All SAT Critical Reading Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2597 : Sat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The experience of extreme suffering almost always leaves a(n) __________ effect on the hearts of those who undergo such __________ experiences.
lilting . . . amazing
reductive . . . heinous
destructive . . . questionable
indelible . . . traumatic
nugatory . . . extreme
indelible . . . traumatic
The best way to begin this question is to look at the second blank first. These experiences are not well called “questionable” or “amazing.” Now, “extreme” and “heinous” seem appropriate. However, “nugatory” means unimportant, and “reductive” is clearly not a good option. The paring “indelible . . . traumatic” works well. “Indelible” means unable to be removed.” Based on its roots, the word literally means "non-deletable" (if such a word existed). Such traumatic experiences would leave the person so changed, so this is not a bad option for this sentence.
Example Question #14 : Two Adjectives Or Adverbs In Two Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After he inherited money, most of the young man’s relatives feared he would spend all of it on superficial outings in the large city in which he lived. However, they did not realize that his __________ life was actually __________, without much social contact.
urban . . . reclusive
daily . . . simple
quotidian . . . repetitive
accustomed . . . unbecoming
tedious . . . lonely
urban . . . reclusive
The key here is that the young man lives in a city and that his life apparently is without social contact. The best choice is therefore “urban . . . reclusive.” “Urban” is rather familiar, deriving from Latin for city. “Reclusive” means living outside of regular society in isolation. It is ultimately derived from the Latin claudere, which means “to close up.” Forms of claudere (and related words) change the “d” to an “s.” (There are other changes internally as well). This leads to many derived words, such as “seclusion,” “occlusion,” “include,” and “inclusion.”
Example Question #1343 : Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although the young professor seemed detached and focused on __________ affairs, he truly was a lust-filled, __________ man in his private life.
intellectual . . . carnal
unimportant . . . mundane
academic . . . mechanical
ethereal . . . irascible
distant . . . normal
intellectual . . . carnal
Probably the best way to begin eliminating answers to this question is to note the parallel between the second blank and “lust-filled.” The best match for this would be “carnal,” which implies a tie to “fleshy” or “sensuous” matters.
It is derived from the Latin carnis, meaning meat or flesh. (A related word is “carnivore”—one who eats flesh or meat). The term “intellectual” fits well enough into the first blank, capturing the opposition implied by the sentence structure.
Example Question #91 : Two Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
In the dead night of the new moon, the small electric lamp was the only __________ point on the otherwise __________ city street.
modern . . . outmoded
lucent . . . tenebrous
noticeable . . . imperceptible
referable . . . confused
secure . . . dangerous
lucent . . . tenebrous
The sentence hints at the use of “light” imagery in the introductory prepositional phrase. While the other options might fit, given this implied light imagery. “Lucent” and “tenebrous” fit this well. “Lucent” means giving off light and is derived from the Latin lux which often is found in related forms containing “luc-,” such as “translucent” and the name “Lucifer,” which means “light-bearer.”
“Tenebrous” is perhaps more unknown and means “dark.” It is derived from Latin words that are close in meaning to this and is reflected in the Christian ceremonies of “Tenebrae” celebrated during Holy Week before Easter, because these celebrations are traditionally tied to the old monastic nightly vigils and morning prayer, much of which would have been prayed in the dark (particularly the vigils).
Example Question #91 : Two Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Since Thomas was raised in a very unstable household, he was not particularly __________ with regard to authority, for in his youth he often had to question the motives of his __________ parents.
thoughtful . . . abusive
gregarious . . . rash
submissive . . . inconsistent
agreeable . . . belligerent
sanctimonious . . . narcissistic
submissive . . . inconsistent
The easier blank to discern is the second. Since the household was “unstable,” all we can say is that the parents were either “inconsistent” or perhaps “rash.” The other options are not necessarily implied by the context; however, “gregarious” means sociable, which doesn’t make sense in this context. “Submissive” is much better, for it means ready to conform to authority—something that Thomas would not be ready to do, given the details of the rest of the sentence.
Example Question #92 : Two Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Out of fear of governmental retribution, a number of __________ authors chose to write __________ instead of exposing their own names and persons.
seditious . . . pseudonymously
secretive . . . tractates
frightened . . . quietly
silent . . . little
underhanded . . . explosively
seditious . . . pseudonymously
Since the authors fear retribution, it is quite likely that they are doing something that is contrary to the wishes of the government; therefore, they could be called “seditious,” which means to work to encourage rebellious activity against authorities. If such persons fear retribution, it makes sense that they would write in a secretive manner. To write “pseudonymously” is to do so under a false (pseudo) name. Although it takes a bit of thinking the “-nym-” can be seen in its relationship to “name.” The prefix “pseudo-” means either “false” or (less strongly) “resembling.”
Example Question #327 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Surprisingly, after John had won the large lottery jackpot, he remained as __________ as before even though he needed to accumulate no more money even to live a significantly __________ lifestyle.
taxed . . . overweening
cultured . . . magnanimous
vindictive . . . decadent
rapacious . . . lavish
greedy . . . pusillanimous
rapacious . . . lavish
The implication of the sentence is that John remained greedy after the lottery, feeling the need to accumulate money, although he did not need to do so. Such a person is called “rapacious,” a word related to the English word “rapt,” which means “having one’s attention utterly taken. The sense of “taken” (or, more distantly, “grabbing”) comes from the Latin base shared between “rapt” and “rapacious.” Someone who is rapacious is one who is constantly “grabbing” after more money or physical goods. A lavish lifestyle is one that is very luxurious. It is derived from the Latin word that gives us “lavatory,” originally meaning “wash room.” Someone who lives a lavish lifestyle is—so to speak—showered with goods.
Example Question #2291 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Students who took the course spent hours upon hours at the library, as the workload was very __________ and the professor was extremely __________ with her grading.
rigorous . . . stringent
vindictive . . . reconciling
erratic . . . futile
demanding . . . beneficial
obstinate . . . inevitable
rigorous . . . stringent
It can be assumed that the class being discussed in the sentence involves a lot of work based on the start of the sentence, so "demanding" and "rigorous" are the options which make the most sense as choices for the first blank. "Beneficial" means easy and "stringent" means strict, though, so "rigorous . . . stringent" is the correct answer.
Example Question #2292 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Surprisingly, the __________ boxer was a __________ challenge for his much larger opponent.
capacious . . . terrible
exhorbitant . . . fallacious
diminutive . . . formidable
tiny . . . minor
immense . . . redoubtable
diminutive . . . formidable
"Diminutive" means small in physical stature, while "formidable" means daunting and menacing. Were a small fighter to be a fear-inspiring challenge for a much larger opponent, it would be surprising.
Example Question #2293 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The president __________ media criticism for his __________ decision to support the popular legislation.
cultivated . . . holistic
obtained . . . magnanimous
contracted . . . selfless
incurred . . . expedient
eschewed . . . nefarious
incurred . . . expedient
"Incurred" means receive something bad, like a penalty, while "expedient" means benefitting oneself but done out of self-interest. The president brought upon himself the media's criticism for having supported popular legislation in the service of himself.