SAT CRITICAL READING
PART 3
SENTENCE COMPLETION QUESTIONS
Overview
Tips on Handling Sentence Completion Questions
Sentence Completion Exercises
Answers to Sentence Completion Exercises
Answer Explanations
Overview
Sentence completion questions are the first critical reading questions you encounter as you take the SAT. These questions test your ability to use your vocabulary and to recognize how the different parts of a sentence fit together to make sense.
The sentence completion questions ask you to choose the best way to complete a sentence from which one or two words have been omitted. You must be able to recognize the logic, style, and tone of the sentence, so that you will be able to choose the answer that makes sense in this context. You must also be able to recognize the different ways in which words are normally defined. At some time or another, you have probably had a vocabulary assignment in which you were asked to define a word and use it in a sentence. In questions of this type, you have to fit words into sentences. Once you understand the implications of a sentence, you should be able to choose the answer that will make the sentence clear, logical, and consistent in style and tone.
The subject matter of these sentences comes from a wide variety of fields—music, art, science, literature, history. However, you are not being tested on your general knowledge. Though at times your knowledge of a particular fact may guide you in choosing the correct answer, you should be able to handle any of the sentences using your understanding of the English language.