SAT Critical Reading : One-Blank Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #861 : Sentence Completion

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

John's teacher told him that he needed to cut down on the punctuation; there were __________ commas everywhere in his last essay.

Possible Answers:

dissonant

essential

flatulent

superfluous

exquisite

Correct answer:

superfluous

Explanation:

"Superfluous" means excessive. We know from the first half of the sentence that John uses too much punctuation, so this is the correct choice. "Essential" and "exquisite" are both positive adjectives, so they don't work in this blank. "Flatulent" and "dissonant" simply don't make sense when describing commas.

Example Question #661 : One Blank Sentences

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

It is often difficult for historians to construct a(n) __________ narrative, as personal bias affects every individual.

Possible Answers:

dispassionate

verbose

rhetorical

whimsical

influential

Correct answer:

dispassionate

Explanation:

The sentence reveals that it is difficult for a historian to construct a certain type of narrative because of the impact of bias; therefore, the word that goes in the blank must refer to the quality of being unbiased. "Dispassionate" means calmly objective or not influenced by personal feelings, so it is the best answer. As for the other answer choices, "whimsical" means quirky; "rhetorical" means relating to strategies of making language effective and persuasive; "verbose" means wordy; and "influential" means having influence or important.

Example Question #863 : Sentence Completion

The unlabelled milk proved to be so __________ that I had a stomachache for the rest of the day after cleaning out the refrigerator.

Possible Answers:

knotty

unsatisfactory

counterfeit

monstrous

noxious 

Correct answer:

noxious 

Explanation:

The answer is "noxious" since the subject of the sentence got a stomachache after coming in contact with the "harmful and toxic" milk.

Example Question #21 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

The colors were faded, the performers seemed tired, and the music played on a repetitive loop; on the whole, it was a rather __________ performance.

Possible Answers:

fastidious

feasible 

pretentious

lucrative

lackluster

Correct answer:

lackluster

Explanation:

Lackluster is correct because it means dull or lacking in brilliance. We know from the first part of the sentence that the blank should contain a negative adjective, so feasible and lucrative don't work. Pretentious describes something or someone who wants to be regarded as impressive, and fastidious describes a person who is careful and meticulous. Neither describe a falling-apart performance.

Example Question #22 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Harry tried to blend in with the crowd, but he had forgotten about the bright pink bow on his head, which made him look particularly __________.

Possible Answers:

impervious

enthused

conciliatory

conspicuous

fanatic

Correct answer:

conspicuous

Explanation:

Conspicuous is the correct answer because it means to stand out or be more visible. Enthused or fanatic are other adjectives that might fit wearing a bright pink bow, but the conspicuous contrasts well with how he "tried to blend in with the crowd."

Example Question #865 : Sentence Completion

"Oh, but I liked young Harry," exclaimed Sue's grandmother. "He was so charming and __________!"

Possible Answers:

brusque

valuable

volatile

winsome

solid

Correct answer:

winsome

Explanation:

Winsome is correct because it means attractive or handsome. We know it has to be something that is positive because it is paired with "charming." Brusque and volatile are both negative adjectives and can be eliminated.

Example Question #863 : Sentence Completion

His mother said dismissively that the film was full of __________ violence, but Fred liked all the blood and gore.

Possible Answers:

shrewd

gruesome

gratuitous

bewitching

captivating

Correct answer:

gratuitous

Explanation:

Because of the "but" in the sentence, we know that the mother's opinion of the violence should contrast with Fred's. Since Fred liked it, the mother didn't, and the blank calls for a negative adjective. Gruesome and gratuitous are the options we have left. We can eliminate gruesome because it is not often that someone speaks "dismissively" of something that grosses them out. Gratuitous works best because it means uncalled for or unjustified.

Example Question #861 : Sentence Completion

The __________ soccer player returned to training after her third ACL surgery and difficult recovery.

Possible Answers:

tenacious

opulent

restrained

wary

impetuous 

Correct answer:

tenacious

Explanation:

Since this was her third surgery, the soccer player must be stubbornly persistent, or "tenacious" in returning to training once again after a difficult recovery.

Example Question #864 : Sentence Completion

Many actors spend their entire lives chasing after the __________ high that is associated with being onstage in front of an audience.

Possible Answers:

jubilant

ephemeral 

divergent

frugal

exemplary

Correct answer:

ephemeral 

Explanation:

"Ephemeral" works best here since a high is a temporary rush of euphoric emotions, which can only last so long before disappearing, making it temporary.

Example Question #865 : Sentence Completion

The college freshman considered her dorm room very __________ after sharing a room with her three sisters all her life.

Possible Answers:

arid

florid

frugal

enervating

capacious

Correct answer:

capacious

Explanation:

Because she had shared a room with her three sisters all her life, she was probably accustomed to a cramped and small living space. Thus, the dorm room must seem very large, or "capacious," to her.

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