All SAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1631 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although the organ was totally destroyed by the arsonist, the court required that he pay an amount equal to its value in __________ for the damage done.
contrition
criminality
restitution
guilt
response
restitution
The key thing to note is that the arsonist must totally repay the value of the organ. When someone restores stolen or damaged property, such a payment is called “restitution.” The “-stit-” portion of the word comes from the Latin for “to stand,” though it takes on the meaning of “returning to a state in which something stood before.” (As you can see, the sense is metaphoric.) This base word is found in many English words like “institute,” “substitute,” and “statue.” Note that “restitution” can also be repaid for general losses and injuries, not merely property damage.
Example Question #221 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Reflecting back on his many successes and popularity, the politician found his current exile from public affairs to be the __________ of his entire career.
nadir
unraveling
antithesis
ruination
apogee
nadir
Since the politician’s fortunes had changed so greatly, it is fair to say that he has gone from being “on the top of the world” to being on the “lowest rung.” When one is at his or her “nadir,” he or she is at the lowest point of his or her fortunes or accomplishments. Do not be tempted to think that the best option would be “ruination” or “unraveling,” for while these may indeed be true, the focus of the sentence is clearly on the fact that this is a low point in comparison with the rest of his career.
Example Question #222 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Given the thousands of miles that separated the kingdom from its colonies, the ruler found it necessary to appoint a __________ to live and rule them as the royal representative.
ambassador
substitute
replacement
regent
viceroy
viceroy
The key thing to note here is that the appointee is being assigned to a colonial office and that said person will be acting as a representative, not as a replacement. Such a person is called a “viceroy.” The prefix “vice” means “in the place of,” as one sees in the case of “vice president.” The ending “roy” is related to the French for king, “roi,” which ultimately is related to other words from the common Latin base meaning king or ruler, as founding words like “regal,” “reign,” and “interregnum.”
Example Question #121 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Before you present your __________, you should have some initial evidence in support of your potential research project.
notions
recollections
thesis
opinions
summary
thesis
The pivotal clues for this sentence are “initial evidence” and “potential research project.” This implies that the person has not yet started the project. While perhaps he or she could be presenting "opinions," the general implication is that he or she is undertaking some new research. When we start projects of this sort, we often lay out a thesis or hypothesis, upon which we will further elaborate with the passage of time.
Example Question #253 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Some medieval philosophers did not realize that a solid wall is the __________ for transporting the movement of sound from one area to another.
medium
obscurity
impediment
limitation
extreme
medium
The wall stands between two areas, functioning as the means by which sound passes between rooms. Though some medieval men had intriguing reasons for misunderstanding this phenomenon, we know better now. The word “medium” means middle or between. It can be used as a noun meaning the substance traversed by something like light, electricity, or (indeed) sound.
Example Question #311 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The butler served the family with unwavering __________, often overlooking his own desires for the requests of his employers.
warmth
kindness
affection
dedication
uprightness
dedication
The key thing to note is that the butler serves in such a way as to often overlook his own desires. This does not necessarily imply love or even uprightness, but it does imply that he is unwavering in his service. Such a spirit is one of “dedication.” The word comes from the Latin base for the word for “consecrating” and is also somewhat related to words like “dictation,” “diction,” and so forth.
Example Question #132 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although Mark had been a faithful citizen for many years, after he realized the corruption in the governmental system, he deserted his former civic duty, becoming a __________ and challenging much of the system he had once so ardently defended.
lout
barbarian
renegade
troublemaker
misfit
renegade
The key thing to note here is that Mark is a “deserter” from having been a faithful citizen. Although perhaps he is a troublemaker and even a misfit, the word “renegade” best expresses the idea of deserting that to which one once was devoted. In this word the “re-” prefix does not mean “again” but instead merely strengthens the main portion of the word—the “-negade” portion of the word. This portion comes from the same roots as “negative” and “deny.” Here, the sense is to deny forcefully one’s former attachment.
Example Question #312 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although most democratic, modern persons believe that kings are necessarily __________, is it necessarily the case that they would act in such an undemocratic manner?
horrific
abominable
corrupt
unscrupulous
potentates
potentates
This problem is an example of one for which you have to find the “least bad” answer. The descriptor that we are looking for regarding kings is one that is opposed to being democratic. (This is indicated by the expression “that they would act in such an undemocratic manner”). Many of the negative terms could apply, but they go further than this implication. The word “potentate” can mean merely a monarchical ruler, but its broader implication is that such a ruler acts solely by his or her own power, without any consultation of others. The word itself is derived from Latin roots for “power,” found in many English words like “potential,” “possible,” “omnipotent,” and “impotent.”
Example Question #223 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After the long prayer, the minister closed with a high-toned __________, giving praise and thanksgiving to God for what he took to be all the blessings of the congregation.
oration
sermon
doxology
bombast
lecture
doxology
Although the minister might be giving a sermon or even an oration to the congregation, the sentence most directly indicates that whatever he is doing involves “giving prase and thanksgiving.” A “doxology” is a formulaic prayer giving thanksgiving to God. It comes from the combination of the Greek words for praise (“doxos”) and word (“logos”). The latter is used in many English words pertaining to subjects of study (such as “biology,” “logic,” etc.).
Example Question #224 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Among the members of the professional society, Lawrence was something of a ___________, often deviating from the norms and standard methods of the group.
dunce
discontent
vexation
maverick
buffoon
maverick
When one departs from accepted norms, he or she might be called many things, but it is most appropriate here to call such a person a “maverick.” The term comes from the surname of Samuel A. Maverick, who did not bother to brand his cattle. Such unmarked steers thus became known as “mavericks” since they didn’t fit into the standard system of animal control.