SAT Critical Reading : Parts of Speech in One-Blank Sentences
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading
All SAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #901 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The director's __________ demeanor tended to terrify new employees, but after spending a few months in the company, they usually realized he was harmless.
abrasive
hurried
consoling
demonstrative
gargantuan
abrasive
The word "demonstrative" may be tempting, because it sounds like "monster." but that actually means tending to show emotion. Abrasive means harsh and rough in manner.
Example Question #1193 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
James took the position simply because it was the only one he could find, but the more time he spent as an intern, the more __________ he found the possibility of working there.
deplorable
decisive
alluring
insinuating
terrifying
alluring
The use of the word "but," after saying that he took the internship simply because it was all James could get, demonstrates that there was a change in his ambiguous feelings. The indication is, therefore, that he will feel positive about working there. "Alluring" means to powerfully attract or charm, which fits the context.
Example Question #902 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Despite having lived in a deplorably dirty dorm room during his college years, when he got his own apartment, Greg was actually quite __________.
disheveled
hygienic
bedraggled
unkempt
disillusioned
hygienic
"Hygienic" is a synonym of clean. That he was "actually quite __________," despite being dirty in college tells the reader that the word should be the opposite of dirty.
Example Question #903 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Alex always comes across as __________, because his attire is perpetually immaculate and people are commonly put off by his inattention to them.
salacious
narcissistic
deplorable
inept
compassionate
narcissistic
The sentence hints at someone who is both well-dressed and inattentive to others. This could possibly be an arrogant or self-absorbed person, and "narcissistic" means basically that.
Example Question #1034 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Austin was completely __________ from the hike up the mountain, so he fell asleep on the couch as soon as he got home.
enervated
enthused
palpable
truculent
sardonic
enervated
"Enervated" means tired or exhausted, and given the fact that he was soon napping, it is safe to assume that this is how he was feeling.
Example Question #1035 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
I was grateful for Marie’s __________ personality when she and I were able to repair our broken friendship.
priggish
bashful
timorous
conciliatory
deterrent
conciliatory
In order for Marie to be willing to amend the friendship, her personality must be one that tends towards peace and compromise. The only word that means this out of the answers is "conciliatory."
Example Question #1036 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The formation of a strong hypothesis to base your experiment on is the __________ part of any scientific research.
paramount
admissible
scant
steadfast
prolific
paramount
Something you base your entire research on must be the most important part of it, and we should look for a word that conveys the importance of a hypothesis. "Paramount" fits here.
Example Question #1001 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The amateur poet never understood why his work was dismissed as __________ when he believed it had profound depth.
antediluvian
insightful
sublime
mawkish
calibrated
mawkish
"Mawkish" means to be sickly sentimental. A poem without depth might very probably be dismissed as sickly sentimental or mawkish.
Example Question #1002 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The woman’s __________ salary made it all but impossible to feed and clothe her family.
meager
abundant
behemoth
rife
empirical
meager
"Meager" means to be deficient in size or quantity. A salary deficient in quantity would understandably make it difficult to provide for a family.
Example Question #1003 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The best man cringed at Tony’s __________ behavior as he tried to organize the bachelor party all by himself; the best man knew that the responsibilty belonged to him.
virtuous
officious
clement
magnanimous
deferring
officious
"Officious" means to offer one's services when they are neither wanted nor needed. Customarily, the best man arranges the bachelor party. Tony's meddling was cringeworthy, as it was unwelcome.
All SAT Critical Reading Resources
