SAT Critical Reading : SAT Critical Reading

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #353 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

While all of his friends wanted him to choose sides in the fight, the young man remained __________.

Possible Answers:

fastidious

angry

indifferent

excited

animated

Correct answer:

indifferent

Explanation:

The structure of the sentence indicates that the young man explicitly did not choose sides in the fight, so the correct answer choice needs to mean “uncommitted” or “not caring.” “Indifferent” is the only answer choice meaning just that, while all the other choices indicate choosing a side.

Example Question #354 : Adjectives And Adverbs 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.

Possible Answers:

consoling

abrasive

gargantuan

demonstrative

hurried

Correct answer:

abrasive

Explanation:

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 #993 : 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.

Possible Answers:

deplorable

insinuating

decisive

alluring

terrifying

Correct answer:

alluring

Explanation:

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 #994 : 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 __________.

Possible Answers:

hygienic

unkempt

disillusioned

bedraggled

disheveled

Correct answer:

hygienic

Explanation:

"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 #363 : Adjectives And Adverbs 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.

Possible Answers:

narcissistic

salacious

inept

deplorable

compassionate

Correct answer:

narcissistic

Explanation:

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 #995 : One Blank Sentences

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.

Possible Answers:

truculent

sardonic

enthused

palpable

enervated

Correct answer:

enervated

Explanation:

"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 #1001 : One Blank Sentences

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.

Possible Answers:

priggish 

deterrent

timorous

bashful

conciliatory

Correct answer:

conciliatory

Explanation:

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 #1002 : One Blank Sentences

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.

Possible Answers:

paramount

steadfast

admissible

prolific

scant

Correct answer:

paramount

Explanation:

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 #1003 : 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.

Possible Answers:

sublime

mawkish

insightful

antediluvian

calibrated

Correct answer:

mawkish

Explanation:

"Mawkish" means to be sickly sentimental. A poem without depth might very probably be dismissed as sickly sentimental or mawkish.

Example Question #1004 : 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.

Possible Answers:

empirical

behemoth

abundant

rife

meager

Correct answer:

meager

Explanation:

"Meager" means to be deficient in size or quantity. A salary deficient in quantity would understandably make it difficult to provide for a family.

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