All PSAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #141 : Sentence Completions
Since Ken would eat nearly any type of food, his friends affectionately called him “the __________.”
obesity
gourmand
gourmet
omnivore
glutton
omnivore
The key expression is “eat nearly any type of food.” Note that this does not say that Ken eats large quantities of food. Therefore, any of the options that imply gluttony (and so forth) are not acceptable. The sentence is a bit playful, using a word as an affectionate title. Based on the context, we can tell that the title must mean something like “eats everything.” To this end, “omnivore” fits well. The word literally means “eating all things.” The “omni-” prefix (meaning “all”) is found in many word like “omniscience” and “omnipotent.” The “-vore” comes from the Latin for “to swallow,” though it is used in words like “voracious” (desiring much food) and the other “-vore” words like “herbivore” and “carnivore.”
Example Question #142 : Sentence Completions
Vegetarians are really not properly called __________, for they do eat things other than plant products, such as eggs, milk, and so forth.
herbivores
ruminants
hominids
mammals
carnivores
herbivores
The key thing to note in this sentence is that the vegetarians are described as eating more than plant products. The implication is that they cannot be called properly “animals eating only plant products.” Such animals are “herbivores,” a word constructed from the parts “herb-”, meaning “grass,” and “-vore,” literally meaning “to swallow.” The prefix is found in words like “herbicide” (something that kills grasses) and “herbal.” The latter is found in words like “voracious” (desiring much food) and the other “-vore” words like “omnivore” and “carnivore.”
Example Question #47 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
The crown matched the similarly spectacular __________ worn by the king.
jewels
epaulets
vermillion
raiment
mantle
raiment
Since the sentence is very vague regarding exactly what the crown matched on the King, the word to be chosen must likewise be vague. Although it is a bit old-fashioned, the word “raiment” means “clothing.” It is often used literarily, so the application to a king is perhaps somewhat understandable.
Example Question #48 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Although the famous philosopher did not charge a fee for giving lectures, most schools paid him a small __________ for his efforts.
tariff
fortune
honorarium
bursary
amount
honorarium
When someone does not charge an official fee, such a person might be given a small gift in return for his or her services. Such a gift is called an “honorarium”—an honorary payment that is not considered as an official reimbursement as much as a gift.
Example Question #49 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
While it is true that the modern car engine is overwhelming in its overall complexity, it is likewise true that almost every one of its __________ is likewise intricate.
pistons
machinations
cylinders
components
conjunctions
components
The general sense of the sentence is that each of the parts of the complex engine is just as intricate as the overall engine. The word “component” means “a part,” particularly “a part of a machine.” The word comes from the Latin meaning “put together.” The “together” is derived from the “com-” prefix which you likely know means “with.” The second half of the word is derived from the Latin for “to put or place” and is related to many other English words such as “position,” “postpone,” and “proponent.”
Example Question #143 : Sentence Completions
Since the law had been passed by such a slim majority, the legislature decided to delay its official __________ until it had been adequately explained to the populace.
unveiling
exposure
publication
promulgation
commentary
promulgation
The implication of the sentence is that while the law had been passed, it was not put into official force because it needed explanation to the people. Although several options might seem appropriate, the best word is “promulgation.” In a broad sense, the word means “the act of making something known to many.” It has the further restricted sense of making a law known to many. This fits well with this sentence’s needs.
Example Question #144 : Sentence Completions
The priestess sat alone in the shrine, surrounded by the wafting, smoky vapors that arose from the thuribles containing __________.
combustibles
incense
coals
flammifers
perfumes
incense
For this sentence, there are two possible ways of finding the answer. If you know the word “thurible,” you will know that such devices are used for the burning of incense. This immediately provides the answer; however, if you do not know that vocabulary item, it is likely that you know that the burning of incense gives off “vapors” in a smoky form.
Example Question #145 : Sentence Completions
The large dragon did not notice that its pile of coins was undergoing __________ right from under it as the pile dwindled from the steady taking of gold by the town thieves.
burglary
diminution
looting
larceny
destruction
diminution
The key word is “dwindled,” which describes the pile as shrinking. When something shrinks in size, it is said to “diminish” or to undergo “diminution.” These words are likewise related to English words having the prefix “mini” such as “miniature,” “minute,” and “minimal.”
Example Question #146 : Sentence Completions
Because of his impeccable enunciation and vocal tone, Thomas was often asked to be the __________ at the town’s yearly reading of the classic Christmas tale.
crier
mascot
Santa
lector
announcer
lector
Do not be fooled by the “Santa” or “mascot” options, which really have little to do with the description of Thomas’ enunciation and vocal tone. The most tempting trap answer is likely “announcer,” but one does not usually read a tale in the manner of being an announcer. (That type of proclamation more appropriately describes either an introduction to some other thing or the type of speaking done by one conveying some information at an event like a sports match.) The word “lector” literally means “reader.” While it is often used to describe one who reads scriptures in a church service, it does have the more general meaning of “reading.” It is derived from the Latin for “to read” and is related to English words like “legible,” “lectern,” and “lecture.”
Example Question #147 : Sentence Completions
The children stayed awake in _________, awaiting the late night return of their parents from their trip to the mountains.
exhaustion
pajamas
fright
vigil
agitation
vigil
The sentence only implies that the children are staying awake instead of sleeping late at night. When someone keeps awake in this manner, it is called a “vigil.” The term often has religious overtones, for Christian monks would “keep vigil” by praying late at night (or very early in the morning, depending on one’s perspective); however, it has the general sense of being “awake.” When someone is “vigilant,” he or she keeps watch for dangers in a “wakeful” manner.
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