Sentence Completion questions measure your knowledge of the meanings of words and ability to understand how the different parts of a sentence logically fit together.

Directions: Each sentence below has one or two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five words or sets of words labeled A through E. Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

hints:Here are some general hints for answering Sentence Completion questions.

Read the entire sentence to yourself.


Watch for introductory or connecting words and phrases like "but," "not," "because," etc.


In sentences with two blanks, make sure the words for both blanks make sense in the sentence.


Start by working with one blank at a time.


Stay within the meaning of the sentence.


Before you mark your answer, read the complete sentence with your choice filled in.

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question 1 of 12

If your garden plot is small, it will not pay to grow crops that require a large amount of ---- in order to develop.
(A) sun
(B) rain
(C) fertilizer
(D) space
(E) care

(from the October 1996 test)

Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The word that fits into the blank space is defined by the part of the sentence that follows the colon. Since writing that "begins with early immigrant writings and ends with contemporary writers" describes writing that is arranged according to time, the word that best completes the sentence is choice (D), chronological.
question 3 of 12

Although some think the terms "bug" and "insect" are ---- , the former term actually refers to ---- group of insects.
(A) parallel . . an identical
(B) precise . . an exact
(C) interchangeable . . a particular
(D) exclusive . . a separate
(E) useful . . a useless

(from the October 14, 1997 test)

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The word "although" indicates that the two parts of the sentence contrast with each other: although most people think about the terms one way, something else is actually true about the terms. Choice C is correct because it presents a situation where most people think of the two terms as interchangeable, but the first of the two terms, bugs, actually refers to particular group of insects.

question 4 of 12

The practice of storytelling for entertainment and instruction was at one time so widespread that it was virtually ---- .
(A) rigorous
(B) universal
(C) elevating
(D) uncommon
(E) unknown

(from the October 18, 1997 test)

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The word that fits into the blank space must expand on the idea of the practice of storytelling being widespread. The only word that expands on the idea of something being very widespread is the word in Choice (B), universal. question 5 of 12

The novel's protagonist, a pearl diver, naïvely expects that the buyers will compete among themselves to pay him the best price for his pearl, but instead they ---- to ---- him.
(A) venture . . reward
(B) pretend . . praise
(C) conspire . . reimburse
(D) refuse . . cheat
(E) collude . . swindle

(from the October 18, 1997 test)

Correct Answer: E
Explanation: The sentence states that the pearl diver expected one kind of behavior from the buyers, but instead they behaved in a different way. Since the pearl diver expected the buyers "to compete among themselves to pay him the best price," the correct answer must be two words that make the last clause describe an opposite situation. Choice (E) is the answer, because with these words inserted in the sentence, the last clause now states that the buyers "collude" (or conspire) to "swindle" him.
question 6 of 12

The addition of descriptive details to the basic information serves to ---- the book by producing a fuller account.
(A) invalidate
(B) objectify
(C) incite
(D) celebrate
(E) enrich

(from the October 17, 1998 test)

Correct Answer: E
Explanation: The addition of descriptive detail to basic information is something that most likely would expand, enhance, or enrich a book; this interpretation is reinforced by the conclusion of the sentence, which refers to "a fuller account" as the result of that addition.
question 7 of 12

Usually so ---- with his possessions that his friends considered him negligent, Daniel was surprisingly ---- with his new computer.
(A) impulsive . . regretful
(B) generous . . imaginative
(C) practical . . deferential
(D) careless . . conscientious
(E) impatient . . vacuous

(from the October 17, 1998 test)

Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The word in the first blank should be closely related to "negligent"; though careless, in choice (D), is closest in meaning to "negligent," all other first terms, except "practical" in (C), might arguably make some sense. Only the second term of (D), however, denotes a characteristic -- being conscientious -- that would be surprising for someone usually considered negligent. (D), then, is the best answer.
question 8 of 12

Ramona had never visited Niagara Falls, but she could appreciate their splendor ---- through the descriptions of others.
(A) vicariously
(B) heedlessly
(C) innocuously
(D) mystically
(E) voluminously

(from the October 20, 1998 test)

Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The word that fills the blank must be an adverb whose definition has to do with appreciating something indirectly, through the descriptions of others (based on their experiences). Since to experience something vicariously is to experience it through imaginative participation in the actual experience of another person, choice (A) fits the sentence best.
question 9 of 12

The advertised property, which ---- vast and unspoiled stretches, will undoubtedly ---- potential buyers who yearn for seclusion.
(A) spans . . interfere with
(B) abuts . . appeal to
(C) overlooks . . infuriate
(D) precludes . . assemble
(E) erodes . . inspire

(from the October 20, 1998 test)

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Since the property is somehow associated with "vast and unspoiled stretches," it is most likely to appeal to or inspire potential buyers who yearn for seclusion. In terms of the second blank alone, only choices (B) or (E) fit the sentence; when the first terms of these two choices are substituted for the first blank, only choice (B) produces a sentence that makes sense: property that abuts (or borders on) vast, unspoiled stretches of land is likely to appeal to buyers seeking seclusion.
question 10 of 12

The sound of fingernails scratching a chalkboard is ---- to some people, causing momentary, but intense, pain.
(A) recuperative
(B) ludicrous
(C) excruciating
(D) diluting
(E) boisterous

(from the October 12, 1999 test)