Context Clues in One-Blank Sentences - PSAT Critical Reading

While the plaintiff's backtracking makes him look bad, the sentence is structured in a way that makes the correct answer need to mean "truthful" or "believable." Therefore, rule out "frivolous," "underhanded," and "conniving" immediately. "Credible," which means believable, is the choice that works best in the sentence.

The writer's avoidance of jargon and technical language is contrasted with the answer choice. Look for the answer that is an antonym to "technical" or "academic." "Colloquial," meaning informal and local and referring to language, is the best answer choice.

The correct answer is "magnanimous," meaning noble or courageous. The contextual clues of the sentence imply that the reaction was positive by the words "gracious" and "despite." This makes "magnanimous" the logical choice to finish the sentence.

The key is that Jonathan is not like his brother; therefore, he is not talkative. While this might be described as “understated,” the most direct choice would be “taciturn.” This word means to be silent or reserved in speech. It is derived from the Latin tacere (and related words), which means to be silent or leave unmentioned. A related English word is “tacit.”

Mark’s cynicism is most likely displayed in his thoughts about the state of (and relative hopefulness for) other humans; therefore, the best word is “misanthrope.” This is derived from two Greek roots. The prefix, “mis-,” has many usages implying wrong, lacking, and other such words (e.g. “mistake,” “mistreat,” “misunderstand”). The second part is derived from anthropos, which means human person, and has related English derivatives in words like “anthropology” and “philanthropist.” Our word therefore means one lacking in respect for human beings or even, more strongly, one who hates humankind.

The hermit actually is wise, though he denies it of himself. The best word is therefore “sagacity.” The word is derived from the Latin for “keen-sighted” or “perceptive” and is found in related English words like “sage.”

Mark’s activity is meant to be in support of other human beings. Such a person could be a philanthropist, or one who is a “lover of men.” The word is derived from two Greek roots. The first half, “phil-,” is derived from the Greek word for “love of friendship” or merely “friendship.”The city “Philadelphia” is named from Greek “brotherly love.” (The “brotherly” portion comes from adelphos, for brother.) The second half is derived from anthropos, which means human person, and has related English derivatives in words like “anthropology” or “misanthrope.”

The key here is to pay heed to the description “burden” in the subordinate clause. The word we are searching for will best match that notion. While a burdensome task might be "remarkable" or "outstanding" (or even perhaps the other more negative choices), it most definitely is “onerous,” which means excessively burdensome. (This is further supported by the adjective “greatest” describing the perceived burden.)

The word “onerous” is derived from the Latin "onus," which means burden or load. Our English is derived from a form of the word that has the base “oner-.”

The necessary word describes a strengthening of the activity of standing. (The key to this interpretation is the phrase “but also”); therefore, the best fit is “ambulatory,” which means able to walk.

It is derived from the Latin "ambulare," to walk, which has derivatives not only in words like "ambulate" but likewise in the more familiar “ambulance,” which is indirectly derived from the Latin via a French expression for a type of moving (in a broad sense, "ambulating") field hospital.

In contrast to his poor youth, Lucian’s lifestyle must have become rather wealthy. If something is “opulent” it is outwardly or obviously rich or luxurious. It comes from the Latin root “ops-,” which means either power / might or wealth / resources. It is related to the word “copious,” which means in abundance or great supply.

Since there is a plentitude of fish, we could say that there was a “surfeit,” which is an excessive amount of something. The prefix of the word is really an abbreviation of “super-”, which means “above.” The “-feit” portion is derived from the Latin “facere,” which means to do or make and is reflected in many English words like “fact,” “factory,” “artifact,” and so forth.

Since she is different than her brother (in this respect, at least), Gina must be happy and able in social company. Such a person is “gregarious”, a word that is derived from the Latin root “grex” (and “gregis”) for “flock.” This base has many related English words that likewise reflect this “multitude” or “flock,” such as “aggregation,” “congregation,” and “segregate.”

One is considered to be “droll” if their actions are amusing because of their curious manner. The humor is not necessarily “side-splitting” in the sense of being boisterously humorous. In an older usage, the word “droll” means a jester (of sorts), and the word might be derived from roots meaning an imp or goblin. Even if this is not the case, we can add (for our vocabulary expansion) that the word “impish” means mischievous or (sometimes) odd or crafty.

The key word is “commendation”, meaning praise; therefore, what Leo did not like (but did here accept) is “praise.” To be praised is to be “lauded,” a word derived from a Latin roots for to praise, which can be found in “laudatory” and “laudable.”

The roots of “cosmopolitan” come from two Greek bases that you should know (at least indirectly). “Cosmo-” comes from the Greek “kosmos,” which means either order or (more appropriate for our usage) universe.

Related English words are “cosmic” and “cosmology.” The second half of the word comes from Greek roots meaning “city” and are found in English words like “political,” “polity,” and “politician.” One who is cosmopolitan is therefore one who lives as though the world were his or her city. Such a person is comfortable in many cultures and milieus.

Spring colors are bright green, hence they are “verdant.” The word comes to us from the Latin word for green, but if you have had other modern languages, you should notice a similarity in the words used for green: “vert” in French, “verde” in Spanish, and “verde” in Italian.

Since the two personalities are opposed, it is necessary to think of an opposite for Laura’s troublesome drama. While this might be annoying to her husband, the key is to choose the word most opposed to this dramatic persona. That would be “aloof,” not any of the others.

Someone who is “saccharine” is excessively sentimental or sweet. It comes from the Latin word for sugar, and in modern times the manufactured substance called “saccharin” has been used as a substitute for sugar.

Normally, we use the word “pedestrian” to mean one who is walking instead of driving in a city. The roots of the word would lead us to think this as well, for “pedestrian” is derived from the Latin for “foot,” found in other words like “pedal” and “pedicure;” however, as an adjective, the word can mean “unexciting” or “uninteresting.” Since John is being contrasted with his wife, who has “daring tastes and hobbies,” he must be somewhat unexciting and dull—rather pedestrian.