SAT Critical Reading : SAT Critical Reading
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Example Questions
Example Question #2771 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.
While exploring the __________ house with its dusty rooms, loose boards, and broken windows, Gary __________ bravery in front of his friends but was secretly terrified that they would run into a ghost or a monster.
jocular . . . ostracized
diaphanous . . . apprehended
dour . . . capitulated
dilapidated . . . feigned
haughty . . . curtailed
dilapidated . . . feigned
Since the house is described as having "dusty rooms, loose boards, and broken windows," we know that we need an adjective for the first blank that means something like run-down or dreary. "Dilapidated" (in poor condition) and "dour" (gloomy) could each work in the first blank.
So, for the second blank, we need to choose between "feigned" and "capitulated," and we're looking for a verb that means faked. Since "feigned" means pretended to feel and "capitulated" means surrendered, "feigned" is the better choice and the answer is "dilapidated . . . feigned."
Example Question #243 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Sentences
Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Eric loved his apartment, but the __________ crying of the baby in the apartment below him made it difficult to __________ on his studies, so he spent a lot of his time at the library.
unencumbered . . . deplore
persistent . . . concentrate
piercing . . . confound
chagrinned . . . distract
obsequious . . . deliberate
persistent . . . concentrate
The sentence's context clue that the baby's crying disturbs Eric enough to send him to the library gives a strong hint that the word for the first blank should involve high frequency or volume. "Persistent" and "hysterical" could each be correct, as "persistent" would indicate that the crying is constant and "piercing" would indicate that it is loud. In the latter portion of the sentence, the fact that Eric goes to the library tells us that his studying is not going well, and in this context, saying that he cannot "concentrate," or focus one's attention on something makes the most sense. So, the correct answer is "persistent . . . concentrate."
Example Question #71 : Verbs And Adjectives Or Adverbs In Two Blank Sentences
Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ behavior of the student caused the teacher to __________ him and send a note home describing the interruptions caused by the student during class time.
unpardonable . . . excuse
inexcusable . . . reprimand
acceptable . . . compliment
reprehensible . . . commend
intolerable . . . forgive
inexcusable . . . reprimand
That the teacher sent a note home "describing the interruptions caused by the student during class time" suggests that the student's behavior was bad and unjustified, and therefore "inexcusable." The teacher presumably "reprimanded" (scolded) him for his behavior and then sent the note home to his parents. So, the correct answer is "inexcusable . . . reprimand."
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