All SAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #313 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The movie star's personal life was a matter of __________, as the media had not been able to find out any more details about his relationship.
avocation
postulation
disclosure
revelation
inquiry
postulation
"Conjecture" is speculation or hypotheses based on unknown data. "Inquiry" suggests data-gathering, while both "revelation" and "disclosure" imply a hidden knowledge that is made manifest. "Avocation" relates to the pursuit of hobbies.
Example Question #1809 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The decision to declare war should not be seen as __________, as it requires great bravery to maintain peace.
cowardice
intelligence
pacification
intrepidity
ignobility
intrepidity
The sentence's context suggests that a synonym of "bravery" is needed for the blank. "Intrepidity" and "cowardice" are the only two which refer to courage and confrontation of fear, yet cowardice is the antonym of bravery. "Ignobility" could fit grammatically, but also provides an opposite of courage. Both "intelligence" and "pacification," although they could both relate to war, have no relation to bravery in this context.
Example Question #291 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ of Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey eventually fell apart when Caesar made an audacious bid to rule on his own.
consecration
triumvirate
fidelity
mitigation
rhetoric
triumvirate
From the context of this question you know that the blank is describing the collection of three individuals (Caesar, Crassus and Pompey). You also can infer that it relates to ruling or authority because the second part of the sentence describes Caesar’s attempt to rule on his own. Consecration means the process of making something holy or sacred; mitigation means to make an offense excusable or to interfere in something for the purposes of resolving a dispute; fidelity refers to loyalty or sexual faithfulness; rhetoric describes a persuasive speech or argument. Of the five answer choices triumvirate is the best answer, it means a committee of three ruling men.
Example Question #301 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
His laid-back demeanor indicated a definite __________ toward his emloyees' problems.
anger
antagonism
hatred
ambivalence
excitement
ambivalence
The key phrase in the sentence is "laid-back demeanor." The correct answer choice will reflect the "laid-back" approach. Only "ambivalence," which means state of being undecided and not caring, has the appropriate connotation in the sentence.
Example Question #302 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The principal separated out the student he felt was the __________ of all the recent trouble at the school.
bystander
instigator
passerby
follower
hermit
instigator
The principal, in his authoritarian capacity, would be trying to calm down troubles at the school. The person the principal is locating is the "ringleader" or cause of the trouble, ruling out "passerby," "bystander," "follower," and "hermit." The correct answer choice, "instigator," means person who started something.
Example Question #1814 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After years of studying the ancient texts the __________ was able to finally decipher their meaning.
biologist
chemist
linguist
architect
elitist
linguist
"Linguists" study languages (notice the similarity in the words). In this case, we are looking for a type of person who would work with old languages, so this fits perfectly.
Example Question #484 : One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The couple didn't like the food at the restaurant very much, but nonetheless frequented it merely due to its __________ to their apartment.
atmosphere
appearance
proximity
displacement
taste
proximity
"Proximity" means simply nearness to something. Here, we are given contextual clues that tell us that their restaurant choice had something to do with their apartment. All the answers would be reasons to choose the place, but "proximity" is the only one that has to do with their apartment.
Example Question #321 : Nouns In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The garden slowly evolved into a state of chaos thanks to her __________.
diligence
aptitude
skill
fervor
negligence
negligence
"Negligence" is a noun which means act of choosing not to (neglecting to) do something. Here, it is clear that not tending the garden is what has led it to become chaotic.
Example Question #1815 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
In an incredible case of __________, the general's scouts happened upon the enemy's battle plans in a pair of boots found near the opposing camp.
spontaneity
temerity
adversity
mischance
serendipity
serendipity
The correct answer will point out the incredible bout of good fortune that allowed the general's scouts to find the plans, something that wasn't planned at all. The incorrect answers will either misinterpret the episode as a case of bad luck ("mischance"), poor circumstances ("adversity"), or a failure to address the topic at hand ("temerity"). "Spontaneity" comes close by referring to the seeming randomness of the event, but is not as good of a fit as "serendipity."
Example Question #1816 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The girl's fear of the dark made bringing a flashlight with her when trick-or-treating an absolute __________.
suggestion
necessity
observance
obstacle
tangent
suggestion
Since the girl is afraid of the dark, it would be very important to bring a flashlight on Halloween. This importance is stressed by the sentence's use of "absolute." The only answer choice that conveys this sense of importance is "necessity," making it the correct answer.