difficulties; and "lexicons" are also related to words, but again, they do not illustrate difficulties.
Example Question #1758 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The cleric’s __________ was off-putting; everyone could see he was only pretending to believe.
hypocrisy
sincerity
genuineness
scrupulousness
naivete
hypocrisy
"Hypocrisy" means affectation or false pretense of behaving in a good way. Naturally, a religious man or woman's affected belief would be unsettling.
Example Question #1759 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Punk music fans seem to enjoy it when their musicians scream __________ at them; they relish being cursed.
sweetly
ingratiatingly
maledictions
dulcetly
blessings
maledictions
"Maledictions" are curses. A punk musician who screams maledictions at his fans is cursing them.
Example Question #1761 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The punk musician’s __________ ingratiated him to his fans; they loved his rudeness.
nonchalance
sincerity
insolence
empathy
consideration
insolence
"Insolence" means rudeness and arrogance, while "ingratiate" means make someone else see you positively. A performer whose fans love rudeness would bring himself into their good graces by being arrogant and rude.
All PSAT Critical Reading Resources
