SENTENCE COMPLETION REVIEW
Directions: Each sentence below has one or two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five lettered words or sets of words. Choose a set of words for each pair of blanks that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
1. Philosophers tell us that one’s lifetime is ______ when considered from the viewpoint of ______ making humans appear much less important than they think in the grand scheme of things.
(A) laudatory. .prestidigitation
(B) jaded. .youth
(C) ephemeral. .eternity
(D) superfluous. .transience
(E) gauche. .theology
2. The primitive emotions of love and hate, even though extreme opposites, are found in varying degrees even in the most ______ and ____ person, according to sociologists. (A) brackish. .mature (B) sylvan. .intellectual (C) celestial. .civilized (D) beneficent. .stable (E) defunct. .healthy
3. When surveying the rule of the elderly king, we could only conclude that as he neared his ______ he became a(n) ______ ruler, which was obvious by his inattention to some matters.
(A) pinnacle. .blatant
(B) dotage. .effete
(C) prime. .voluble
(D) euphony. .dissident
(E) prerogative. .covert
4. Surveying the college course guide, we could conclude that ______ is a phase of the study of ______.
(A) nihilism. .gynecology
(B) hypertension. .etymology
(C) recidivism. .criminology
(D) altruism. .paleontology
5. A refugee may be forced to ______ allegiance to his former country and ______ all of his former friends in order to work in a new country. (A) fabricate. .garble
(B) fetch. .extradite
(C) fluctuate. .expurgate
(D) abjure. .forsake
(E) lacerate. .occlude
6. Some experts think that the origin of schizophrenia is ______; others believe it is ______. (A) contiguous. .environmental (B) congenital. .environmental (C) congenital. .deleterious (D) contagious. .pathological (E) exogenous. .celestial
7. Even though we had heard that Professor Smith of the English Department taught an easy class, we knew that ______ and ______ are usually studied by those who enjoy the language.
(A) liturgy. .pantheism
(B) philology. .etymology
(C) prosody. .ubiquity
(D) tautology. .simony
(E) raillery. .verity
8. When I am ______, I am also ______, I explained to my friends who wondered at my long face.
(A) scintillating. .verbose
(B) quiescent. .succinct
(C) lugubrious. .lachrymose
(D) reviled. .providential
(E) providential. .rubicund
9. One of the things we learned in health class is that when eating, it is important to ______ thoroughly in order for proper ______ to occur. (A) rankle. .temerity
(B) mitigate. .digestion
(C) transmute. .veneration
(D) query. .progeny
(E) masticate. .digestion
10. Compelled by my professor to attend a lecture by an aging former teacher, I found the lecture was full of ______, and, as I had suspected and dreaded, it became most ______. (A) clichés. .bromidic (B) gabble. .blatant (C) foibles. .bombastic (D) histrionics. .insidious (E) metaphors. .laconic
SENTENCE COMPLETION REVIEW
59
11. After introducing two of my friends, I learned that the introduction was a disaster because her ______ immediately led her to suspect his ______ in discussing his life experiences.
(A) philology. .valiant
(B) rancor. .secular
(C) vigilance. .petulance
(D) perspicacity. .fraudulence
(E) vagary. .indolent
12. My friends were absolutely amazed when attending a religious convocation where the ______ outbursts of the congregation were ignored by the ______. (A) heretical. .indigent (B) heinous. .indolent (C) profane. .ecclesiastic (D) ebullient. .commissary (E) flagrant. .exodus
13. After ruining her dress, I would have preferred her most biting ______ to the ______ looks she directed my way.
(A) euphemisms. .consummate
(B) anodynes. .feckless
(C) diatribes. .reproachful
(D) effigies. .refulgent
(E) histrionics. .penitent
14. During the fearful storm, the people in its path ______ God for divine ______. (A) importuned. .intervention (B) imputed. .favors (C) expiated. .revelation (D) deprecated. .power (E) immortalized. .gifts
15. After studying psychology for a quarter, I can see that my friend is a ______ because he is always ______ favors from others.
