PSAT Critical Reading : Verbs in One-Blank Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #772 : Sentence Completion

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

During the Great Depression, President Roosevelt gave many explanatory speeches to the American public, hoping to __________ fears over the lengthening economic crisis.

Possible Answers:

allay 

exacerbate

propagate

undulate 

harmonize 

Correct answer:

allay 

Explanation:

This question requires a small amount of critical thinking on your part. You likely will conclude that the President would be seeking to remove or help ameliorate the fears of the American people during a depression. This would lead you to the correct answer “allay,” which means to calm or relieve. "Exacerbate" is opposite in meaning and means make something greater or worse; "harmonize" means complement; "propagate" means to spread; and "undulate" means to roll and ripple.

Example Question #261 : Verbs In One Blank Sentences

Throughout his school career, Joseph __________ all the traits of a good pupil: punctuality, tact, and work ethic.

Possible Answers:

epitomized

discussed

relayed

displayed

illustrated

Correct answer:

epitomized

Explanation:

The implication of these two sentences is that Joseph “gathers together” all the appropriate states of a good student. Something is called “the epitome” when it is the perfect example of a given class of things. When someone or something “shows forth” the perfect example, it is said to “epitomize” such perfection.

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