SAT Critical Reading : One-Blank Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #981 : One Blank Sentences

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

The recent discovery of oil on the property has led analysts to believe that the construction of refineries in the area will soon prove to be a very __________ investment.

Possible Answers:

lucrative

vapid

deleterious

lukewarm

demented

Correct answer:

lucrative

Explanation:

Only "lucrative" means prosperous or financially promising.

Example Question #982 : One Blank Sentences

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

Termites are known to invade and destroy homes in such a(n) __________ nature that one does not notice their presence until it is too late.

Possible Answers:

insidious

incomprehensible

industrious

invincible

benign

Correct answer:

insidious

Explanation:

"Insidious" means dangerous in a subtle way. Since the termites cause great damage to homes without the homeowners noticing, they can be described as "insidious."

Example Question #983 : One Blank Sentences

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

The __________ fishermen pressed on for port despite the treacherous conditions of the sea that night.

Possible Answers:

insouciant

innocuous

irksome

intrepid

itinerant

Correct answer:

intrepid

Explanation:

These fisherman were pressing on despite difficult circumstances. This description matches well with the meaning of "intrepid," an adjective that means fearless or bold.

Example Question #984 : One Blank Sentences

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

The doctor reassured the worried mother that the vaccine he was giving her child was completely __________ and that her baby was not in any danger.

Possible Answers:

insouciant

innocuous

intrepid

insipid

inscrutable

Correct answer:

innocuous

Explanation:

"Innocuous" means harmless, and if the doctor told the mother that her the baby wouldn't be in any danger, the meaning of "innocuous" fits the context of the sentence.

Example Question #985 : One Blank Sentences

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

Living in Boston was __________ for the young couple, as all of their friends and family were still in California and they felt like they didn't know anyone.

Possible Answers:

encumbering

delineating

dismantling

deploring

arduous

Correct answer:

arduous

Explanation:

"Arduous" means difficult and tiring. Living in a big city full of strangers can certainly be difficult and tiring, so "arduous" is the answer choice that best fits the context of the sentence.

Example Question #986 : One Blank Sentences

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

Receiving his court summons, Carl cursed our __________ society for being overly concerned with lawsuits.

Possible Answers:

garrulous

litigious

supine

magnanimous

onerous

Correct answer:

litigious

Explanation:

"Litigious" means interested in lawsuits or tending to go to court to solve problems. Summoned by the courts, Carl cursed society for being excessively prone to go to the law to settle disputes.

Example Question #987 : One Blank Sentences

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

Bobby Orr is truly a __________ ice hockey defenseman; no defenseman has ever dominated the sport like him.

Possible Answers:

peerless

mediocre

modest

common

importunate

Correct answer:

peerless

Explanation:

"Peerless" means eminent beyond or above comparison. Because Bobby Orr dominated his sport like no other defenseman, it can be said that he is eminent beyond comparison.

Example Question #981 : One Blank Sentences

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

The scientist reviewed all of the research on the matter and then proposed a __________ reason for the chimps' behavior.

Possible Answers:

outlandish

implausible

intrepid

inconsiderate

plausible

Correct answer:

plausible

Explanation:

"Plausible" means reasonable. Naturally, a scientist would wish to put forward a reasonable (that is, plausible) explanation for the chimps' behavior.

Example Question #982 : One Blank Sentences

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

After years of talking down to his players as if they were ignorant children, the coach finally acknowledged that his attitude was __________.

Possible Answers:

variable

commendable

condescending

fastidious

indifferent

Correct answer:

condescending

Explanation:

The phrases “talking down” and “ignorant children” suggest that the coach’s attitude toward his players was one of patronizing superiority. "Condescending" fits this definition. 

Example Question #1021 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The superhero was __________ about his accolades; he said even less about his legendary powers.

Possible Answers:

bombastic

grandiloquent

portent

caustic

taciturn

Correct answer:

taciturn

Explanation:

The semicolon indicates that a supporting relationship between the two thoughts separated by the semicolon. Here, the superhero said even less about his legendary powers. Thus, only "taciturn" (saying little) fits as an answer choice.

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