SAT Critical Reading : Parts of Speech in One-Blank Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #171 : One Blank Sentences

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.

Possible Answers:

deployment

reform

institutions

legislations

policies

Correct answer:

reform

Explanation:

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 #71 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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.

 

Possible Answers:

chicanery

panacea

skepticism

prudence

respite

Correct answer:

chicanery

Explanation:

"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 #201 : Sentence Completion Questions

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 __________.

 

Possible Answers:

foibles

genres

jargons

dictums

mendicants

Correct answer:

foibles

Explanation:

"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 #71 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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.

 

Possible Answers:

edicts

acumens

maxims

kudos

chagrins

Correct answer:

kudos

Explanation:

"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 #91 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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.

Possible Answers:

intuition

belligerence

apathy

eloquence

chagrin

Correct answer:

intuition

Explanation:

"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 #92 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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.

Possible Answers:

maxim

censure

eulogy

affirmation

hyperbole

Correct answer:

eulogy

Explanation:

"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 #206 : Sentence Completion Questions

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.

Possible Answers:

stimulus

opacity

etiquette

odyssey

avarice

Correct answer:

avarice

Explanation:

"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 #93 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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.

Possible Answers:

venality

tangent

aberration

invocation

onus

Correct answer:

aberration

Explanation:

"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 #71 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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.

Possible Answers:

tyro

mendicant

plethora

implication

iconoclast

Correct answer:

iconoclast

Explanation:

"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.

Example Question #181 : Sentence Completions

Because of her faith in her __________ to do well in graduate school, Julie had already began to make plans for after graduation. 

Possible Answers:

dissonance

incompetence

authority

competence

serenity

Correct answer:

competence

Explanation:

This question asks for a word that means that Julie had the ability to do well. The word closest in meaning to ability is competence. 

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