SAT Critical Reading : Adjectives and Adverbs in One-Blank Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #1131 : Sentence Completion Questions

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

The young boy’s __________ complexion alarmed his teacher, and she sent him to the school nurse to make sure he wasn’t coming down with the flu.

Possible Answers:

pallid

terse

tenuous

torrid

glowing

Correct answer:

pallid

Explanation:

A white or light color in one’s cheeks is a symptom of sickness or ill-health, and “pallid” most closely means a paleness, typically attributed to poor health or sickness. The correct answer choice is "pallid."

Example Question #1154 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The author’s __________ output tended to overshadow the poor quality of the majority of his work.

Possible Answers:

limited

infinitesimal

unimpressive

meager

prodigious

Correct answer:

prodigious

Explanation:

Here the word “poor” indicates that the author is not very good; therefore, he must have written a good amount of material if it overshadows the quality of the material. Only "prodigious" means in a great amount.

Example Question #451 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

Allison’s speech was extremely ­­__________; her friends often remarked that she loved showing off.

Possible Answers:

reserved

lethargic

energetic 

detrimental 

bombastic

Correct answer:

bombastic

Explanation:

The second clause in the sentence describes how Allison’s speech caused others to believe she was trying to show off. The correct answer is therefore “bombastic” which means to use language in a pompous manner to try and impress others. Lethargic means the opposite of energetic; reserved means aloof; detrimental means harmful or damaging.

Example Question #452 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

That novel is filled with ­__________ language that reflects the contemporary speech of African Americans at the time the book was written.

Possible Answers:

colloquial

mundane 

gregarious 

rudimentary

evolved 

Correct answer:

colloquial

Explanation:

The sentence describes how the novel being described is filled with a type of language that reflects the speaking patterns of a certain group of people. This means that the answer must be “colloquial.” Colloquial is an adjective that describes conversational or everyday speech in a defined (usually geographically distinct) group. Mundane means boring; rudimentary is opposite in meaning to evolved; gregarious means outgoing.

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