All SAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #293 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although some people can read a foreign language adequately, few have achieved the __________ necessary for speaking the language in its native land.
erudition
scholarship
sophistication
education
fluency
fluency
Although one might be tempted to choose almost any of the options, most of all “erudition” and “sophistication,” the sense of the sentence is best met by a word describing one having complete ability to communicate. When someone is “fluent” in a language, he or she is able to utilize it in speaking and / or writing in a totally natural manner. The word comes from the Latin for “to flow,” and one could think of a “fluent speaker” as one from whom words “flow readily.”
Example Question #294 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Having been given a promotion, Theodoric had fifteen new __________ who answered to him.
managers
workers
subordinates
officers
laborers
subordinates
The only thing that can be said about the fifteen people in relation to Theodoric is that they were now “under” his watch or control. When someone is called a “subordinate,” he or she is in a lower position in relation to those who are “over” them. The word literally means “of an order (‘-ordinate’) below (‘sub-’)” or “ordained (i.e. placed or assigned) below another.”
Example Question #295 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although she experienced numerous defeats, Imelda ultimately achieved her goal through her unflagging __________.
perseverance
ethic
success
adoption
prosperity
perseverance
When someone is “unflagging,” he or she is tireless. Someone is said to be “flagging,” when he or she is tiring, a word that is related to the “flapping” sort of hanging that one finds in the case of a cloth flag on display; therefore, the best description of Imelda (in the face of the numerous defeats) is that she continued onward in spite of the disappointments. Thus, she “persevered” or had “perseverance.”
Example Question #296 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Dana was aware of her tendency to make vague statements, so she worked to develop __________ in her writing style.
simplicity
precision
humility
erudition
plainness
precision
The opposition in this sentence is between “vagueness” and “non-vagueness.” Therefore, the best choice is not merely “simplicity” or even “plainness,” but instead “precision.” When someone is precise (or shows precision), he or she does or writes “just enough” in order to communicate everything that is needed. This means that such language will not be vague or diffuse but rather is direct and plain. The word literally means “to cut short” or “to cut in advance.” It is related to “scissors” as well as “incision.”
Example Question #101 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After trying for months to convince Oliver to change his opinions, his wife accepted his __________ and ceased her attempts.
contentment
complacency
obduracy
arrogance
satisfaction
obduracy
The key expression here is “to change his opinions.” Since Oliver’s wife failed to lead him to change these, it could be said that he was stubbornly clinging on to his ways and options. When someone is “obdurate,” he or she is stubborn in refusing to change in these ways. The word comes from the Latin for “hard” found in English words like “durability” and “endurance.” The expression “to harden one’s heart” is similar in meaning to “obdurate.”
Example Question #111 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
When the class began to mock and laugh at Francis, he recoiled in horror, for he could not bear the embarrassment of such __________.
attention
declamation
joking
ridicule
atrocities
ridicule
The key expression here is “mock and laugh.” Since it is implied that Francis cannot bear such things, the best to say that he could not bear “ridicule.” The word means “to mock, deride, and / or laugh at.” It comes from the Latin for “to laugh” and is found in English words like “ridiculous,” “risible,” and “derision.” In particular, “deride” carries the added sense of mockery, not merely laugher.
Example Question #112 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Much of the audience was pleased with Jennifer's __________, saying that it was a great introduction to the forum.
malediction
fugitive
preamble
pariah
dissonance
preamble
The second half of the sentence tells us that Jennifer gave some kind of introduction. "Preamble" is the answer choice that means an introductory statement.
Example Question #113 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although Ryan regularly killed the plants in his garden, he did so naturally, not needing to use a chemical __________.
herbicide
liquid
ingredient
compound
fluid
herbicide
Since we are told nothing at all about the nature of the chemical that Ryan did not need, the most general option will be the best. Even the word “compound” is too general, for one could perhaps kill plants with elements (i.e. non-compounds); therefore, the best option is “herbicide,” which merely means “a substance that kills plants.” This word is part of a larger “-cide” class of words that mean “to kill.” Think of “suicide,” which means “to kill oneself” (sui) and “fratricide” which means “to kill one’s brother” (frater / fratr-).
Example Question #1152 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After their total defeat, the remaining warriors, only a small __________ of the many thousands who fought, retreated to their ships.
rabble
remnant
legion
phalanx
capillary
remnant
Since the warriors were defeated, we should expect only a portion or a remainder of the many thousands retreated to the ships. The word we want should indicate smallness, because not many of the warriors survived. "Phalanx" means a specific type of military formation—this would say something about how the soldiers retreated, not about how many were left. "Rabble" is close, but it means a disorderly mob. "Legion" is the opposite of what we want; it means a very large number. "Capillary" refers to a vein or blood vessel in the body. The best choice is "remnant," which means a fragment or a small remainder.
Example Question #1153 : Psat Critical Reading
Given that John’s personal life did not match the moral injunctions about which he wrote vehemently, many of John’s friends expected him some day to condemn his own behavior as sheer __________.
irregularity
insensitivity
perplexity
oversight
hypocrisy
hypocrisy
The key thing to note in the initial subordinate clause is that John’s life is “out of harmony” with the moral code that he proclaimed (and indeed enjoined to others) in his writing. When someone’s actions oppose the standards in which they claim to believe, such a person is called a “hypocrite.” John’s friends well expected him to condemn is own “hypocritical” behavior. They must have believed that, given his high moral standards, he would eventually be forced to admit to the immorality of his hypocrisy.
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