Conjunctions and Sentence Logic in One-Blank Sentences

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PSAT Critical Reading › Conjunctions and Sentence Logic in One-Blank Sentences

Questions 1 - 10
1

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.

animus

pettiness

disgust

machinating

conspiring

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.”

2

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

Laura had a personality quite different from that of her husband, who often was __________ from the very dramatic social situations in which she wanted to be involved.

aloof

vexed

perturbed

saddened

morose

Explanation

Since the two personalities are opposed, it is necessary to think of an opposite for Laura’s troublesome drama. While this might be annoying to her husband, the key is to choose the word most opposed to this dramatic persona. That would be “aloof,” not any of the others.

3

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.

saccharine

immature

puerile

nagging

carping

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.

4

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

Many of Francis’ college friends were amazed that he had settled down in a monogamous, married relationship, as he had been quite a __________ when they knew him in college.

philanderer

chauvinist

partier

layabout

drinker

Explanation

By looking at the contrast established in this sentence, we can say that Francis must have been something of a womanizer or rather promiscuous during his college days. Such a person is called a “philanderer,” a term almost always applied to men.

This is in because of its literal meaning, “man of (many) love(s)” from “phil+anderer.” The “phil-” portion is found in words like “philosophy,” which means “love of wisdom,” and “Philadelphia,” “(the city of) brotherly love.” The second half comes from the Greek word for man and is found in English words like “android,” and “polyandry” (meaning “having many husbands”).

5

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

The office was expecting an easygoing new boss, so the employees were surprised to find that their new manager had an extremely __________ manner.

abrasive

ebullient

gregarious

affable

placid

Explanation

The structure of the sentence, and the employees' surprise, indicates the new manager was not easygoing. The correct answer choice will be the one that is an antonym of "easygoing." "Abrasive," meaning harsh and coarse, is the only such answer choice.

6

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

In comparison with the inability of theoretical mathematicians to influence industry, the work being done in astrophysics has been especially __________ in bringing forth many practical, technological advances.

efficacious

overbearing

focused

appreciated

lauded

Explanation

The implication here is that the work of astrophysicists has been more capable and effective in bringing forth practical advances (in comparison with theoretical mathematicians). When one can bring forth results in an effective manner, such a person (or institution) is unsurprisingly called “efficacious.” This word has many relatives, as might be surmised, such as “efficient,” “effect,” and “efficacy.”

7

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

Although many ancient cultures envisioned their deities as though they had bodies, some groups concluded that such beings must instead be __________.

incorporeal

invisible

hidden

celestial

extraterrestrial

Explanation

The contrast here is with the word “bodies” in the first phrase, so do not go any further than that meaning if possible. While “invisible” and “hidden” are tempting options, “incorporeal” most directly answers to the need in this regard. It means not having a body. In this word, the prefix “in-” is a negative prefix meaning “not,” and the “-corporeal” portion is derived from the Latin for body. It is related to other words such as “corpulent,” “corpse,” and “incorporation.”

8

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

Timothy had a noticeably __________ response to what his friend had thought would be considered exciting news.

tepid

ebullient

exasperated

distraught

agitated

Explanation

The contrast here is between excitement and what must be a rather detached and disinterested response from Timothy. When liquid is barely warm, it is said to be “tepid.” By extension, this becomes applied to persons to say that they are “lukewarm” or that they show little interest or passion for a given thing or things.

9

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

In comparison with his rather svelte siblings, Tilghman’s __________ form struck a significant visual contrast.

corpulent

gangly

extruded

sizeable

grandiose

Explanation

The contrast in this sentence is between Tilghman’s “svelt” siblings and himself. If someone is “svelt,” he or she is slender; therefore, if he is not svelt, Tilghman must be fat or “corpulent,” which means the same.

The word is derived from an almost identical Latin root that means the same and is more distantly derived from the Latin for “body” found in words like “corpse,” “incorporation,” and “corporeal.”

10

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

The young man loved to hear people make __________ statements, for these gave him a chance to show them their amusing imprecision.

vague

imprudent

fatuous

egregious

rustic

Explanation

The key word here is “imprecision.” The “im-” prefix is privative, meaning not. Something "imprecise" is hazy or vague. While it might be tempting to think that the young man liked showing that people were stupid (i.e. "fatuous") or even "rustic" or "imprudent," the best option is the one most closely matching “imprecision,” and that option is “vague.”

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