SAT Critical Reading : Sentence Completion Questions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

Example Question #373 : One Blank Sentences

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

To sailors, a red sky has always been a __________ of harsh weather to come.

Possible Answers:

epicure

reprieve

harbinger

pariah

nuance

Correct answer:

harbinger

Explanation:

The red sky is a warning or a sign, so we need a word that fits the definition of something that could be considered a warning. "Harbinger" is the only answer choice that fits.

Example Question #374 : One Blank Sentences

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

At the beginning of her lecture, the professor pulled out an old __________ and read several passages in an ancient language.

Possible Answers:

tome

eulogy

volume

consensus

conflagration

Correct answer:

tome

Explanation:

A "tome" is a large book, something a professor would use to begin a lecture.

Example Question #375 : One Blank Sentences

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

Mike fell down the stairs last night and awoke the whole neighborhood with the __________ that he created.

Possible Answers:

vertigo

coercion

harangue

clamor

dolt

Correct answer:

clamor

Explanation:

Falling down the stairs and awaking the neighborhood implies that there was a lot of loud noise, and so "clamor" is the only answer choice that fits.

Example Question #376 : One Blank Sentences

Deborah has always been a(n) __________; she has always composed her music independent of tradition and popular trends.

Possible Answers:

conformist

adherent

conservative

follower

maverick

Correct answer:

maverick

Explanation:

A "maverick" is an independent, non-conformist person. A composer who does not follow past or present trends is surely a non-conformist, a maverick.

Example Question #377 : One Blank Sentences

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

The __________ waited his turn as the more experienced skydivers exited the plane.

Possible Answers:

extemporaneous

transcendent

neophyte

polyglot

unabashed

Correct answer:

neophyte

Explanation:

A "neophyte" is someone who is inexperienced in a certain field. Logically, a skydiver who waited for the more experienced to jump would be regarded as a relative novice, a neophyte.

Example Question #378 : One Blank Sentences

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

The young priest experienced great __________ at the sight of the suffering in his village.

Possible Answers:

timidity

diffidence

sobriquet

apathy

pathos

Correct answer:

pathos

Explanation:

"Pathos" means an emotion of sympathy. Certainly, a young priest would feel great sympathy at the sight of suffering in his own village.

Example Question #379 : One Blank Sentences

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

The con artist’s __________ tricked the unsuspecting widow out of her money.

Possible Answers:

honesty

legerdemain

integrity

forthrightness

scruples

Correct answer:

legerdemain

Explanation:

"Legerdemain" is slight-of-hand or a deception. A con artist would rely upon deception to steal from a widow.

Example Question #380 : One Blank Sentences

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

The husband launched into a(n) __________ against wasteful shopping, even though he had just bought an unnecessary pool table.

Possible Answers:

extemporaneous

commendation

laudation

improvisation

polemic

Correct answer:

polemic

Explanation:

A "polemic" is an aggressive argument against a specific opinion. The husband's argument against wasteful spending, though possibly reasonable, is undermined by his hypocrisy.

Example Question #1321 : Psat Critical Reading

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

The coach welcomed the new team member with __________ which reflected his interest in developing a cohesive team spirit.

Possible Answers:

aloofness

hospitality

effacement

aspersion

respite

Correct answer:

hospitality

Explanation:

Our clues in this sentence are about the coach who “welcomed” the new team member and “his interest” in developing a “cohesive team spirit” so it sounds like the coach was looking forward to adding this person to the group. We need a word that is positive.

Let’s check for clues in the answers: The word “aloof” sounds like roof, aloft, alone or along which do not seem exactly positive or welcoming. The word “respite” might remind you of words like respond, respiration, responsible which are positive words but not very related to friendly team spirit building.

“Hospitality” usually means to show people that you are welcoming them with sincere interest and words like hospice, host, and hospital relate to taking care of others so this may be our best answer but let’s keep checking. 

The word “aspersion” might sound familiar because it may remind us of aspire which means to strive toward becoming better or desiring fame. But “aspersion” also sounds and looks like asperity which means roughness in manner and this does not fit so let’s not chose aspersion.  

So “effacement” is our last answer and it may remind us of effect, effort, effective or efficiency. None of these seem related to welcoming either so let’s chose “hospitality” as our answer which does mean to welcome warmly.

Example Question #301 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

The __________ between the two professors began over minor differences, but carried on quite strongly for years.

Possible Answers:

impatience

coolness

animosity

harmony

antipathy

Correct answer:

animosity

Explanation:

While all the answer choices indicate some measure of ill feeling, only “animosity” indicates the correct seriousness.  “Antipathy” and “coolness” indicate a carelessness, while “impatience” does not have an appropriate level of seriousness. "Harmony" means the exact opposite of ill feeling.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors