Sentence Completion

Format

Sentence Completion questions present a sentence with one blank. You choose the word that fits the meaning and logic of the sentence best.

These questions test vocabulary and your ability to understand how a sentence works.

Context Clue Types

• Restatement: The sentence defines the blank. "The scientist was known for her ______, or ability to solve problems creatively." → ingenuity
• Example: Examples hint at the category. "She loved ______ hobbies such as painting and writing poetry." → artistic/creative
• Cause-Effect: The blank is the result of something. "Because he had not slept, he was ______ throughout the day." → exhausted/drowsy

Contrast & Direction Words

These signal words change the direction of meaning:

• Contrast (opposite): although, but, however, despite, yet, while, even though → blank will contrast with the other part.
• Same direction: and, also, furthermore, because, therefore → blank will match the tone of the other part.

Example: "Although the movie was lengthy, the audience found it ______."
"Although" signals contrast → movie was long, but audience felt the opposite of bored → engaging / captivating.

Strategy

1. Read the full sentence and note any direction words.
2. Predict your own word for the blank before looking at choices.
3. Match your prediction to the choices (look for synonyms of your word).
4. Plug your chosen answer back in and confirm the sentence makes sense.