PSAT Critical Reading : Sentence Completions
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Example Questions
Example Question #171 : Sentence Completions
Pick the word that best completes the sentence
The doctor was stumped: he had no idea what the __________ was for this particular snake bite.
ceratoid
analgesia
antibiotic
antidote
myalgia
antidote
An antidote is a subtance which reverses the effect of poisoning—while "antibiotic" is close, in this context, a snake bite releases poison, not bacteria, so the best word is "antidote."
Example Question #172 : Sentence Completions
Pick the best word to complete the sentence.
Political scientists will debate for years to come about whether Barack Obama's healthcare __________ was the best solution.
institutions
deployment
policies
reform
legislations
reform
Based on the verb in the sentence, this word needs to be singular—so although policy and legislation might make sense based solely on meaning, reform is the best answer.
Example Question #173 : Sentence Completions
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
Simon had to resort to trickery and __________ to convince his mother to let him go out on Friday night.
chicanery
skepticism
respite
panacea
prudence
chicanery
"Chicanery" means deception or trickery. "Skepticism" means doubt or disbelief. "Respite" means a pause or suspension of activity. "Prudence" means caution or carefullness. "Panacea" means a cure-all or remedy.
Example Question #174 : Sentence Completions
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
Nobody is perfect; we all have our own __________.
jargons
dictums
mendicants
genres
foibles
foibles
"Foible" means a personal imperfection or shortcoming. "Mendicant" means a beggar or vagabond. "Jargon" is a dialect or invented language. "Genre" means a type or category. "Dictum" means a saying or a proverb.
Example Question #175 : Sentence Completions
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
__________ to you Bill! You really did well on the vocabulary portion of the exam.
chagrins
maxims
edicts
acumens
kudos
kudos
"Kudos" means congratulations or praise. "Chagrin" means displeasure or annoyance. "Edict" means a pronouncement or order. "Acumen" means ability to understand or reason, acuity, or ingenuity. "Maxim" means a saying or a proverb.
Example Question #176 : Sentence Completions
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
Using her mother's __________, Sandra knew her teenage son wasn't being completely honest with her.
chagrin
apathy
belligerence
intuition
eloquence
intuition
"Intuition" means insight or instinct. "Chagrin" means displeasure or annoyance. "Eloquence" means skillful way with words or speech. "Belligerence" means aggresiveness or hostility. "Apathy" means an uncaring attitude or lack of caring.
Example Question #177 : Sentence Completions
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
Robert delivered a warm and heartfelt __________ during Saturday afternoon's funeral.
eulogy
censure
hyperbole
maxim
affirmation
eulogy
"Eulogy" means tribute or praise. "Censure" means condemnation or denunciation. "Affirmation" means a claim or assurance. "Hyperbole" means exaggeration or embellishment. "Maxim" means a saying or proverb.
Example Question #178 : Sentence Completions
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
The ancient Roman senators lived lives of extreme __________, hoarding massive piles of gold and treasure.
stimulus
odyssey
avarice
opacity
etiquette
avarice
"Avarice" means greed or selfishness. "Odyssey" means an epic journey full of adventure. "Opacity" means darkness or ambiguity. "Etiquette" means manners or proper behavior. "Stimulus" means provocation or incitement.
Example Question #179 : Sentence Completions
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
The junior researcher assured the scientist that the results were just a(n) __________ and would probably not occur again.
onus
aberration
tangent
venality
invocation
aberration
"Aberration" means an oddity or abnormality. "Tangent" means a digression or an aside. "Venality" means something easily bribed or manipulated. "Onus" means a responsibility or duty. "Invocation" means conjuration or enchantment.
Example Question #180 : Sentence Completions
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
With his heliocentric model of the solar system, Copernicus entered the history books as a true __________ of the 1500s.
iconoclast
plethora
mendicant
implication
tyro
iconoclast
"Iconoclast" means someone who questions the traditional or conservative way of doing things. "Mendicant" means a beggar or vagrant. "Plethora" means an excess or overabundance. "Implication" means an association or suggestion. "Tyro" means a beginner or novice.
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