SAT Critical Reading : SAT Critical Reading

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #2391 : Sat Critical Reading

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

He considered himself quite the ladies' man, but most of the women he met found his personality __________.

Possible Answers:

adroit

agreeable

noxious

pleasant

sensuous

Correct answer:

noxious

Explanation:

The structure of the sentence is a good clue that most women's perception of the man are at odds with his own sense of himself as a ladies' man. The correct answer choice is one that indicates some level of offensiveness in his personality. "Noxious," meaning offensive or even poisonous, is the only choice that has any sense of negativity.

Example Question #1004 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The students looked at one another in a state of confusion, as the teacher's homework instructions were rather vague and __________.

Possible Answers:

relinquished

obtuse

obscure

ornary

acquiescent 

Correct answer:

obscure

Explanation:

Obscure is the only word that is a synonym of "vague." 

Example Question #1005 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

As the director lowered his arms, all one hundred of the Christmas carolers __________ began to sing a lively version of a popular carol in unison.

Possible Answers:

frigidly

callously

simultaneously

intermittenly 

tumultuously

Correct answer:

simultaneously

Explanation:

Only simultaneously means "in unison" or occurring at the same time.

Example Question #1006 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The burglar must not have been too __________ leaving the scene of the crime; three different neighbors saw him exit the corner house with stolen goods in his arms.

Possible Answers:

overt

audacious

surreptitious

irreverent

cogent

Correct answer:

surreptitious

Explanation:

"Surreptitious" means secretive. Since the burglar was seen by various people, he could not have been too surreptitious. 

Example Question #1007 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Jaded and __________, the aspiring young journalist decided to abandon his dream career due to the scarcity of writing jobs.

Possible Answers:

corpulent

despondent

agile

relentless

inarticulate

Correct answer:

despondent

Explanation:

"Despondent" means lacking hope. Since the journalist opted to abandon his dream job, he must have been despondent.

Example Question #1011 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Annette was enthused about pawning what she thought was a solid gold ring, but after some examination, her sister informed her that it was merely a __________ piece of jewelry.

Possible Answers:

admonished

harangue

ubiquitous

mysterious

gilded

Correct answer:

gilded

Explanation:

A gilded piece of jewelry is superficially covered with gold but not gold throughout. 

Example Question #334 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

The recent discovery of oil on the property has led analysts to believe that the construction of refineries in the area will soon prove to be a very __________ investment.

Possible Answers:

lukewarm

vapid

demented

lucrative

deleterious

Correct answer:

lucrative

Explanation:

Only "lucrative" means prosperous or financially promising.

Example Question #335 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

Termites are known to invade and destroy homes in such a(n) __________ nature that one does not notice their presence until it is too late.

Possible Answers:

industrious

invincible

benign

incomprehensible

insidious

Correct answer:

insidious

Explanation:

"Insidious" means dangerous in a subtle way. Since the termites cause great damage to homes without the homeowners noticing, they can be described as "insidious."

Example Question #1012 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The __________ fishermen pressed on for port despite the treacherous conditions of the sea that night.

Possible Answers:

innocuous

intrepid

itinerant

insouciant

irksome

Correct answer:

intrepid

Explanation:

These fisherman were pressing on despite difficult circumstances. This description matches well with the meaning of "intrepid," an adjective that means fearless or bold.

Example Question #1013 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The doctor reassured the worried mother that the vaccine he was giving her child was completely __________ and that her baby was not in any danger.

Possible Answers:

inscrutable

insouciant

innocuous

insipid

intrepid

Correct answer:

innocuous

Explanation:

"Innocuous" means harmless, and if the doctor told the mother that her the baby wouldn't be in any danger, the meaning of "innocuous" fits the context of the sentence.

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