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 #384 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

He was suspicious of his sons' claims and desired something __________ to prove the car really had begun falling apart on its own.

Possible Answers:

tangible

transient

ephemeral

subtle

contestable

Correct answer:

tangible

Explanation:

The father does not believe his sons' story about the car, presumably because he desired something less anecdotal. "Transient" and "ephemeral" both have a sense of passing quickly, while "subtle" and "contestable" mean something is less than solid evidence. Only "tangible," meaning able to be held and touched, provides the correct meaning to the sentence.

Example Question #1222 : One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Having been raised in the suburbs, Benjamin had no experience of the __________ poverty that so many suffer.

Possible Answers:

enviable

rapacious

avid

abject

covetous

Correct answer:

abject

Explanation:

"Abject" means wretched and pitiful. The poverty from which people suffer is wretched.

Example Question #1223 : One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The clinic kept an __________ environment, even though maintaining the cleanliness was actually rather expensive.

Possible Answers:

derivative

obscene

inhospitable

antiseptic

filthy

Correct answer:

antiseptic

Explanation:

"Antiseptic" means clean and sterile. The clinic maintained cleanliness even though it cost more.

Example Question #431 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The new policeman became ill at the sight of the __________ blood; the victim’s thickened blood put him off pudding for a very long time.

Possible Answers:

mendacious

coagulated

flowing

streaming

prevaricating

Correct answer:

coagulated

Explanation:

"Coagulated" means thickened or clotted. The victim's thickened blood, resembling pudding, was very off-putting for the new policeman.

Example Question #432 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

I adore humid climates, but I abhor __________ ones.

Possible Answers:

mendacious

tenuous

arid

discredited

enhanced

Correct answer:

arid

Explanation:

"Arid" means very dry.

Example Question #433 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Before you drink the water from that dirty river, you need to filter it and treat it with certain chemicals; only then will it be __________.

Possible Answers:

enervated

chary

jaded

unaccustomed

potable

Correct answer:

potable

Explanation:

"Potable" means suitable for drinking.

Example Question #434 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

“Don’t you think that assigning five hours of homework a night is a bit too __________?” the concerned parent asked the teacher.

Possible Answers:

surreptitious

explicit

somatic

onerous

gregarious

Correct answer:

onerous

Explanation:

"Onerous" means burdensome.

Example Question #435 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

“It wasn’t very nice or __________ to tell that other little girl that you thought she was boring,” Ann said to her daughter.

Possible Answers:

jejune

resilient 

tactful

ubiquitious

derisive

Correct answer:

tactful

Explanation:

"Tactful" means skillful at not offending others.

Example Question #931 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Ever since Jean Paul and I broke up, everyone tells me the same __________ phrase: there are always more fish in the sea.

Possible Answers:

scrutinizing

abbreviated

opulent

aesthetic

hackneyed

Correct answer:

hackneyed

Explanation:

"Hackneyed" means clichéd, or worn out by overuse.

Example Question #1043 : One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Marisol had only a(n) __________ understanding of how to fix and maintain her car, and so she took an automobile repair class.

Possible Answers:

prosaic

amicable

superficial

intrepid

mundane

Correct answer:

superficial

Explanation:

"Superficial" means shallow, or lacking depth.

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