Critical Reading

Sentence Completion Strategies

Sentence Completion Questions Test Two Main Attributes:

The strength of your vocabulary. Your general verbal ability,

especially your ability to understand the logic of sentences.

Preparation

To improve your verbal ability, read as widely as you can and look up words you do not recognize. Read anything: newspapers, articles,

articulate blogs, short stories…just keep reading!

Preparation

Latin and Greek Roots https://www.msu.edu/~defores1/gre/roo

ts/gre_rts_afx2.htm There are many websites like the link

above that list common prefixes, suffixes, and root words. Study them; they will help you figure out words you don’t know!

acer means “bitter,” “sour”, or “sharp” Even the acerbic old woman smiled when

children came to visit her in the nursing home.

What do you think acerbic means?

Answer:

a⋅cer⋅bicəˈsɜr bɪk/ [uh-sur-bik]–adjective 1.sour or astringent in taste:

Lemon juice is acerbic. 2.harsh or severe, as of temper or

expression: acerbic criticism.

Preparation (continued) SAT Words Hot List

http://nccsc.k12.in.us/hsmedia/hot_words_SAT.htm

You can find these lists online or in any SAT prep book.

This site groups the words by definition. I suggest you group the words in some way

yourself, maybe even alphabetically, and work on them a chunk at a time.

Flash cards are the bomb!

Preparation

Quizlet even has SAT words!

http://quizlet.com/207969/100-most-common-sat-words-flash-cards/

Sentence Completion Question Format

Every section of questions will be preceded by a set of directions and an example for your reference:

Directions Read the sentence Choose the word or set of words

that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence.

Sentence Completion Format

SAMPLE QUESTION:Medieval kingdoms did not become

constitutional republics overnight; on the contrary, the change was ________.

A. UnpopularB. UnexpectedC. AdvantageousD. SufficientE. Gradual

Answer:

The correct answer is (E) Gradual.

Medieval kingdoms did not become constitutional republics overnight; on the contrary, the change was gradual.

Basic Steps for Solving Sentence Completions

1. Read the sentence carefully.2. Think of a word or words that will fit

the blanks appropriately.3. Look through the five answer

choices for the word. If it’s not there, move on to the next step.

Basic Steps for Solving Sentence Completions

4. Examine the sentence for clues to the missing word.

5. Eliminate any answers choices that are ruled out by the clues.

6. Try the ones that are left and pick whichever is best.

Time to Practice our Mad Skills!

Please go to www.rachwal.wikispaces.com and go to the “SAT prep” page to find links to a few practice tests that the website will score for you!

Take at least three of the tests.Good luck!