Parts of Speech in One-Blank Sentences - PSAT Critical Reading

The key word in this sentence is “rage.” The implication of the sentence is that a slight reminder is all that is required to make Henrietta show her extreme anger about her husband. When applied to the emotions of another person, something is said to “inflame” when it brings out a very strong reaction from said person. Since the sentence speaks of Henrietta’s rage (a strong emotion), “inflame” is the best option for the verb. The word has the sense of “setting on fire,” which is obvious from the “-flam-” portion of the word, which is related to “flame.”

We can infer that because the construction company "left a completely empty lot where the older building had once stood," they completely tore down the old building before putting up the new one. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "completely tear down." "Restored" cannot be the correct answer choice because it means the opposite of the word we are looking for, and while "grounded" may look like a potentially correct answer choice because the construction company left only bare ground after they were done tearing down the old building, "razed" is the best answer because it is a verb that means "completely destroy a building, town, or other site."

Because we know that the king's advisors constantly praised and flattered him in the interest of gaining "more powerful or lucrative position\[s\] at court," we need to pick out an adjective for the blank that means something like "flattered." While "begged" may look like a potentially correct answer, the advisors are not overtly begging for better positions, and one does not "beg over" someone—that's not grammatically correct. "Fawned," on the other hand, when used as a verb describing a person's actions, means "gave a servile display of exaggerated flattery or affection, typically in order to gain favor or advantage." Because "fawned" best fits the context of the sentence, it is the correct answer.

We can infer from the sentence's context that we need to pick out a verb that means something like "recover," because we know that the football player was able to recover after having surgery and help his team win the championship. So, "sicken" cannot be the correct answer because it is an antonym of "recover." "Convalesce," however, is a verb that means "recover one's health and strength over a period of time after an illness or operation," and because it best fits the context of the sentence, it is the correct answer.

We can infer from the sentence's context that we need to pick out a verb that describes something moving "back and forth in graceful waves." While "jolting" and "stumbling" might each refer to movement, the movements they describe are too jarring to be called "graceful waves." (Plus, a snake can't really "stumble" because snakes don't have legs.) "Undulating," however, is a verb that means "moving with a smooth wavelike motion," and because it best fits the context of the sentence, it is the correct answer.

Two things must be noticed in this sentence: the expression “exposing the surface . . .” and “as the ground finally began to dry.” Since the sentence refers to the second point (the drying ground), we can eliminate the options “cleared” and “brightened.” The exposure of the boardwalk was more than mere visual exposure from clearing of water. The word “receded” works best, as it means “to draw back.” The prefix “re-” here means “backward” as in words like “recall” and “rebuild.” The “-cede” means “to go” and is found in words like “precede” and “proceed.”

The key expression in this sentence is “rarely received any inflow or outflow.” Since the pond had little movement of water, it could be said to “stagnate,” which means having no flow (either of a body of water or air). It comes from the Latin for “pool” in the sense of a “still” body of water.

The only thing that the sentence says about Vincent’s action is that he decided to simplify the room. Therefore, do not imply anything else in your answer, such as “spurning” or the like. The best option, though very simple, is “eliminating.” Interestingly, the word “eliminate” literally means “to place outside of the threshold (of some area, whether physical or figurative).” The “threshold” portion of the meaning is signified by the “-liminate” portion of the word, and it is related to words like “limitation” and “delimit.”

Since Ethel planned to look at “every line” of “every receipt,” one could fairly say that she planned a thorough investigation of the matter. Although one could somewhat weakly say that she decided to review these details, the best option is “scrutinize,” which indicates that she will look carefully and deeply at each and every detail in question. When something is subjected to scrutiny, it is given very careful review.

The key phrase in this sentence is “critically necessary.” Since the director needs to fill such an important part in the orchestra, it is likely that he will not merely ask for help in a reserved manner. Instead, it is more likely that he will ask for such help in an earnest manner. The word is derived from the Latin roots that mean not merely to ask or request but to do so often with the implication of tearfully doing so. It is related to the English “deplorable,” which indicates conditions that are extremely lamentable—very worthy of disapproval.

The sense of the sentence is that Sebastian would “call upon” the powers of God for help. When one “invokes” someone or something, he or she does just that. From its roots in Latin, the word literally means “to call on.” The prefix “in-” can at times mean “on” because of the use of “in” in Latin, which also can me “on” in the sense of “on top of.” The “-voke” portion of the word comes from the Latin for “to call or name.” It is found in words like “vocation” and “advocate.”

Since the sentence states that the principle did his action “in order to prevent” the damages from gum, it is safe to say that he did not merely consider the permission or even “scrutinize” (look carefully at) it. The sense conveyed is that he no longer allowed this permitted act. When someone “revokes” something, he or she literally “calls it back.” The word comes from the prefix “re-”, here used in the sense of “back,” and the “-voke” portion, which means “to call or name.” The latter is found in words like “invoke,” “invocation,” and “provoke.”

The sister here could be said to “pester” her brother, that is, to attempt to annoy him into anger. When someone “provokes” another person, he or she attempts to draw out or cause an emotion or reaction in that person. The word comes from roots that literally mean to draw forth. The “pro-” prefix can mean forward, as can be seen in words like “proceed” (to go forward with some chosen action). The “-voke” portion here means to call. It is found in words like “invoke” and “invocation.” It is also related to words like “vocal” and “vocation.”

Since the sentence specifically mentions that Robert is dehydrated, it is best to choose the answer that best describes the removal of said condition. When one “slakes” his or her thirst, he or she quenches it or satisfies it. Although the word is distantly related to the notion of “slackening” (as in loosening), it is most often used to describe the act of quenching or reducing thirst.

The key phrase is “in the hopes of dissuading buyers from purchasing.” Since the city wishes to reduce purchasing, it is safe to think that it wishes likewise to reduce consumption. When something is “curtailed” it is reduced or restricted.

"Avow" means to declare openly. The sentence provides the exact definition of the correct answer choice, making this question a quiz of the test-taker’s vocabulary. If you know the definition of “avow,” you’ll be quick to choose the correct answer.

The sentence implies that the employees were left to their own devices after the incident in question, and “marooned” means to be left isolated and alone and without means of escape. “Marooned” is the correct word choice to describe the feelings of the employees.

“Officiate” most closely means to perform a ceremony or duty in an official capacity. As a marriage ceremony, in this context, would be an official ceremony, "officiate" is the best answer choice.

We can infer that the sentence's subject walks around both aimlessly (because he does not "\[walk\] immediately to a destination") and clumsily (because he "often trip\[s\] over his own shoelaces or run\[s\] into stationary objects on the way"). So, we need to pick out a verb for the blank that means something like "walk aimlessly and clumsily." "Bumbling," a verb that can mean moving or speaking in a clumsy way, is the best answer because it best fits the context of the sentence.