SAT Critical Reading : One-Blank Sentences
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading
All SAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Children often learn by __________, repeating their parents’ actions long before they understand the meaning of the gestures and acts.
attempts
mimesis
vision
trials
questioning
mimesis
Although a number of options might be tempting, the emphasis of the sentence is merely on the fact that the children will repeat the actions of their parents. It does not necessarily say anything about multiple trials or the mode by which the learning occurs. In general, “mimesis” means imitation. It is derived from Greek roots that are likewise reflected in words like “mime” and “mimic.”
Example Question #1 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The ___________ he suffered after falling down the main steps made him hesitant to go back to school.
ambivalence
pride
indifference
celebration
abasement
abasement
Both the event, falling down stairs, and the result of it, wanting not to go to school, indicate the boy was extremely embarrassed. The correct answer choice, therefore, will have a meaning of shame or embarrassment, which is the definition of "abasement." "Indifference" and "ambivalence" both have a sense of a lack of caring, while "pride" and "celebration" are both too positive.
Example Question #11 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the option which best completes the following sentence.
The coach liked it when his team played away games, because the __________ of the opposing fans was much better at motivating his players than the adoration of the hometown crowd.
contempt
dissent
duplicitousness
skepticism
integration
contempt
The contextual clues tell us that the feelings of the away fans are going to be the opposite of the home fans, and the home fans "adore" the team. "Contempt" is synonymous with hatred, so it is the best choice.
Example Question #11 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
The orphan never learned the identity of the kind __________ who funded his college education.
benefactor
tyrant
aesthetic
antagonist
pacifist
benefactor
The definition of "benefactor" is someone who gives a gift, often a sum of money. This is what happened to the orphan in this sentence, so "benefactor" is the correct answer.
Example Question #12 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
The movie was set in the eighteenth century, but it has a terrible __________ when an actor's cell phone is clearly visible in one scene.
anachronism
tolerance
antagonism
complacency
vindictiveness
anachronism
"Anachronism" means the representation of something as existing or happening in the wrong time period, and a cell phone in the eighteenth century is clearly misplaced. To break the word down into its roots, "ana" means wrong and "chronos" means time, so this word literally means "wrong time."
Example Question #101 : One Blank Sentences
The high school teacher talked to her students about the importance of __________ in reaching their dreams.
haughtiness
ascendancy
reticence
tenacity
vindication
tenacity
In order to succeed in their endeavors, students must be determined. Thus, a student must have tenacity or perseverance.
Example Question #21 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
The essay was one of many fascinating works in a(n) __________ edited by her favorite author.
antagonism
obituary
soufflé
anthology
broadside
anthology
An anthology is a published collection of shorter pieces of writing, such as essays. While obituaries and broadsides are also published written works, they do not contain a collection of essays.
Example Question #141 : Sentence Completion Questions
Harry couldn't keep up with their quick __________; they joked and teased each other constantly.
banter
bravado
propriety
childishness
redundance
banter
Banter is correct because it means to speak playfully or wittily. Joking and teasing (especially when it is quick and witty) can be described as banter.
Example Question #31 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
John reluctantly sat down to complete his math homework; Emma, on the other hand, jumped into her chair and attacked the problem sets with __________.
benevolence
malediction
altruism
apathy
alacrity
alacrity
The second half of the sentence contrasts with the first, as we can tell by “on the other hand.” This means that the word in the blank should mean the opposite of reluctance and grudge. The correct answer is “alacrity,” which means cheerful willingness.
Example Question #11 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Each sentence completion question is made up of a sentence with one or two blanks. One blank indicates that one word is missing. Two blanks indicate that two words are missing. Each sentence is followed by five choices. Select the one word or pair of words that will best complete the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
At the _____ of her career, the figure skater Tara Lipinski won the Olympic gold medal in individual figure skating.
conclusion
decline
beginning
apex
plateau
apex
The apex is the best fit in this sentence since Tara Lipinski won the highest medal possible at the height or apex of her career.
Certified Tutor
All SAT Critical Reading Resources