(A) sycophant. .currying
(B) benediction. .eliciting
(C) brigand. .flouting
(D) facade. .brandishing
(E) tryst. .avowing
16. Many of my peers have turned to religion, realizing that the ______ in the church was a sign of ______ rather than money-hungry leaders.
(A) tithe. .redress (B) windfall. .sacrilege (C) skeptic. .predilection (D) wraith. .piety (E) schism. .sedition UNIT 2
17. After the burglarizing of my home, I overheard the detective remark to the police officer that apparently the thief had moved in a ______, ______ manner. (A) sensuous. .tangible (B) furtive. .surreptitious (C) phlegmatic. .probing (D) moribund. .menial (E) ostentatious. .patrician
18. During our commencement, the student body president delivered the ______, which had a ______ effect on the audience.
(A) martinet. .pernicious
(B) patrimony. .depraved
(C) salutatory. .bracing
(D) elixir. .blatant
(E) cudgel. .brusque
19. Returning home for vacation, I learned that my mother’s new medicine had made her extremely ______ and ______.
(A) articulate. .copious
(B) doltish. .overt
(C) autocratic. .congruent
(D) torpid. .phlegmatic
(E) ludicrous. .remiss
20. When I interviewed for a journalist’s position, I was told that often the editor was very ______; he made numerous ______.
(A) sedentary. .rifts
(B) fastidious. .emendations
(C) saline. .parables
(D) maudlin. .orifices
(E) onerous. .idylls
21. My erratic brother gives us all kinds of problems; his occasional ______ ______ are frightening to the family members.
(A) spurious. .tacks
(B) transitory. .oblations
(C) turgid. .zephyrs
(D) sporadic. .fulminations
(E) perfidious. .nosegays
22. When listening to nursery rhymes, my daughter likes the part in which the ______ witch uses a tiny doll as a ______.
(A) ductile. .missal
(B) eviscerated. .derelict
(C) exacting. .crux
(D) malevolent. .fetish
(E) doughty. .doxology
SENTENCE COMPLETION REVIEW
61
23. When my Criminal Justice class observed a courtroom proceeding, we watched while one accused was examined; the ______ heard the testimony and ______ the man to jail.
(A) iconoclast. .condoled
(B) bourgeois. .denuded
(C) doggerel. .eulogized
(D) consort. .imbibed
(E) arbiter. .remanded
24. My friend’s uncle is a member of Alcoholics Anonymous; his ______ led to an ______ liver disease. (A) dipsomania. .ineluctable (B) avarice. .auspicious (C) volition. .unctuous (D) sojourn. .audacious (E) tableau. .incipient
25. Can you believe that I won the photo contest with the ______ of the two pictures that was most ______, even though I only tried to hang them where there were nails!
(A) sophistry. .hallow
(B) juxtaposition. .esthetic
(C) trappings. .emaciated
(D) pseudonym. .facile
(E) corollary. .extraneous
26. In Biology class, we learned about animal families, so that I was able to understand that members of the ______ family are ______ and why my farmer uncle grows grass.
(A) bovine. .herbivorous
(B) anthropoid. .adamant
(C) conduit. .corpulent
(D) congenital. .incarnadine
(E) heretic. .chivalrous
27. When my sister got her first job, her novice ______ led to a ridiculous ______. (A) collusion. .consanguinity (B) synthesis. .cordovan (C) colophon. .temerity (D) ineptitude. .imbroglio (E) chauvinism. .quirk
28. In Meteorology, we learned that the ______ around the moon is a(n) ______ sign. (A) parody. .audacious (B) oblation. .heretic (C) hiatus. .onerous (D) corona. .auspicious (E) dregs. .organic UNIT 2
29. During the time of Teddy Roosevelt, soldiers in battle might see the ______ troop appear over the ______.
(A) equestrian. .butte
(B) albino. .heyday
(C) exorbitant. .pendant
(D) diabolic. .ventricle
(E) incendiary. .rhesus
30. After a year of hard work in the metropolitan rush, as a relief from ______ pressures, many plan to ______ on their vacation.
