SAT Critical Reading : One-Blank Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #121 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

The __________ words of the preacher were among the most beautifully constructed sentences that his listeners had ever heard.

Possible Answers:

enunciated

recited

mellifluous

rhetorical

bombastic

Correct answer:

mellifluous

Explanation:

The best option is that which indicates the beauty of the words spoken by the preacher. The word “mellifluous” means “beautiful and pleasing to hear.” The word literally means “flowing with honey,” so it at times can have the meaning of “sweet sounding.” The “mel-” prefix is derived from the Latin for honey and can be found in the rare English word “melliferous,” which means “producing honey.”

Example Question #751 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

One can only remain __________ before great evils for so long; inevitably, one must choose sides for or against horrible atrocities.

Possible Answers:

neutral

calm

restrained

tranquil

placid

Correct answer:

neutral

Explanation:

The key expression here is “one must choose sides for or against.” The contrast implied in the sentence is between one who does not take such sides and one who does do so. When someone does not have a preference for either side of a conflict or controversy, he or she is said to be “neutral.” (A neutral person need not be calm or tranquil, though often this can be the case.) The word comes from the Latin word describing a gender in the Latin language, namely the neuter gender. Many non-English modern European languages still have the masculine and feminine genders for their nouns. Languages like Latin and Greek also had another option, the neuter gender. Being neither masculine nor feminine, it was rather neutral on the matter of gender!

Example Question #81 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Mildred’s acts may not have been immoral in a strict sense, but given that she did ignore the regulations in force, they could be considered __________.

Possible Answers:

illicit

unacceptable

egregious

appalling

facetious

Correct answer:

illicit

Explanation:

Since Mildred’s actions are implied to have been against the regulations, they are illegal even if someone wants to argue that they are not immoral. Something “illicit” is literally something “against the law.” The “il-” prefix is a negative prefix applied to the base “-licit,” which means “lawful.” The latter is related to words like “license” and “licentiate.”

Example Question #762 : Sentence Completion Questions

Joseph finally concluded that all his efforts were doomed to be __________, for after hundreds of attempts, it seemed certain that he was incapable of accomplishing his goals.

Possible Answers:

aggravating

thwarted

inefficacious

defeated

frustrating

Correct answer:

inefficacious

Explanation:

Since it seemed that Joseph could not accomplish his goals, it can be said that his efforts would not be “effective” or (more exactly) “efficacious” (meaning “successful or able to produce and effect”). We cannot say that they are either thwarted or frustrating. The sentence merely speaks of him being incapable; therefore, the best option is the negation of “efficacious”: “inefficacious.”

Example Question #752 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Instead of quitting in despair, David decided to face the coming difficult month with a __________ attitude, convinced that he could thus overcome the hardships through his determination.

Possible Answers:

conceited

presumptuous

haughty

resolute

pollyanna

Correct answer:

resolute

Explanation:

The key word here is “determination,” for it describes David’s overall attitude. When someone is “resolute,” he or she is fixedly determined to do something. When one makes a “resolution,” he or she fixes that resolution as a goal. Traditionally, people make “new year’s resolutions” as goals for the coming year.

Example Question #753 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Watching the stars from his windows every night and reading about constellations during the day, Omer was deeply interested in all things __________.

Possible Answers:

scientific

unearthly

celestial

planetary

ethereal

Correct answer:

celestial

Explanation:

Omer could be said to have an interest in “the heavens.” The word “celestial,” is an adjective meaning “concerning heavenly bodies” or “concerning the things of space.” It is derived from the Latin word for “heavens” or “skies.” The instrument called “the celeste” is so named because of its “heavenly” sound.

Example Question #754 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Although the puzzle was not particularly __________, it still perplexed John, taking him several hours to solve.

Possible Answers:

intricate

advanced

secondary

undisclosed

unknown

Correct answer:

intricate

Explanation:

The key word to note is “perplexed,” which helps to give sense to the contrast being proposed in this sentence. The sense is that the puzzle was not particularly perplexing or difficult. While the option “advanced” might appear to be an adequate option, it does not signify the sense of perplexity as well a the word “intricate.” The word “intricate” implies a certain “trickiness” or complicated nature. It is derived from the Latin for “to entangle,” which itself is derived from the word for “trick.” It is related to words like “intriguing” and “extricate.”

Example Question #82 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

William did not realize how ___________ his remarks were, for he would not personally have been angered by them.

Possible Answers:

inflammatory

petty

racist

questionable

sedate

Correct answer:

inflammatory

Explanation:

The sentence implies that William’s words apparently angered some people, even if they would not have angered him. When something (particularly words or speech) provoke anger, they are said to be “inflammatory.” The word has the sense of “setting on fire,” which is obvious from the “-flam-” portion of the word, which is related to “flame.”

Example Question #642 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Justine hated when her husband used __________ expressions to name her, for such words only functioned only to make her seem small and powerless in comparison with him.

Possible Answers:

insulting

diminutive

defamatory

coddling

despicable

Correct answer:

diminutive

Explanation:

The key expression is “small and powerless,” in particular “small.” When something is “diminutive,” it is very small, though when the adjective is applied to words or expressions, it implies the usage of such words either in affection (“darling,” “sweetie”) or as expressing contempt (by treating the other person as being “little” and, by implication, not fully mature). The word is clearly related to English words like “diminish” and “diminution.”

Example Question #921 : One Blank Sentences

Although the two countries had not settled on an official trade agreement, for many years they operated under a __________ state of friendly exchange.

Possible Answers:

tenuous

tacit

delicate

questionable

fragile

Correct answer:

tacit

Explanation:

Based on what is stated in the sentence, one cannot say whether or not the current state of friendly exchange is either weak or questionable; however, it can be described as being “unsaid” in the sense of not having an official status in treaties or law. The word “tacit” means “being known without being stated explicitly.” It is related to Latin words for “to be silent.” Someone who speaks very little can be described as being “taciturn.”

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