SAT Critical Reading : Sentence Completion Questions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

The unlabelled milk proved to be so __________ that I had a stomachache for the rest of the day after cleaning out the refrigerator.

Possible Answers:

monstrous

noxious 

counterfeit

unsatisfactory

knotty

Correct answer:

noxious 

Explanation:

The answer is "noxious" since the subject of the sentence got a stomachache after coming in contact with the "harmful and toxic" milk.

Example Question #701 : Sentence Completion Questions

The colors were faded, the performers seemed tired, and the music played on a repetitive loop; on the whole, it was a rather __________ performance.

Possible Answers:

feasible 

fastidious

lackluster

lucrative

pretentious

Correct answer:

lackluster

Explanation:

Lackluster is correct because it means dull or lacking in brilliance. We know from the first part of the sentence that the blank should contain a negative adjective, so feasible and lucrative don't work. Pretentious describes something or someone who wants to be regarded as impressive, and fastidious describes a person who is careful and meticulous. Neither describe a falling-apart performance.

Example Question #702 : Sentence Completion Questions

Harry tried to blend in with the crowd, but he had forgotten about the bright pink bow on his head, which made him look particularly __________.

Possible Answers:

impervious

fanatic

conspicuous

enthused

conciliatory

Correct answer:

conspicuous

Explanation:

Conspicuous is the correct answer because it means to stand out or be more visible. Enthused or fanatic are other adjectives that might fit wearing a bright pink bow, but the conspicuous contrasts well with how he "tried to blend in with the crowd."

Example Question #64 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

"Oh, but I liked young Harry," exclaimed Sue's grandmother. "He was so charming and __________!"

Possible Answers:

valuable

volatile

solid

winsome

brusque

Correct answer:

winsome

Explanation:

Winsome is correct because it means attractive or handsome. We know it has to be something that is positive because it is paired with "charming." Brusque and volatile are both negative adjectives and can be eliminated.

Example Question #31 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

His mother said dismissively that the film was full of __________ violence, but Fred liked all the blood and gore.

Possible Answers:

gruesome

bewitching

shrewd

gratuitous

captivating

Correct answer:

gratuitous

Explanation:

Because of the "but" in the sentence, we know that the mother's opinion of the violence should contrast with Fred's. Since Fred liked it, the mother didn't, and the blank calls for a negative adjective. Gruesome and gratuitous are the options we have left. We can eliminate gruesome because it is not often that someone speaks "dismissively" of something that grosses them out. Gratuitous works best because it means uncalled for or unjustified.

Example Question #32 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

The __________ soccer player returned to training after her third ACL surgery and difficult recovery.

Possible Answers:

opulent

impetuous 

tenacious

wary

restrained

Correct answer:

tenacious

Explanation:

Since this was her third surgery, the soccer player must be stubbornly persistent, or "tenacious" in returning to training once again after a difficult recovery.

Example Question #33 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Many actors spend their entire lives chasing after the __________ high that is associated with being onstage in front of an audience.

Possible Answers:

jubilant

frugal

divergent

ephemeral 

exemplary

Correct answer:

ephemeral 

Explanation:

"Ephemeral" works best here since a high is a temporary rush of euphoric emotions, which can only last so long before disappearing, making it temporary.

Example Question #28 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

The college freshman considered her dorm room very __________ after sharing a room with her three sisters all her life.

Possible Answers:

arid

florid

capacious

frugal

enervating

Correct answer:

capacious

Explanation:

Because she had shared a room with her three sisters all her life, she was probably accustomed to a cramped and small living space. Thus, the dorm room must seem very large, or "capacious," to her.

Example Question #29 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Once a boring part of town life, the town meeting was now __________ with tension after the high school controversy.

Possible Answers:

reclusive

fraught

prosaic

 

provacative

mundane

Correct answer:

fraught

Explanation:

The best answer is "fraught," which means "filled with," and captures the transformation of the town meeting from boredom to tension.

Example Question #71 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

The seemingly __________ puppy never tired, even after several vigorous hours of play.

Possible Answers:

uninhibited 

heretical

indefatigable 

volatile

satirical 

Correct answer:

indefatigable 

Explanation:

"Indefatigable" means incapable of being tired out, or never tired.

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