(A) inveterate. .pique
(B) urban. .rusticate
(C) pent. .prate
(D) neolithic. .venerate
(E) laconic. .slake
SENTENCE COMPLETION REVIEW
63
Quick Score Answers
1. C 2. D 3. B 4. C 5. D 6. B 7. B 8. C 9. E 10. A 11. D 12. C 13. C 14. A 15. A 16. A 17. B 18. C 19. D 20. B 21. D 22. D 23. E 24. A 25. B 26. A 27. D 28. D 29. A 30. BANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
S
ENTENCEC
OMPLETIONR
EVIEW1. The correct answer is (C). The key words are less important. A good word would
be “unimportant.” That eliminates choices (A), (D), and (E). The trigger for the second blank is grand scheme of things. A good word choice would be “lifetime.” That eliminates choice (B).
2. The correct answer is (D). The clue in the sentence is emotions . . . are found.
The trigger words are even in the most. A good word for a person who would have both qualities would be “good.” That eliminates choices (A), (B), and (E). Since
celestialmeans “heavenly,” it cannot apply to a person. This eliminates choice (C).
3. The correct answer is (B). The key word here is elderly. A good word would be
“senile.” This eliminates choices (A) and (E). The trigger for the second blank is
inattention. A good word would be “tired.” That eliminates choices (C) and (D).
4. The correct answer is (C). It is the only choice that correctly describes a phase of
an academic subject.
5. The correct answer is (D). The key word is refugee. A good word for what a
refugee must do is “surrender.” That eliminates choices (A), (C), and (E). A good word for another act for a refugee would be “forgo.” That eliminates choice (B).
6. The correct answer is (B). The key words are some experts think. A good word
for what some would believe is “genetic.” That would eliminate choices (A) and (E). The trigger for the second blank is others believe. A good word for the opposite of what is in the first blank would be “acquired.” That eliminates choices (C) and (D).
7. The correct answer is (B). The key word is English. A good word for a characteris-
tic of an English teacher is “scholar.” That eliminates choices (A), (D), and (E). The trigger for the second blank is language. That eliminates choice (C).
8. The correct answer is (C). The key words are long face. A good word would be
“sad.” That eliminates choices (A), (D), and (E). Another good word is “tearful.” That eliminates choice (B).
9. The correct answer is (E). The key word is eating. A good word is “chew.” That
would eliminate choices (A), (B), and (D). A good word for the result of chewing is “utilize.” That eliminates choice (C).
10. The correct answer is (A). The key word for the second blank is dreaded. A good
choice would be “boring.” That eliminates choices (B), (D), and (E). The trigger word for the first blank is aging. A good choice would be “overused phrases.” That eliminates choice (C).
11. The correct answer is (D). The key word is suspect. A good word would be
“distrust.” That eliminates choices (A) and (E). The trigger for the second blank is
discussing his life experiences.A good word would be “honesty.” That eliminates choices (B) and (C).
12. The correct answer is (C). The key words for the second blank are church leader.
A good word would be “priest.” That eliminates choices (A), (B), and (E). The trigger for the first blank is outbursts. A good word would be “irreligious.” That eliminates choice (D).
13. The correct answer is (C). The key words are would have preferred. A good word
is “cursing.” That eliminates choices (A), (B), and (D). The trigger for the second blank is looks. A good word is “blaming.” That eliminates choice (E).
14. The correct answer is (A). The key words are fearful storm. A good word would
be “prayed.” That eliminates choices (C), (D), and (E). The trigger for the second blank is divine. A good word would be “assistance.” That eliminates choice (B).
