All SAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #331 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The prize’s __________ stepped up to the platform to accept the trophy from the presiding official.
recipient
honorarium
heir
beneficiary
announcer
recipient
Do not overanalyze this sentence but instead pay heed to the most obvious meaning. The implication of the sentence is that the person in question is receiving the price. Therefore, choose the word that simply reflects that act of reception, namely “recipient.” Note that the word is directly related to “receive,” although the “-ceiv-” becomes “-cip-”. The other tempting words “beneficiary” and “heir” imply either advantage or inheritance—more than is needed here. The word “honorarium” is actually a pay given to someone for services that would normally be free.
Example Question #332 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
Before requesting funding for the project, the investors asked that the scientists construct a __________ to show that it was at least likely that a fully designed version was feasible.
prototype
presentation
display
miniature
demonstration
prototype
The key phrase here is “fully designed version.” The sentence implies that the investors wanted to see that an initial (non-full) design would be operational, hopefully indicating that the full version would likewise feasibly operate. Such an “initial” version is a “prototype,” a word literally meaning “a first version.” The prefix “proto-” is found in words like “protocol,” “proton,” and “protoplasm.”
Example Question #333 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
The scientist was surprised to find dramatic __________ in the data resulting from her experiment, which she had expected to be relatively uniform.
intonations
comparisons
fluctuations
consistency
heraldry
fluctuations
We can infer that because the scientist expected her experiment to yield "relatively uniform" results, that she would be "surprised" if her data was not uniform. So, we need to pick out a noun for the blank that has the connotation of not being uniform. "Constants" cannot be the correct answer then, because a "constant" by definition is "something that stays the same : something that does not change," or "a quantity or number whose value does not change," and we need to pick out a noun referring to something that does involve change(s). "Fluctuations" is the correct answer because a "fluctuation" is "an irregular rising and falling in number or amount; a variation," making it the answer choice which best fits the context of the sentence.
Example Question #321 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The Mongol Empire was the largest collection of territory that the world has ever seen; yet the __________ of Mongolian hegemony means it is scarcely remembered today.
predictability
brevity
enforcement
transmission
petulance
brevity
The construction of this sentence implies that the Mongolian Empire is scarcely remembered because of some quality attributable to it. Predictability means happening in an expected way; petulance means ill-temper or sulkiness; transmission means the act of broadcasting something; enforcement means to compel obedience. Of these four possible answer choices predictability is the only word that could possibly fit, brevity is however a much neater fit. Brevity refers to how brief an event is. The briefness of Mongolian hegemony (hegemony means regional dominance) is a logical reason why it would be scarcely remembered today.
Example Question #321 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ of Emperor Frederick I of Germany was well known throughout Europe; he was a ruler that could be counted on to make practical decisions.
indulgence
smugness
pragmatism
impression
cooperation
pragmatism
From the context of this sentence, you know that whatever aspect of Emperor Frederick I is being described must refer to his ability "to make practical decisions." Of the five answer choices, "pragmatism" is the best option, since it means a practical way of thinking concerned with how to get the best results. As for the other answer choices, "indulgence" means something that gratifies one's desires; "smugness" describes excessive self-satisfaction or arrogance; and "cooperation" refers to the practice of working with someone towards a goal that is mutually beneficial.
Example Question #323 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
Around the holidays, when everyone is celebrating and full of cheer, the air is filled with a feeling of __________.
revolt
frivolity
fantasy
sensibility
guile
frivolity
Frivolity is the noun version of frivolous, a word you are more likely to have come across. It means self-indulgence or a carefree feeling. This answer makes sense because everyone is celebrating and cheerful. Revolt and guile have darker implications, sensibility is the opposite, and while fantasy could fit, frivolity more specifically matches the first part of the sentence.
Example Question #322 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
Derrick might not have tried intentionally to deceive others; nevertheless, most people believe him to be a man of profound ___________ and duplicity.
injustice
ignorance
arrogance
guile
haughtiness
guile
The key words here to note are “deceive” and “duplicity.” The implication of the sentence is that although Derrick might not try to be deceptive, he nevertheless is believed to be such. This is implied by the fact that he is considered “duplicitous” which directly means having two sides (or being a “double dealer”), though often meaning “deceitful” (implied in the act of having “two faces”). The best option is “guile,” which means cunning intelligence. Although this is not a direct synonym of “deceitful,” combined with “duplicity,” it functions to capture the sense of someone who is able to work through intelligence to be deceitful.