SAT Critical Reading : One-Blank Sentences
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Example Questions
Example Question #1022 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The card dealer suspected something was amiss as he noticed the card player’s __________ glances at his alleged spotter.
furtive
monotonous
eloquent
preeminent
bland
furtive
The card dealer suspecting that something is not quite right (“amiss”) suggests that the card player exchanged a secret, sneaky glance with his spotter. Only "furtive" meets this definition.
Example Question #1023 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although the art critics praised the new painting as original, Tom was convinced the he had seen similar work before and concluded that the work was __________.
strident
robust
derivative
electric
authentic
derivative
The word “although” indicates a contrast. Here, the art critics consider the artwork is original; therefore, Tom probably concludes the opposite. The phrase “he had seen similar work before” also suggests that the blank means the opposite of being an original. Only "derivative" (imitative) fits this definition.
Example Question #1024 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The coach’s explanation to his team was extremely ___________, and whatever value his strategies may have given his team was lost in the lack of attention given to his words.
didactic
insightful
humorous
profound
informative
didactic
The team did not pay attention to their coach thanks to his style, so the correct answer needs to have a problematic sense. “Informative” and “humorous” would both indicate the speech was interesting, while “profound” and “insightful” both indicate the team was listening. Only “didactic,” which indicates an excessive lecturing and moralistic tone, works with the structure of the sentence.
Example Question #1942 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The young boy was the __________ accomplice to his older sister’s misdeeds, as he simply followed her around wherever she went and never knew what was happening.
willing
unwitting
knowing
important
unenthusiastic
unwitting
The young boy “never knew what was happening,” and therefore had no knowledge of what his sister was doing. The correct answer choice should convey his lack of knowledge. Only “unwitting” has the correct sense out of all the answer choices.
Example Question #1943 : Psat Critical Reading
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 __________.
indifferent
animated
angry
excited
fastidious
indifferent
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 #1944 : Psat Critical Reading
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.
gargantuan
consoling
abrasive
demonstrative
hurried
abrasive
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 #1025 : Parts Of Speech In 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.
deplorable
insinuating
alluring
decisive
terrifying
alluring
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 #1026 : Parts Of Speech In 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 __________.
disillusioned
hygienic
bedraggled
unkempt
disheveled
hygienic
"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 #1027 : Parts Of Speech 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.
compassionate
salacious
narcissistic
inept
deplorable
narcissistic
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 #991 : 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.
enervated
palpable
sardonic
truculent
enthused
enervated
"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.
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