SAT Critical Reading : Sentence Completion Questions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #514 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Oswald’s future allegiance to the neighboring realm was __________ on the latter’s continued deliveries of spices to his trading ports. 

Possible Answers:

considered

conditioned

decided

recalled

respected

Correct answer:

conditioned

Explanation:

The implication of the sentence is that Oswald would retain the alliance so long as the neighboring realm continued its deliveries. Such an alliance has conditions set for its continuance. Hence, one can call it “conditional” or (here) “conditioned” (e.g. if they continue deliveries, then he will remain an ally).  

Example Question #515 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

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

Although the three companies were often in fierce competition, the upcoming bid was of such a nature that they could only attempt to make an offer if they agreed to pool their resources and __________ in fulfilling the various aspects of the proposed project.

Possible Answers:

contract

ally

agree

underbid

collaborate

Correct answer:

collaborate

Explanation:

The three companies needed to work together, and while this might seem to be an alliance or agreement, it is best described as a case of “collaboration.” The word is derived from Latin roots meaning to work. Related words would be “labor,” “laborious,” and “elaborate.”

The “col-” is derived from the Latin preposition “cum,” which becomes “col-” for phonetic reasons. The preposition means “with,” so in this sentence, “collaborate” means to work with or to work together.

Example Question #561 : One Blank Sentences

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

Out of pure spite for his shift supervisor, Vernon would daily add lead to the steel mixture in order to __________ the batch of steel, making it fail its purity inspections.

Possible Answers:

sabotage

destroy

ruin

mar

adulterate

Correct answer:

adulterate

Explanation:

We tend to think of the word “adulterate” as though it were directly linked to “adultery.”  While the latter does imply impurity, this usage is secondary to the sense of making impure, which is the primary meaning of the word’s Latin root; therefore, to “adulterate” is to make impure, which is the case with what Vernon is doing to the steel.

Example Question #134 : Verbs In One Blank Sentences

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

After thirteen years of resisting Patricia’s hints about possible marriage, John finally __________ to her desires and proposed to marry her.

Possible Answers:

scaled

responded

seized

capitulated

reacted

Correct answer:

capitulated

Explanation:

The key thing to note is that John finally “gives in.” The word “capitulate” comes from early French words that are ultimately related to the Latin for head, because legal documents for ending a conflict (giving in) would be arranged under headings.

Example Question #1972 : Sat Critical Reading

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

After presenting a number of defensive responses to his critic, the speaker surprisingly __________ several points as accurately noting shortcomings in his work.

Possible Answers:

ignored

overlooked

conceded

endured

tolerated

Correct answer:

conceded

Explanation:

When one concedes something, he or she recognizes that it a disputed point, once held, was indeed wrong. Here, the speaker’s concession is implied by the surprising nature of the concession (after defensive responses). The word is related to other words with “-cess-,” “-cede-,” and “-ceed” in them, derived from a Latin root meaning “to yield or depart,” such as “success,” “succeed,” “proceed,” and “precede.”

Example Question #1973 : Sat Critical Reading

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

Since the injury would not stop bleeding, the medical crew made it their first priority to work on forcing the blood to __________ and stop the rather watery flow.

Possible Answers:

compress

cease

coagulate

bind

terminate

Correct answer:

coagulate

Explanation:

The contrast between the needed word and “watery flow” indicates that “coagulate” is the best choice. This word means to become more solid (from being liquid) and is often applied to blood and its process of clotting, though it does have a more general meaning. Although the word has close roots in the Latin for “curdling” (certainly a thickening process), it more literally means “to drive together” in the sense of pulling together the particles into a more solid formation. The “drive” portion is found in the “-ag-” of the word, which is related to words like “agent,” “agenda,” “act,” and many, many other English words. The prefix “co-” means “with,” as in “coworker.”

Example Question #1974 : Sat Critical Reading

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

In addition to its many requirements, the position of president __________ to its holder a number of prerogatives in the community, such as the honor to leading parades as well as full access to a number of public buildings.

Possible Answers:

commended

rewarded

conferred

returned

compensated

Correct answer:

conferred

Explanation:

There is no sense of compensation or reward in the claim of “prerogatives,” merely being given or granted something. This is the meaning of “conferred,” which merely means to grant something to another. The “con-” prefix means “with” and the “-fer” means “to bear or carry” and is found in many words like “transfer,” “suffer,” and “infer.” Something “conferred” thus “comes with” the act of conferring.

Example Question #138 : Verbs In One Blank Sentences

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

Although Rathbert did little to help his alma mater during his lifetime, his estate generously __________ the college with a lectureship to bring in the world’s most renowned to the small institution annually.

Possible Answers:

exalted

enhanced

recognized

endowed

improved

Correct answer:

endowed

Explanation:

To “endow” can mean to establish some institution with funds to continue to fund it. This is clearly the case here, where the college is thus enabled by the donation to have a lectureship happen annually.

Example Question #1971 : Sat Critical Reading

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

In the alleyways of Paris, Siger would __________ Master Thomas, hoping to discredit him and gain his students in response.

Possible Answers:

assault

assail

berate

traduce

mock

Correct answer:

traduce

Explanation:

The key thing to be noted here is that Siger desired to discredit Master Thomas. To “traduce” someone is either to speak ill of them or to tell lies regarding them in order to ruin their reputation. The “-duce” portion of the word comes from “to lead” in Latin and has related English words like “duke,” “conduct,” and “seduce.”  The “tra-” is a shortened form of “trans,” meaning across. To “traduce” literally means (by its parts, at least) to lead (details / lies) about someone in front / across the vision of others.

Example Question #1975 : Sat Critical Reading

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

Although he did not at all understand the lecturer’s words, Zack was still able to pay attention to the talk, as he was utterly __________ by the rhetorical force of the man’s arguments.

Possible Answers:

flummoxed

surprised

bewildered

captivated

perplexed

Correct answer:

captivated

Explanation:

Since Zack was able to pay attention to the talk, we could say that his attention had been “captured.” Something that is “captivating” does just that, taking one in and holding his or her interest. The words are clearly related and have a great number of other related “-cap-” and “-cep-” words such as “captor,” “caption,” “reception,” “accept,” and so forth.

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