15. The correct answer is (A). The key words for the second blank are favors from
others.A good word would be “begging.” That eliminates choices (C), (D), and (E). For the first blank, key words are studying psychology, which would lead one to observe behavior. A good word would be “flatterer.” That eliminates choice (B).
16. The correct answer is (A). The key word is money-hungry. A good word would
be “begging.” That eliminates choices (C), (D), and (E). The trigger words for the second blank are turned to. A good word would be “good.” That eliminates choice (B).
17. The correct answer is (B). The key word is burglarizing. Two synonyms are
needed, as indicated by the comma between the blanks. A good word would be “sneaky.” That eliminates choices (A), (C), and (E). Another good word for such behavior would be “careful.” That eliminates choice (D).
18. The correct answer is (C). The key word is commencement. A good word for a
speech delivered on such an occasion is “address.” That eliminates choices (A), (B), and (E). The trigger for the second blank is effect. A good word would be “energiz- ing.” That eliminates choice (D).
19. The correct answer is (D). The key here is that we need synonyms, as indicated
by the pairing divided by “and.” A good word for the result of medication is “drowsy.” This eliminates choices (A), (C), and (E). Another good word is “sleepy.” This eliminates choice (B).
20. The correct answer is (B). The key word here is editor. A good word for the work
of an editor is “exacting.” That eliminates choices (A), (C), and (D). The trigger for the second blank is numerous. A good word would be “corrections.” This eliminates choice (E).
21. The correct answer is (D). The key words are erratic and problems. We need an
adjective and a noun, as indicated by the lack of a comma between the two words. A good word choice would be “infrequent.” That eliminates choices (A) and (E). The trigger for the second blank is frightening. A good word would be “displays.” That eliminates choices (B) and (C).
22. The correct answer is (D). The key words are nursery rhymes. A good word for a
witch in such a work would be “evil.” That eliminates choices (A), (C), and (E). The trigger for the second blank is doll. A good word would be an “effigy.” That elimi- nates choice (B).
SENTENCE COMPLETION REVIEW
65
23. The correct answer is (E). The key word is courtroom. A good word for one who
hears in a courtroom is “judge.” That eliminates choices (B), (C), and (D). The trigger words for the second blank are to jail. Good word choices would be “sent back.” That eliminates choice (A).
24. The correct answer is (A). The clue here is Alcoholics Anonymous. A good word
would be “alcoholism.” That eliminates choices (B), (D), and (E). The trigger for the second blank is liver disease. A good word would be “cirrhosis.” That eliminates choice (C).
25. The correct answer is (B). The clue here is hang them. A good word would be
“arrangement.” That eliminates choices (A), (D), and (E). The trigger for the second blank requires a result. A good word would be “interesting.” That eliminates choice (C).
26. The correct answer is (A). The key word for the second blank is grass. That
eliminates choices (B), (C), and (E). The clue for the first blank is animal. A good word would be “cow.” That eliminates choice (D).
27. The correct answer is (D). The key words are first job and novice. A characteristic
of a beginner would be “lack of training.” That eliminates choices (B), (C), and (E). The trigger for the second blank is ridiculous. A good word would be “confusion.” That eliminates choice (A).
28. The correct answer is (D). The key words here are around the moon. A good
word would be “circle.” That eliminates choices (A), (B), and (E). The trigger for the second blank is sign. A good word would be “beautiful.” That eliminates choice (C).
29. The correct answer is (A). The key words here are Teddy Roosevelt, whom we
revere as our president, who rode with the cavalry. A good word would be “horse.” That eliminates choices (C), (D), and (E). The trigger for the second word is over. A good word would be “rise.” That eliminates choice (B).
30. The correct answer is (B). The key words are metropolitan rush. A good word
would be “city.” That eliminates choices (C), (D), and (E). The trigger for the second blank is vacation. A good word would be “country.” That eliminates choice (A).