All PSAT Critical Reading Resources
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.
penury
fidelity
reporting
servitude
drudgery
fidelity
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.
attempts
trials
mimesis
questioning
vision
mimesis
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.
celebration
abasement
indifference
ambivalence
pride
abasement
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.
dissent
skepticism
integration
contempt
duplicitousness
contempt
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.
antagonist
aesthetic
pacifist
tyrant
benefactor
benefactor
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.
tolerance
anachronism
vindictiveness
antagonism
complacency
anachronism
"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。
tenacity
vindication
haughtiness
reticence
ascendancy
tenacity
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.
broadside
obituary
antagonism
anthology
soufflé
anthology
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.
bravado
redundance
childishness
banter
propriety
banter
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__________.
apathy
altruism
malediction
benevolence
alacrity
alacrity
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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