SAT Critical Reading : One-Blank Sentences
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading
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Example Questions
Example Question #197 : Sentence Completion Questions
The light rainfall left the wooden rowboat glistening, the water giving a slight reflective __________ on the oars stacked on its sides.
texture
sheen
color
feel
quantity
sheen
We can infer that because the rainfall left the rowboat "glistening" and that the noun that will go in the blank will be described by the adjectives "slight" and "reflective," we need to pick out a word that has something to do with shininess, and in particular, slight shininess. While "color" may look like a potentially correct answer, it wouldn't make sense in the blank, because the sentence isn't talking about "color," but shininess. "Sheen," however, is a noun that means "a soft luster on a surface," and because "sheen" best describes the slight shininess that the rowboat acquires after being rained on, "sheen" is the correct answer.
Example Question #198 : Sentence Completion Questions
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
The government was held in __________ until the issue of healthcare was resolved.
alacrity
affinity
abeyance
ambience
affirmation
abeyance
The choice that makes the most sense is abeyance: a temporary state of suspended action.
Example Question #201 : Sentence Completion Questions
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
The assassination of the country’s political leaders led to a period of __________ and turmoil.
piety
probity
antipathy
anarchy
apathy
anarchy
The choice that makes the most sense is anarchy: a state of disorder due to the absence of a governing body.
Example Question #202 : Sentence Completion Questions
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
The __________ of the mind seems to wane significantly after a child has passed a certain age.
plasticity
precept
pique
platitude
posterity
plasticity
The choice that makes the most sense is plasticity: ability to be easily shaped or molded.
Example Question #203 : Sentence Completion Questions
Pick the word that best completes the sentence
The doctor was stumped: he had no idea what the __________ was for this particular snake bite.
antidote
antibiotic
ceratoid
analgesia
myalgia
antidote
An antidote is a subtance which reverses the effect of poisoning—while "antibiotic" is close, in this context, a snake bite releases poison, not bacteria, so the best word is "antidote."
Example Question #204 : Sentence Completion Questions
Pick the best word to complete the sentence.
Political scientists will debate for years to come about whether Barack Obama's healthcare __________ was the best solution.
legislations
reform
deployment
policies
institutions
reform
Based on the verb in the sentence, this word needs to be singular—so although policy and legislation might make sense based solely on meaning, reform is the best answer.
Example Question #161 : One Blank Sentences
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
Simon had to resort to trickery and __________ to convince his mother to let him go out on Friday night.
chicanery
respite
prudence
skepticism
panacea
chicanery
"Chicanery" means deception or trickery. "Skepticism" means doubt or disbelief. "Respite" means a pause or suspension of activity. "Prudence" means caution or carefullness. "Panacea" means a cure-all or remedy.
Example Question #91 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
Nobody is perfect; we all have our own __________.
dictums
mendicants
jargons
genres
foibles
foibles
"Foible" means a personal imperfection or shortcoming. "Mendicant" means a beggar or vagabond. "Jargon" is a dialect or invented language. "Genre" means a type or category. "Dictum" means a saying or a proverb.
Example Question #92 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
__________ to you Bill! You really did well on the vocabulary portion of the exam.
kudos
edicts
chagrins
maxims
acumens
kudos
"Kudos" means congratulations or praise. "Chagrin" means displeasure or annoyance. "Edict" means a pronouncement or order. "Acumen" means ability to understand or reason, acuity, or ingenuity. "Maxim" means a saying or a proverb.
Example Question #75 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
Using her mother's __________, Sandra knew her teenage son wasn't being completely honest with her.
eloquence
apathy
belligerence
intuition
chagrin
intuition
"Intuition" means insight or instinct. "Chagrin" means displeasure or annoyance. "Eloquence" means skillful way with words or speech. "Belligerence" means aggresiveness or hostility. "Apathy" means an uncaring attitude or lack of caring.
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