Unit 4: Reading Comprehension

Strategy for Sentence Completion Questions

1. Read the sentence for clue words.

2. Predict the answer.

3. Select the best match.

4. Insert your answer back into the sentence.

Step 1: Reading the sentence for clue words will help you relate the parts of the sentence. A clue word like “but” tells you to contrast the next part of the sentence. A clue word like “moreover” tells you that what follows is a continuation of the same thought or idea. Clue words such as and, but, such as, however, and although tell you how the parts relate to each other.

For a two-blank sentence completion question, take one blank at a time. Choose the easier blank, cross out any choices that do not apply, and finish by checking only the remaining choices for the other blank.

Step 2: Predict the answer before you even look at the answer choices. This way, you will have a good idea of the kind of word you need. The missing word may be a positive or a negative word. It may be two words that are antonyms, or two words that contrast each other.

Step 3: Select the best choice by comparing your prediction to your choices. Read every answer choice before deciding which answer best completes the sentence.

Step 4: Insert your answer choice back into the sentence blank or blanks. Only one choice should actually make sense.

If you have gone through the four steps, and more than one choice still looks good, eliminate the choices that you can, and guess from the remaining choices, moving on to the next question. If all the choices look terrible, circle the question & come back to it when you have finished the other questions.

Sample Question

The king’s __________ decisions as a diplomat and administrator led to his legendary reputation as a just and ___________ ruler.

( A ) quick ... capricious

( B ) equitable ... wise

( C ) immoral ... preceptive

( D ) generous ... witty

Step 1 : Read the sentence for clue words. The clue words are led to and just. The king’s decisions led to his having a reputation as a just and _________ ruler. Whatever words go into the blanks must connect with his being a just ruler.

Step 2: Predict the answer by finding two words that are similar in meaning. If the king’s decisions were good, he would be remembered as a good ruler, and if they were bad decisions, he would be remembered as a bad ruler. A just ruler would be a fair ruler. Both blanks require positive words. You can put a plus sign in the blanks to remind you to look for two positive words among the four choices.

Step 3: Select the best answer according to the kinds of words you predicted. In the sample sentence, you need to find words that are both, positive and similar in meaning. Looking at the choices, in ( A ) capricious means erratic or fickle and quick and capricious are not positive or similar in meaning. In ( B ), equitable means fair. Equitable and wise are similar, and they are both positive. When you place them into the sentence, they make sense , so ( B ) looks right. Now check out the others. In ( C ), immoral and perceptive are not similar at all; and perceptive is positive, but immoral is not. In ( D ), generous and witty are both positive, but they are not very similar. They don’t make sense in the sentence. ( B ) is the best answer.

Step 4: Insert your answer choice back into the sentence : The kings equitable decisions as a diplomat and administrator led to his legendary reputation as a just and wise ruler. Choice ( B ) is the correct answer.