All SAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #111 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
When the class began to mock and laugh at Francis, he recoiled in horror, for he could not bear the embarrassment of such __________.
attention
declamation
joking
ridicule
atrocities
ridicule
The key expression here is “mock and laugh.” Since it is implied that Francis cannot bear such things, the best to say that he could not bear “ridicule.” The word means “to mock, deride, and / or laugh at.” It comes from the Latin for “to laugh” and is found in English words like “ridiculous,” “risible,” and “derision.” In particular, “deride” carries the added sense of mockery, not merely laugher.
Example Question #112 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Much of the audience was pleased with Jennifer's __________, saying that it was a great introduction to the forum.
malediction
fugitive
preamble
pariah
dissonance
preamble
The second half of the sentence tells us that Jennifer gave some kind of introduction. "Preamble" is the answer choice that means an introductory statement.
Example Question #113 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although Ryan regularly killed the plants in his garden, he did so naturally, not needing to use a chemical __________.
herbicide
liquid
ingredient
compound
fluid
herbicide
Since we are told nothing at all about the nature of the chemical that Ryan did not need, the most general option will be the best. Even the word “compound” is too general, for one could perhaps kill plants with elements (i.e. non-compounds); therefore, the best option is “herbicide,” which merely means “a substance that kills plants.” This word is part of a larger “-cide” class of words that mean “to kill.” Think of “suicide,” which means “to kill oneself” (sui) and “fratricide” which means “to kill one’s brother” (frater / fratr-).
Example Question #1152 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After their total defeat, the remaining warriors, only a small __________ of the many thousands who fought, retreated to their ships.
rabble
remnant
legion
phalanx
capillary
remnant
Since the warriors were defeated, we should expect only a portion or a remainder of the many thousands retreated to the ships. The word we want should indicate smallness, because not many of the warriors survived. "Phalanx" means a specific type of military formation—this would say something about how the soldiers retreated, not about how many were left. "Rabble" is close, but it means a disorderly mob. "Legion" is the opposite of what we want; it means a very large number. "Capillary" refers to a vein or blood vessel in the body. The best choice is "remnant," which means a fragment or a small remainder.
Example Question #1153 : Psat Critical Reading
Given that John’s personal life did not match the moral injunctions about which he wrote vehemently, many of John’s friends expected him some day to condemn his own behavior as sheer __________.
irregularity
insensitivity
perplexity
oversight
hypocrisy
hypocrisy
The key thing to note in the initial subordinate clause is that John’s life is “out of harmony” with the moral code that he proclaimed (and indeed enjoined to others) in his writing. When someone’s actions oppose the standards in which they claim to believe, such a person is called a “hypocrite.” John’s friends well expected him to condemn is own “hypocritical” behavior. They must have believed that, given his high moral standards, he would eventually be forced to admit to the immorality of his hypocrisy.
Example Question #1151 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The Prime Minister had no time for __________; he wanted his advisors to be honest and uncompromising.
theologians
vagabonds
merriment
sycophants
rancor
sycophants
From the context of the question you can infer that the Prime Minister had no time for advisors who were not honest and uncompromising. Of the five possible answer choices only sycophants refers to someone who is dishonest. A sycophant is literally a person who flatters someone powerful for personal gain. Vagabonds are homeless people; merriment refers to great happiness; rancor is resentment; theologians are people who consider the nature of God and religion.
Example Question #1154 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Generally speaking, Peter’s sister’s nagging was really nothing more than an __________, though at times it could nearly enrage him.
immaturity
inconvenience
irritant
exasperation
aggravation
irritant
The sentence implies a contrast between the answer and the word “enrage.” It is not a complete contrast but a case of intensification, for the answer is said to be “nothing more” than something (i.e. something relatively small in comparison with being enraged). While a number of the options pertain to anger, the word “irritant” best captures the sense of “making someone slightly angry.” The word generally is applied to something causing a bodily sore but it also can be applied to people in the sense of being annoying.
Example Question #304 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Since people were always searching through the town’s garbage, its citizens found it necessary to exercise constant __________ in taking all precautions against leaving personal data in the trash.
tedium
spying
vigilance
reflection
fussiness
vigilance
Since citizens had to take “all precautions,” they had to exercise great care and indeed awareness of any potential personal data that might be placed into the trash. When one exercises awareness, he or she is said to be “vigilant.” The word is related to “vigil,” which is the act of staying awake in order to wait for someone or something. Someone who exercises “vigilance” does not “fall asleep at the wheel”—metaphorically speaking—and does not overlook dangers.
Example Question #305 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
When leading a group, it is necessary to show no __________, for favoring any party or individual can lead to much damage to group morale.
inadequacy
arrogance
oversight
partiality
omission
partiality
The key expression in this sentence is “for favoring any party . . .” The answer must be a word that describes the act of such favoring (which the leader must not show or do). When someone shows partiality or is partial to something, he or she shows a bias in favor of that thing, often for reasons that are not adequate. It often can merely mean “favoritism.” You can think of it as one “taking the part (or side)” of some favored person.
Example Question #221 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although the organ was totally destroyed by the arsonist, the court required that he pay an amount equal to its value in __________ for the damage done.
criminality
restitution
guilt
contrition
response
restitution
The key thing to note is that the arsonist must totally repay the value of the organ. When someone restores stolen or damaged property, such a payment is called “restitution.” The “-stit-” portion of the word comes from the Latin for “to stand,” though it takes on the meaning of “returning to a state in which something stood before.” (As you can see, the sense is metaphoric.) This base word is found in many English words like “institute,” “substitute,” and “statue.” Note that “restitution” can also be repaid for general losses and injuries, not merely property damage.