All SAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #227 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although Mark had been a faithful citizen for many years, after he realized the corruption in the governmental system, he deserted his former civic duty, becoming a __________ and challenging much of the system he had once so ardently defended.
troublemaker
renegade
misfit
lout
barbarian
renegade
The key thing to note here is that Mark is a “deserter” from having been a faithful citizen. Although perhaps he is a troublemaker and even a misfit, the word “renegade” best expresses the idea of deserting that to which one once was devoted. In this word the “re-” prefix does not mean “again” but instead merely strengthens the main portion of the word—the “-negade” portion of the word. This portion comes from the same roots as “negative” and “deny.” Here, the sense is to deny forcefully one’s former attachment.
Example Question #228 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although most democratic, modern persons believe that kings are necessarily __________, is it necessarily the case that they would act in such an undemocratic manner?
corrupt
unscrupulous
potentates
abominable
horrific
potentates
This problem is an example of one for which you have to find the “least bad” answer. The descriptor that we are looking for regarding kings is one that is opposed to being democratic. (This is indicated by the expression “that they would act in such an undemocratic manner”). Many of the negative terms could apply, but they go further than this implication. The word “potentate” can mean merely a monarchical ruler, but its broader implication is that such a ruler acts solely by his or her own power, without any consultation of others. The word itself is derived from Latin roots for “power,” found in many English words like “potential,” “possible,” “omnipotent,” and “impotent.”
Example Question #229 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After the long prayer, the minister closed with a high-toned __________, giving praise and thanksgiving to God for what he took to be all the blessings of the congregation.
sermon
oration
bombast
doxology
lecture
doxology
Although the minister might be giving a sermon or even an oration to the congregation, the sentence most directly indicates that whatever he is doing involves “giving prase and thanksgiving.” A “doxology” is a formulaic prayer giving thanksgiving to God. It comes from the combination of the Greek words for praise (“doxos”) and word (“logos”). The latter is used in many English words pertaining to subjects of study (such as “biology,” “logic,” etc.).
Example Question #230 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Among the members of the professional society, Lawrence was something of a ___________, often deviating from the norms and standard methods of the group.
discontent
vexation
dunce
buffoon
maverick
maverick
When one departs from accepted norms, he or she might be called many things, but it is most appropriate here to call such a person a “maverick.” The term comes from the surname of Samuel A. Maverick, who did not bother to brand his cattle. Such unmarked steers thus became known as “mavericks” since they didn’t fit into the standard system of animal control.
Example Question #148 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After the long months of depressing events in his life, Martin found it impossible to do any work at all. His physical and mental __________ prevented him from feeling any drive or ambition for any projects at all.
desolation
melancholy
depression
lassitude
dearth
lassitude
The sense of the blank is that Martin lacks drive and energy to undertake his tasks. “Lassitude” expresses such a state of weariness.
Example Question #131 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Given that there was no way to enter the small internal space except by being lowered from one of the courtyard windows, the murder of the man found lying in the center of the courtyard was a clear case of __________.
slaughter
defenestration
extermination
enigma
mystery
defenestration
The word “defenestration” is a bit odd, so one might not know it (or its constituent parts) at first glance. The prefix “de-”, which you likely do know, means down from (among other things). The “fenestration” portion is derived from the Latin for window; therefore, to be “defenestrated” is to be thrown down out of a window. Although there are not many English relatives to this root word, you might know the French “fenêtre” (window), or the related (though somewhat modified) “ventana” in Spanish.
Example Question #132 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Sadly, during the early industrialization of this nation, many Eastern Europeans were nothing more than __________ for the line work in mills and mines throughout developed areas. Their long work days acknowledged them as little else than laborers, often leaving them unable to exercise other roles in their familial and civic life.
chattel
rubes
laborers
fodder
yokels
fodder
In its strictest sense, “fodder” is the food used for livestock—general dried hay, etc. More broadly, it means something or someone used almost like material for a single job or a single role.
Example Question #133 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
In order to be a researcher in the humanities, it is necessary to be something of a __________ in order to read relevant texts in the their varied original languages.
genius
loner
polyglot
hermit
polymath
polyglot
A "polyglot" is someone who knows—and can speak, read, or write in—several languages. The word literally (from its roots) means “many tongues.” You likely know the prefix “poly,” which comes from the Greek root for “many” and is used in English words like “polygamy.” The second half of our word (“glot”) comes from the Greek for tongue and has many English relatives such as “glossary,” “gloss,” and a number of medical / biological terms like “epiglottis.”
Example Question #234 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Over the years, the court ceremony had many __________. What had started a few simple gestures had become a long string of complicated contortions.
amendments
transformations
meanderings
alterations
accretions
accretions
The court ceremony had not merely changed but had grown; therefore, the best fit is “accretions” which are things added in making something grow or increase. The key root for this word is “-cresc-,” which comes from a Latin root that is seen in similar words like “crescendo” (to increase in volume or force), decrease (to lose—“de”—size or force), and even accrue (to increase by having regular additions made to an amount over time, e.g. interest in a bank account).
Example Question #235 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The cashier looked at the customer with annoyance for having cut ahead in the line. “Please, sir,” she said, “return to the back of the __________.”
crowd
mob
queue
throng
multitude
queue
Here, the key is to note that the annoyance is caused by the fact that the customer does not obey the rules for an orderly line—which is called a “queue” since it has a sequence in which the first person who enters is the first to exit.