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Strategies for Sentence Completion

• before you look at the choices, read the sentence and think of a word that makes sense,
• do not rush your selection. Consider all the answers before deciding,
• in double-blank sentences, go through the answers, testing the first word in each choice to eliminate those that do not fit. Then move on to the second word.
• do not overlook the reversing effect of negative words (or prefixes) like ‘not’ or ‘un-‘,
• if you do not understand the meaning of a word, try to break it down into prefixes, roots or suffixes,
• if a sentence contains a metaphor check to see whether that metaphor controls the writer’s choice of words.

Each of the following sentences has two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence is five lettered sets of words. Choose the word or set of words for each blank that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

Question:

The strangeness of the speech was magnified when he revealed that his ____________ beliefs led him to ___________ behavior.
(A) dissonant..obsolete
(B) incoherent..prodigal
(C) singular..iconoclastic
(D) vindictive..thespian
(E) recalcitrant..prenatal

Answer:C

Explanation: The clue for the two words is ‘led’. The relationship between the two words must be cause and effect. Here, the key is to find a belief in the first instance with its relevant behavior for the second.

Question:

Although the warring parties had settled a number of disputes, past experience made them __________ to express optimism that the talks would be a success.
(A) rash
(B) ambivalent
(C) scornful
(D) overjoyed
(E) reticent

Answer:E

Explanation: ‘Although’ sets up a contrast between what has occurred – success on some issues – and what can be expected to occur – success for the whole talks. Hence, the parties are reluctant to express optimism. The common word ‘reluctant’ is not offered as an answer choice, the synonym ‘reticent’ is however.

Question:

Unable to __________ his wholehearted distaste for media events and unnecessary publicity, Dean Brower continued to make __________ comments throughout the ceremony.
(A) control..garbled
(B) maintain..copious
(C) conceal..effusive
(D) disguise..caustic
(E) express..vitriolic

Answer:D

Explanation:Because the Dean was not able to disguise his distaste for the PR barrage, he failed to stifle his caustic or sarcastically biting remarks about the event. Note the cause and effect relationship between the opening phrase and the central clause of the sentence.

Strategies for Analogies

• before you look at the choices, try to state the relationship between the capitalized words in a clear sentence
• learn to recognize common types of analogies
• eliminate answer pairs that are clearly wrong
• beware of possible correct answers that appear in reverse order
• if more than one choice appears possible, analyze the words again,
• consider alternative meanings of words, as well as alternative parts of speech
• beware of obvious answers ‘eye-catchers’, they may be there to mislead you

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