SAT Critical Reading : One-Blank Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #961 : One Blank Sentences

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

_________ displays of wealth were common among the rulers of Renaissance Europe; some observers enjoyed the displays of luxury, others complained that the Kings were just showing off.

Possible Answers:

Equitable 

Halting 

Steadfast 

Insular 

Ostentatious 

Correct answer:

Ostentatious 

Explanation:

From the information revealed in the sentence you know that the blank word must be close in meaning to “wealth” and “luxury.” Also, the notion that the Kings were showing off suggests that some people found it not just rich, but also showy. This should lead you to the correct answer ostentatious. Ostentatious means marked by a vulgar or showy display of wealth. Insular means inwardly focused; halting means speech characterized by frequent pauses; steadfast means resolute; equitable means fair and agreeable.

Example Question #962 : One Blank Sentences

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

The palace at Versailles is one of the most __________ in all of Europe; it remains a popular tourist site today due to the excessive luxury on display.

Possible Answers:

laconic 

extravagant

reserved 

whimsical 

indoctrinated

Correct answer:

extravagant

Explanation:

The second clause in the sentence describes how people come from all over to witness the “excessive luxury” of Versailles. This should indicate to you that the first blank must describe the luxurious nature of the palace. The correct answer is therefore extravagant which means fancy or excessive. Whimsical means quirky or silly; reserved means contained; indoctrinated means to have been caused to believe something; laconic means brief.

Example Question #1001 : Sentence Completion Questions

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

Sarah’s teacher instructed her that her essay needed greater focus; the teacher felt that the thesis was far too _________.

Possible Answers:

propserous 

ambiguous 

terse

demanding

supercilious

Correct answer:

ambiguous 

Explanation:

The first clause reveals that the teacher faulted the essay for lacking focus; therefore the blank at the end of the sentence must mean unfocused or vague. This means the correct answer is ambiguous. Terse means brief; supercilious means arrogant or condescending; prosperous means wealthy.

Example Question #961 : One Blank Sentences

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

The __________ struggle of the Hawaiian nationalist movement ended in complete capitulation.  

Possible Answers:

jubilant 

futile 

monotonous

successful

reinforced

Correct answer:

futile 

Explanation:

The sentence tells you that the Hawaiian nationalist movement ended in complete capitulation (surrender) which means the struggle must have been unsuccessful/insignificant. Of the five possible answer choices futile best matches this definition. Futile means pointless or useless; jubilant means very happy; monotonous means boring.

Example Question #321 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

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

The __________ man could often be found in the local haunt or a roadside establishment, lingering longer than even the pool players or the karaoke enthusiasts.

Possible Answers:

bibulous

colloquial

sonorous

dissentious

compunctive

Correct answer:

bibulous

Explanation:

"Bibulous" refers to a person who is fond of drinking. The context of the sentence provides clues that indicate that the individual in the sentence frequents bars or saloons and stays longer than a casual drinker.

Example Question #963 : One Blank Sentences

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

The commentators felt that the way the linebacker plowed into the wide receiver, running into him with full force out of bounds, was __________ to barbarity.

Possible Answers:

disparate

radical

naught

nether

tantamount

Correct answer:

tantamount

Explanation:

"Tantamount" means equal in value or meaning, and the description of the way the linebacker hits the wide receiver in the sentence seems to indicate that the hit was uncalled for, or too harsh for the fact the receiver was out of bounds. This would indicate a comparison to a barbarous act, so “tantamount” fits to complete the sentence.

Example Question #1004 : Sentence Completion Questions

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

After a chaotic move to a new state, the family was eager to settle in to a __________ period before they both began new jobs later that month.

Possible Answers:

lavish

halcyon

jaunty

tempestuous

temperate

Correct answer:

halcyon

Explanation:

The sentence is structured to create a contrast between the “chaotic” state of the family’s move and the period before their new jobs start. The correct choice will be a word that means something similar to calm or tranquil, and so the correct choice is "halcyon."

Example Question #981 : One Blank Sentences

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

The children were amazed at how the __________ trapeze artist was able to walk the tight rope and fly through the air.

Possible Answers:

sensitive

clumsy

perspicacious

nimble

moronic

Correct answer:

nimble

Explanation:

The sentence calls for a word that describes the type of movements of a trapeze artist, specifically the ability to walk a tight rope or fly through the air. The word that most closely fits this description would be “nimble.”

Example Question #982 : One Blank Sentences

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

Ever since he could utter his first word, Phillip has been a(n) __________ person; he is never short of words.

Possible Answers:

facetious

extroverted

reticent

outgoing

loquacious

Correct answer:

loquacious

Explanation:

The key phrase is “never short of words.” The semicolon here links two independent clauses of similar meaning.  “Loquacious” means talkative and is therefore the correct answer. "Outgoing" and "extroverted" both mean gregarious or to be fond of social interaction.  Though close to the right answer, these are not as good a fit as "loquacious."  Also, "outgoing" and "extroverted" have the same meaning and thus both can be eliminated.  There cannot be two right answers to a test question. 

 

 

Example Question #983 : One Blank Sentences

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

Despite all his efforts, Bobby was not able to achieve his personal goals, leaving him __________.

Possible Answers:

ecstatic

delighted

wary

punctilious

crestfallen

Correct answer:

crestfallen

Explanation:

The logic of this sentence requires a word that means “discouraged”. The introductory clause “despite all his efforts” is a key phrase. The word “crestfallen” means dejected or discouraged.

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