SAT Critical Reading : One-Blank Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #316 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

Although the nation avoided financial reforms for many years, the great banking crisis provided the necessary __________ for such reforms to begin.

Possible Answers:

panic

impetus

hysteria

fear

reflection

Correct answer:

impetus

Explanation:

Since the nation is said to have avoided the reform, it can be said not to have had enough force behind the idea of such an undertaking. We are not told anything about the crisis’ effects on the psyche of the nation, so it is not fair to say that it provided the necessary “panic” (and so forth). Insofar as the crisis encouraged the nation to undertake the reform, it can be said to have provided an “impetus,” that is, the force to start it. The word literally means “to seek toward something.” The “seek” portion is derived from the Latin “peto,” which is reflected in the “-petus” portion of the word. It is found in many English words like “petition,” “repetition,” and even “appetite.”

Example Question #311 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

__________ can come in many forms, for many poor people are just as eager to increase their resources as are the greediest of wealthy individuals.

Possible Answers:

Avarice

Laundering

Investing

Profiteering

Sedition

Correct answer:

Avarice

Explanation:

“Avarice” is extreme greediness for material wealth. Since the second half of the sentence indicates both eagerness for such increase and comparison to the “greediest,” it is implied that this is not a matter of mere desire but instead something stronger like “avarice.” Also, all of the other “monetary words” among the possible answers are related to certain acts or strategies to be undertaken by those wishing to increase gain.

Example Question #411 : Sentence Completions

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

At the __________ of his power, that emperor ruled kingdoms on three continents; never had he governed so much land, and never would he govern any more land than he did at that time.

Possible Answers:

end

middle

zenith

beginning

promise

Correct answer:

zenith

Explanation:

We know that the sentence is discussing the moment at which the emperor was most powerful, so we should pick out an answer choice that means something like "height." While "middle" might look like a potentially good answer choice, especially because it is surrounded by "beginning" and "end," "zenith" is the better answer choice. While "zenith" specifically means "the highest point reached by a celestial or other object" or "the point in the sky or celestial sphere directly above an observer," it also means "the time at which something is most powerful or successful." Because "zenith" is closer in meaning to "height" than is "middle," "zenith" is the correct answer.

Example Question #412 : Sentence Completions

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

Perhaps every person must go through a period of __________, for any normal life experience ultimately leads to profound uncertainties.

Possible Answers:

indignation

angst

immaturity

anger

adolescence

Correct answer:

angst

Explanation:

Since the second clause speaks of “uncertainties,” anything matching this would be the best choice. Anger and indignation are too strong and specifically refer to something more than mere uncertainty, though uncertainty can often lead people to anger. Do not be tempted to think of immaturity or adolescence, though these are often marked by or related to uncertainty. The best word is “angst” which means “dread” and is often related to one’s realization of the difficulties of life. The word is related to words like “anxious” and “anxiety.”

Example Question #1359 : Psat Critical Reading

Neuropsychologists have a doctorate degree and __________ in studying the brain.

Possible Answers:

liability

expertise

ignorance

deficit

aversion

Correct answer:

expertise

Explanation:

People with doctorate degrees have had a large amount of education and knowledge. This would mean that they have an expertise in studying the brain. (The prefix "neuro" means brain).

Example Question #411 : One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The prize’s __________ stepped up to the platform to accept the trophy from the presiding official.

Possible Answers:

recipient

honorarium

beneficiary

heir

announcer

Correct answer:

recipient

Explanation:

Do not overanalyze this sentence but instead pay heed to the most obvious meaning. The implication of the sentence is that the person in question is receiving the price. Therefore, choose the word that simply reflects that act of reception, namely “recipient.” Note that the word is directly related to “receive,” although the “-ceiv-” becomes “-cip-”. The other tempting words “beneficiary” and “heir” imply either advantage or inheritance—more than is needed here. The word “honorarium” is actually a pay given to someone for services that would normally be free.

Example Question #321 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

Before requesting funding for the project, the investors asked that the scientists construct a __________ to show that it was at least likely that a fully designed version was feasible.

Possible Answers:

miniature

demonstration

display

prototype

presentation

Correct answer:

prototype

Explanation:

The key phrase here is “fully designed version.” The sentence implies that the investors wanted to see that an initial (non-full) design would be operational, hopefully indicating that the full version would likewise feasibly operate. Such an “initial” version is a “prototype,” a word literally meaning “a first version.” The prefix “proto-” is found in words like “protocol,” “proton,” and “protoplasm.”

Example Question #322 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

The scientist was surprised to find dramatic __________ in the data resulting from her experiment, which she had expected to be relatively uniform.

Possible Answers:

fluctuations

intonations

heraldry

comparisons

consistency

Correct answer:

fluctuations

Explanation:

We can infer that because the scientist expected her experiment to yield "relatively uniform" results, that she would be "surprised" if her data was not uniform. So, we need to pick out a noun for the blank that has the connotation of not being uniform. "Constants" cannot be the correct answer then, because a "constant" by definition is "something that stays the same : something that does not change," or "a quantity or number whose value does not change," and we need to pick out a noun referring to something that does involve change(s). "Fluctuations" is the correct answer because a "fluctuation" is "an irregular rising and falling in number or amount; a variation," making it the answer choice which best fits the context of the sentence.

Example Question #323 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The Mongol Empire was the largest collection of territory that the world has ever seen; yet the ­­__________ of Mongolian hegemony means it is scarcely remembered today. 

Possible Answers:

brevity 

predictability

transmission 

enforcement 

petulance

Correct answer:

brevity 

Explanation:

The construction of this sentence implies that the Mongolian Empire is scarcely remembered because of some quality attributable to it. Predictability means happening in an expected way; petulance means ill-temper or sulkiness; transmission means the act of broadcasting something; enforcement means to compel obedience. Of these four possible answer choices predictability is the only word that could possibly fit, brevity is however a much neater fit. Brevity refers to how brief an event is. The briefness of Mongolian hegemony (hegemony means regional dominance) is a logical reason why it would be scarcely remembered today.

Example Question #324 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

The __________ of Emperor Frederick I of Germany was well known throughout Europe; he was a ruler that could be counted on to make practical decisions.

Possible Answers:

indulgence

pragmatism 

smugness

cooperation 

impression

Correct answer:

pragmatism 

Explanation:

From the context of this sentence, you know that whatever aspect of Emperor Frederick I is being described must refer to his ability "to make practical decisions." Of the five answer choices, "pragmatism" is the best option, since it means a practical way of thinking concerned with how to get the best results. As for the other answer choices, "indulgence" means something that gratifies one's desires; "smugness" describes excessive self-satisfaction or arrogance; and "cooperation" refers to the practice of working with someone towards a goal that is mutually beneficial.

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