All SAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #502 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Since the left side of Benjamin’s body was injured by the accident, he had to __________ by using his right arm for many actions that formerly were more comfortably performed from his left side.
normalize
compensate
prevail
overcome
succeed
compensate
The key thing to note is that Benjamin had to transfer many tasks from one side of his body to the other. When someone “compensates,” they use one thing to make up for the (real or perceived) deficiencies in another. The word can also mean “to pay back in due measure,” as when an employee is compensated for work. This is related but not the same to the sense being used here.
Example Question #494 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
Knowing that the investor was generous in donating his money, a number of organizations would __________ him at the end of the year in the hopes of receiving some donation from him in response.
disturb
solicit
bother
visit
invoke
solicit
We know neither if these organizations would visit or bother the investor, but it is quite obvious that they are asking for something (i.e. donations); therefore, we can at least say that they are “soliciting” him. The word is related to English words like “solicitude” (meaning “showing concern”) and is more distantly derived from Latin roots meaning “anxious.” In the case of our usage of “solicit,” you can think of it as being “anxious” to get a donation.
Example Question #495 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
Although Peter’s commute in no way required him to pass by his girlfriend’s house, he __________ a set of circumstances that would take him by there at least twice a week.
managed
admitted
contrived
created
undertook
contrived
Since Peter had no reason to drive past his girlfriend’s house, he needed to create the circumstances that would allow him to do so. When one “contrives” something, he or she creates it by means of explicit skill. This option is better than “created,” for “contrived” captures the sense of the need for Peter’s creative effort.
Example Question #496 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
Barbara had __________ the largest collection of garlic bulbs on the east coast, far outnumbering even the second most sizable of such collections.
heaped
piled
categorized
cataloged
amassed
amassed
Since Barbara gathered a large collection, the best term to select is “amassed.” The other two tempting options are likely “heaped” or “piled,” but while these two words do partially imply a respectable number of items, (in order to create a heap or a pile), they primarily signify the act of creating the piles or heaps. The word “amass,” on the other hand, primarily means “to gather together,” usually implying a large number as well. The word is indifferent to the manner by which these items are gathered together.
Example Question #723 : Sentence Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The complexity of analogies often __________ even the most perceptive of philosophers, who often confuse such nuanced uses with forms of strict equivalence of meaning.
stultifys
confutes
eludes
overwhelms
overcomes
eludes
Since even the most perceptive philosophers misunderstand analogical predication, it “escapes” them. When something “eludes” someone, it “escapes” him or her in the sense of not being understood. The word comes from Latin roots literally meaning “to play away from,” though it takes more nuanced forms in English. It is related to words like “illusion,” “elusive,” and even “prelude."
Example Question #726 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The members of the PTA were quick to __________ their allegiance to the campaign, openly and publicly declaring their support of the proposal to lengthen the school day.
allege
disclaim
impress
belie
avow
avow
"Avow" means to declare openly. The sentence provides the exact definition of the correct answer choice, making this question a quiz of the test-taker’s vocabulary. If you know the definition of “avow,” you’ll be quick to choose the correct answer.
Example Question #727 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The employees felt __________ after their manager publicly blamed them for his mistake, and then he refused to answer any phone calls or emails after the incident.
marooned
repudiated
surrendered
reserved
redeemed
marooned
The sentence implies that the employees were left to their own devices after the incident in question, and “marooned” means to be left isolated and alone and without means of escape. “Marooned” is the correct word choice to describe the feelings of the employees.
Example Question #724 : Sentence Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The couple wanted someone who had known both of them since childhood to __________ their marriage ceremony, so they asked a close family friend to lead the service.
abbreviate
elucidate
officiate
tome
traduce
officiate
“Officiate” most closely means to perform a ceremony or duty in an official capacity. As a marriage ceremony, in this context, would be an official ceremony, "officiate" is the best answer choice.
Example Question #725 : Sentence Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The new law was an effort to __________ certain hunting practices, but many outdoorsman believe the new prohibitions could not be enforced.
undermine
enable
unencumber
proscribe
promote
proscribe
The law’s effort, as mentioned in the second part of the sentence, is to prohibit certain actions. Of the given answer choices, only “proscribe” is a synonym for prohibit.
Example Question #501 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The professor’s lectures had a tendency to __________, often taking on topics that bore little relation to his initial subject.
meander
narrow
finesse
pontificate
pinpoint
meander
The professor’s habit of discussing topics not related to his subject shows he wanders around various topics. Of the answer choices, only “meander” is a synonym for wander.