SAT Critical Reading : Sentence Completion Questions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #33 : Context Clues In One Blank Sentences

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

William, whose outlook on life was particularly dour, was easily annoyed by the opposite, __________ temperament of his roommate.

Possible Answers:

nagging

carping

puerile

immature

saccharine

Correct answer:

saccharine

Explanation:

Someone who is “saccharine” is excessively sentimental or sweet. It comes from the Latin word for sugar, and in modern times the manufactured substance called “saccharin” has been used as a substitute for sugar.

Example Question #33 : Context Clues In One Blank Sentences

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

Although Mark seemed to enjoy himself most when he was out of the house and at work, his true satisfaction was experienced at home, attending to __________ matters.

Possible Answers:

foreign

domestic

quotidian

happy

tedious

Correct answer:

domestic

Explanation:

The sentence’s focus on “matters of the house and home” gives the key to finding the correct term.  The word “domestic” means “relating to the house.”  It is derived from the Latin “domus,” which means “house” and has related words such as “domicile” and “domesticate.”   The term is often used in discussing the affairs of a country, where matters within the borders of the country are referred to as “domestic” as opposed to those that are foreign.

Example Question #73 : Sentence Completion Questions

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

Although Leslie believed that her opinions were grounded on indisputable facts, found in reality, there were significantly influenced by her own __________ interests and dispositions.

Possible Answers:

exaggerated

erroneous

misinformed

subjective

questionable

Correct answer:

subjective

Explanation:

The implied opposition in this sentence is made between the word to be chosen as an answer and the notion of objective facts, grounded outside of Leslie’s own biases and interests. Something is said to be “subjective” when it is related only to a given person’s perspective (wants, desires, or merely his or her knowledge and frame of reference).

Example Question #74 : Sentence Completion Questions

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

Ever confident and ready to speak of her abilities, Eva was not known for being __________ when complimented by others.

Possible Answers:

diffident

unbiased

detached

impartial

speechless

Correct answer:

diffident

Explanation:

When someone is “diffident,” he or she is shy or modest because of a deficiency in self-confidence. Since the sentence indicates that Eva was both confident and ready to speak of her abilities, we can say that she truly would not be known for diffidence. The word comes from root words in Latin literally means “to lack faith in one’s self.” The “-fident” portion of the word is the “faith” or “trust” portion, related to words like “confident,” “fidelity,” and “infidel.”

Example Question #75 : Sentence Completion Questions

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

Although Rufus normally expatiated greatly in his writing, when need pressed him, he was able to express himself relatively __________.

Possible Answers:

clearly

succinctly

grandiosely

comprehensibly

thoroughly

Correct answer:

succinctly

Explanation:

The key word to note is “expatiated,” to which the needed word will be opposed. When one “expatiates,” he or she discusses something in great detail (implying that it is done for quite some length of time or space). The word “succinctly,” meaning “expressed in a brief manner,” provides the best contrast to this word. It is derived from root words related to the notion of “encircling” such as “cincture.”

Example Question #31 : Context Clues In One Blank Sentences

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

Laura was not known for using understated examples to argue her viewpoint but instead would often employ __________ expressions in order to stress her personal opinion.

Possible Answers:

dominant

incomparable

supreme

questionable

hyperbolic

Correct answer:

hyperbolic

Explanation:

The answer to this question needs to be contrasted to “understated examples.” When something is “understated,” it is expressed either in a manner that presents it as less important than it is or perhaps in a way that is somewhat subtle and measured. In contrast to understatement, “hyperbole” is the overstatement of some topic. The “hyper-” portion means “over,” as is found in a word like “hyperactive.” The “-bolic” or “-bole” portion of the word comes from the Greek “to throw,” a word reflected in the words “ball” as well as “ballistics.” In a certain literal sense, “hyperbole” is a case of “throwing” a meaning “overtop” its appropriate scope or usage.

Example Question #32 : Context Clues In One Blank Sentences

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

Although George had been assured that the snipe was merely an __________ animal, he was beginning to guess that it was not merely difficult to catch, but that it was a nonexistent fable.

Possible Answers:

irregular

uncertain

unsteady

underground

elusive

Correct answer:

elusive

Explanation:

The key phrase in this sentence is “not merely difficult to catch,” as this indicates that the snipe must have been described as being difficult to capture. Something of this type is known as being “elusive,” a word derived from Latin roots literally meaning “to play away from,” though it takes more nuanced forms in English. It is related to words like “elude,” “illusion”, and even “prelude.”

Example Question #78 : Sentence Completion Questions

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

When they were first married, Brenna found Nick’s comments on the news to be perceptive, but now after years of marriage, his well-worn, superficial observations were nothing but __________ observances to her.

Possible Answers:

repetitive

inane

hidebound

provincial

localized

Correct answer:

inane

Explanation:

Probably the most tempting wrong answer for this question is “repetitive,” for Nick’s comments are “well-worn;” however, since they are also “superficial,” the word “inane” does the best job at capturing both descriptions. Although it means “stupid” or “silly,” these meanings should not be stressed to harshly. Often, one speaks of “inane questions,” implying that they are ridiculously unnecessary and obvious. This sense matches well Nick’s comments.

Example Question #41 : Sentence Completion

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

Although Odo had rarely expressed any dislike for any of his academic adversaries, he showed a surprising amount of __________ against Severinus when he wrote his latest book.

Possible Answers:

machinating

pettiness

conspiring

disgust

animus

Correct answer:

animus

Explanation:

The contrast here is between the rarity of Odo showing any dislike and a recent case that differed from this normal practice. When someone shows “animus,” he or she is said to show ill will or hostility. The word comes from the Latin for “soul” or “mind” as found in words like “animal” and “animated.”

Example Question #41 : One Blank Sentences

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

After decades of physically-mobile work, inspecting the corporation’s vast field operations, Edward found it quite difficult to adjust to the __________ work in an office cubicle.

Possible Answers:

tedious

sedentary

boring

automated

lax

Correct answer:

sedentary

Explanation:

The contrast that should be noted is that between the needed word and the fact that Edward’s former work was “physically-mobile.” In comparison with such work, his new work was “sedentary,” meaning that it was done while sitting. None of the other options captures the contrast as well as this option. The word “sedentary” is related to other “sitting” words such as “reside”, “preside,” “sedate,” and “resident.”

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