PSAT Critical Reading : Parts of Speech in One-Blank Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 :Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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

The employee was never the most efficient worker, but his many years of unwavering__________to the firm made him one of the most trusted advisors even to the chief executive.

Possible Answers:

penury

fidelity

reporting

servitude

drudgery

Correct answer:

fidelity

Explanation:

In order to be trusted by a firm, one would have to show great devotion to the firm—particularly in the case of such a worker that is perhaps not the most efficient. Such devotion could be termed “fidelity,” a word derived from the Latin "fides" (and related words), meaningtrustor (particularly later)faith. A related English word is "fideism" (the religious belief that knowledge relies solely on faith), and the motto of the U.S. Marines, “semper fidelis,” comes directly from the Latin foralways faithful.

Example Question #2 :Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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

Children often learn by__________, repeating their parents’ actions long before they understand the meaning of the gestures and acts.

Possible Answers:

attempts

trials

mimesis

questioning

vision

Correct answer:

mimesis

Explanation:

Although a number of options might be tempting, the emphasis of the sentence is merely on the fact that the children will repeat the actions of their parents. It does not necessarily say anything about multiple trials or the mode by which the learning occurs. In general, “mimesis” meansimitation. It is derived from Greek roots that are likewise reflected in words like “mime” and “mimic.”

Example Question #3 :Nouns In One Blank Sentences

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

The___________he suffered after falling down the main steps made him hesitant to go back to school.

Possible Answers:

celebration

abasement

indifference

ambivalence

pride

Correct answer:

abasement

Explanation:

Both the event, falling down stairs, and the result of it, wanting not to go to school, indicate the boy was extremely embarrassed. The correct answer choice, therefore, will have a meaning ofshameorembarrassment, which is the definition of "abasement." "Indifference" and "ambivalence" both have a sense of a lack of caring, while "pride" and "celebration" are both too positive.

Example Question #141 :Sentence Completion Questions

Choose the option which best completes the following sentence.

The coach liked it when his team played away games, because the__________of the opposing fans was much better at motivating his players than the adoration of the hometown crowd.

Possible Answers:

dissent

skepticism

integration

contempt

duplicitousness

Correct answer:

contempt

Explanation:

The contextual clues tell us that the feelings of the away fans are going to be the opposite of the home fans, and the home fans "adore" the team. "Contempt" is synonymous withhatred, so it is the best choice.

Example Question #142 :Sentence Completion Questions

Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

The orphan never learned the identity of the kind__________who funded his college education.

Possible Answers:

antagonist

aesthetic

pacifist

tyrant

benefactor

Correct answer:

benefactor

Explanation:

The definition of "benefactor" issomeone who gives a gift, often a sum of money. This is what happened to the orphan in this sentence, so "benefactor" is the correct answer.

Example Question #143 :Sentence Completion Questions

Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

The movie was set in the eighteenth century, but it has a terrible__________when an actor's cell phone is clearly visible in one scene.

Possible Answers:

tolerance

anachronism

vindictiveness

antagonism

complacency

Correct answer:

anachronism

Explanation:

"Anachronism" meansthe representation of something as existing or happening in the wrong time period, and a cell phone in the eighteenth century is clearly misplaced. To break the word down into its roots, "ana" meanswrongand "chronos" meanstime, so this word literally means "wrong time."

Example Question #144 :Sentence Completion Questions

The high school teacher talked to her students about the importance of__________在实现自己的梦想。

Possible Answers:

tenacity

vindication

haughtiness

reticence

ascendancy

Correct answer:

tenacity

Explanation:

In order to succeed in their endeavors, students must be determined.Thus, a student must havetenacityor perseverance.

Example Question #145 :Sentence Completion Questions

The essay was one of many fascinating works in a(n) __________ edited by her favorite author.

Possible Answers:

broadside

obituary

antagonism

anthology

soufflé

Correct answer:

anthology

Explanation:

Ananthologyis a published collection of shorter pieces of writing, such as essays. While obituaries and broadsides are also published written works, they do not contain a collection of essays.

Example Question #146 :Sentence Completion Questions

Harry couldn't keep up with their quick __________; they joked and teased each other constantly.

Possible Answers:

bravado

redundance

childishness

banter

propriety

Correct answer:

banter

Explanation:

Banteris correct because it means to speak playfully or wittily. Joking and teasing (especially when it is quick and witty) can be described as banter.

Example Question #101 :One Blank Sentences

John reluctantly sat down to complete his math homework; Emma, on the other hand, jumped into her chair and attacked the problem sets with__________.

Possible Answers:

apathy

altruism

malediction

benevolence

alacrity

Correct answer:

alacrity

Explanation:

The second half of the sentence contrasts with the first, as we can tell by “on the other hand.” This means that the word in the blank should mean the opposite of reluctance and grudge. The correct answer is “alacrity,” which meanscheerful willingness.

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