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 #921 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The elderly woman’s __________ tone about modern dating habits made the young men hesitant to tell her about their personal lives.
inquisitive
laudatory
approving
curious
censorious
censorious
As the young men avoid her, the elderly woman obviously dislikes modern dating habits, which rules out “approving” and “laudatory” as possible correct answers. Similarly, the young men’s unwillingness to talk indicates she was not “inquisitive,” or "curious." “Censorious,” meaning stern and critical, is the only possible correct answer.
Example Question #922 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
With his long hair and casual dress, the interviewee looked __________ in the button-down office setting.
complete
incongruous
perfect
paradigmatic
edifying
incongruous
The interviewee’s long hair and casual dress stand opposite to the button down setting. Look for the answer that means “opposite” or “contrasting.” Only “incongruous” is a synonym of “opposite.”
Example Question #923 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
There was a(n) __________ uneasiness when the two rivals entered the room at the same time.
casual
palpable
circumstantial
comfortable
occasional
palpable
The fact that the two people in the sentence are rivals, and that uneasiness is always a bad thing, mean the correct answer must indicate something quite strong. The only such word is "palpable," as all the other words have a lightness to them which is inappropriate in the sentence.
Example Question #924 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The country club's members considered the club's ability to choose its own members an __________ right, and refused any attempts to have them change its bylaws.
inviolable
inconsistent
appropriate
unimportant
inconsequential
inviolable
The country club wanted nothing to happen to their bylaws, and wanted to defend them at all costs. "Inconsistent," "unimportant," "appropriate," and "inconsequential" all have too light a meaning.
Example Question #925 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Historians often struggle with how much __________ evidence to use, as fewer data points can be outweighed by the power of the story being told.
quantitative
anecdotal
byzantine
circumstantial
outdated
anecdotal
The key word for this sentence is in the last phrase, “story.” Of all the answer choices, only “anecdotal” means from a story.
Example Question #1221 : Sentence Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The fact he was __________ was a pleasant surprise to her when she asked him to assemble furniture.
bumbling
dexterous
clumsy
inept
oafish
dexterous
The task he needed to accomplish, assembling furniture, indicates he was skillful. “Clumsy,” “oafish,” "bumbling," and “inept” all mean, to some degree, the exact opposite. “Dexterous,” indicating skill with one’s hands, is correct.
Example Question #926 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Her speech was often loaded with __________ words such as "like" or "whatever," which were unnecessary for her point to be made.
precise
extraneous
automatic
mechanical
automatic
extraneous
The structure of the sentence indicates the correct answer is a synonym of “unnecessary.” “Precise” and “subtle” are antonyms, while “automatic” and "mechanical" is not a direct synonym.
Example Question #1221 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The preacher’s sermons were frequently nothing more than __________ babbling, leaving the parishioners confused.
exacting
clarifying
factual
engaging
incoherent
incoherent
The correct choice leads to confusion in the parishioners. “Exacting,” “clarifying,” and “factual” all indicate a lack of confusion, while "engaging" means interesting and exciting. Only “incoherent” means anything related to confusion.
Example Question #1222 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The old mansion was added to many times over the years with additions that created hallways and rooms in strange places, giving the place a __________ quality.
labyrinthine
edifying
harmonious
quaint
rustic
labyrinthine
The mansion's many additions and strange hallways make the mansion confusing and imposing. "Labyrinthine," which means maze-like, is the best fit of all the answer choices. All the other choices have connotations of simplicity or ease.
Example Question #1223 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The costume was fairly extravagant, __________ with sequins and feathers on the jacket.
subtle
understated
rustic
replete
moderated
replete
The costume is called "extravagant," which indicates that the jacket is over-the-top and has a good amount of sequins and feathers. "Understated," "subtle," and "moderated" all have a sense of showing restraint, while "rustic" means pleasantly old-fashioned and simple. Only "replete," meaning full and covered, provides the appropriate meaning to the sentence.
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