One-Blank Sentences - PSAT Critical Reading

The key thing to note is that the food is being contrasted with being “tasteless”; therefore, the best option will be one that explicitly describes being tasteful. The word “sapid” means “having a strong and pleasing flavor.” It is the opposite of the related word “insipid,” which means “having little flavor.”

The sentence reveals that it is difficult for a historian to construct a certain type of narrative because of the impact of bias; therefore, the word that goes in the blank must refer to the quality of being unbiased. "Dispassionate" means calmly objective or not influenced by personal feelings, so it is the best answer. As for the other answer choices, "whimsical" means quirky; "rhetorical" means relating to strategies of making language effective and persuasive; "verbose" means wordy; and "influential" means having influence or important.

The second clause reveals that the first blank must describe how Mother Theresa’s behavior was kind and generous. The best answer choice is therefore magnanimous which means generous, high-minded, selfless and noble. Holistic refers to the consideration of all factors; inaudible describes something that cannot be heard; arrogant means cocky; polarizing means causes extreme division.

The sentence suggests that the French Revolution changed the whole future changed the whole future of European society. It must have therefore been an important occasion. Of the answer choices momentous best captures the implied importance. Momentous means highly significant. Irrelevant means not important; polarizing means extremely divisive; dismissive means to not consider something; introspective means reflective.

The implication of the sentence is that the version of the text being assigned is a shortened version, “containing only the essential passages of the story.” An abridgment of a story is a shortened version of it, often claimed to contain the “essential passages.” The word “abridge” is related to other “shortening” words like “abbreviate,” “brief,” and “brevity.”

The contrast being made in this sentence is between Byron’s poverty and the new house. The appropriate word must reflect above all this notion of being “not a poor man’s house.” Therefore, the best option is “affluent,” which means “wealthy.” The word literally is derived from root words in Latin that mean “to flow.” Someone who is “affluent,” in a sense “flows” with wealth / money / et cetera.

The key expression in the main clause is the indication that the two people are on “friendly” terms. While one could say that this is an "average" or "acceptable" situation, it is even better described as being “amiable,” which means friendly. The word comes from the Latin for "friend," which is often found in the form “amicable” or even “amity,” the latter meaning a state of friendship.

The key thing to note in this sentence is that Timothy is showing no interest in anything at all. A person who has little interest is best described as being “apathetic,” a word that literally means “having now emotions.” The “a-” prefix is here a negative prefix meaning “not,” while “pathetic” comes from Greek roots meaning “feeling” or even “suffering.” It is related to words like “pathos,” “empathy,” “sympathy,” and “passion.”

Since Jerome’s appearance was stern, it is best to call it “austere.” The word distantly comes from Greek roots meaning “severe.” When one experiences “austerities,” he or she experiences “severe” conditions in the sense of having little means with which to support himself or herself. The word “austere” often has this sense as well, being used to indicate that something is very plain.

The opposition implied here is that the college president has living quarters that are very simple in comparison with his office and reception area. When something is “austere,” it is severe, often used in the sense of meaning that something is severely limited or not abundant and comfortable. It is in this latter sense that we often use the word “austerity.”

Although we might wish to mock the star-crossed lover by claiming that she was in a dreamy, half-conscious state, the sentence only can imply that she was in a state of joy; therefore, her smiling face matches her “blissful” state, a word meaning extremely happy or also blessed in a more religious or spiritual sense.

Since Justine was said to develop her abilities, the implication in the opposition-indicating “although” clause is that she did not have these naturally. An “innate” ability is literally one that is “inborn” or natural. It comes from the Latin word for “to be born,” which is found in English words like “nativity” and “natal.”

Since Ronald’s lump was the result of a chance, external event, it was not a trait that he had naturally. The sentence clearly implies that the word needed must be opposed to the accidental manner by which he received the lump. Therefore, it is best said that people believed that it was an inborn characteristic.

Although several options, like “importance” and perhaps even “gravity” are tempting here, the best option is “momentous.” A “momentous” event is one that is important, especially in having implications for the future. Because of the last subordinate clause, this is the best option.

The key thing to note in this sentence is that Ryan did not show respect for others. This does not necessarily mean that he was judgmental or censorious with regard to them. The word “callous” best fits the need in this sentence, for it means that one is insensitive to others or disregards them. It is related to the physical notion of “callus,” in the sense of a hardened piece of skin (like that which one gets from playing the guitar).

All that can be said about the works in question is that they copied the originals and that they fell short to some degree; however, one must be careful not to infer anything further than that; therefore, “derivative” is the best options, a word meaning that something is an imitation of another work (or works). While it does often have a negative sense, that negativity can merely imply that the derived work falls short. The word comes from roots that literally mean “down stream from something.” The "-riv-" portion is related to words like "rivulet" and "river."

Since the decision in question was to become important, it would best be called “momentous,” meaning that it would be of great influence or significance in the future. Sometimes, you will see this same sense communicated in expressions like “decision of moment.”

The key word to note here is “inflexibly,” a clue word that indicates that the word needed is not one of the potential options dealing with continuous opposition. Instead, “adamantly” best fits the situation, meaning “refusing to alter one’s opinion or position.” The word comes originally from the Greek for “invincible” (or also “diamond”). It is related to the English “adamantine,” meaning unbreakable.

Since Blaise was unyielding, it could be said that his determination was unbreakable. The word “adamantine” fits that need best. The trap answers “devoted” and “dedicated” do not capture such strong determination, as indicated by the key phrase “utterly refusing . . .” The word comes from Greek roots meaning “invincible” (or also “diamond”). It is related to the English “adamant,” meaning “refusing to alter one’s opinion or position.”