Critical Reading

1
Critical Reading

• Sentence Completion Strategies

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Sentence Completion Questions Test Two Main
Attributes

• The strength of your vocabulary.
• Your general verbal ability, especially your
  ability to understand the logic of sentences.

3
Preparation

• To improve your verbal ability, read as widely as
  you can and look up words you do not recognize.
• Read anything newspapers, articles, articulate
  blogs, short storiesjust keep reading!

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Preparation

• Latin and Greek Roots
• https//www.msu.edu/defores1/gre/roots/gre_rts_af
  x2.htm
• There are many websites like the link above that
  list common prefixes, suffixes, and root words.
  Study them they will help you figure out words
  you dont know!
• acer means bitter, sour, or sharp
• Even the acerbic old woman smiled when children
  came to visit her in the nursing home.
• What do you think acerbic means?

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Answer

• acerbic
• ?'s?r b?k/ uh-sur-bikadjective
• 1.sour or astringent in taste Lemon juice is
  acerbic.
• 2.harsh or severe, as of temper or expression
  acerbic criticism.

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Preparation (continued)

• SAT Words Hot List
• http//nccsc.k12.in.us/hsmedia/hot_words_SAT.htm
• You can find these lists online or in any SAT
  prep book.
• This site groups the words by definition.
• I suggest you group the words in some way
  yourself, maybe even alphabetically, and work on
  them a chunk at a time.
• Flash cards are the bomb!

7
Preparation

• Quizlet even has SAT words!
• http//quizlet.com/207969/100-most-common-sat-word
  s-flash-cards/

8
Sentence Completion Question Format

• Every section of questions will be preceded by a
  set of directions and an example for your
  reference
• Directions
• Read the sentence
• Choose the word or set of words that, when
  inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning
  of the sentence.

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Sentence Completion Format

• SAMPLE QUESTION
• Medieval kingdoms did not become constitutional
  republics overnight on the contrary, the change
  was ________.
• Unpopular
• Unexpected
• Advantageous
• Sufficient
• Gradual

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Answer

• The correct answer is (E) Gradual.
• Medieval kingdoms did not become constitutional
  republics overnight on the contrary, the change
  was gradual.

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Basic Steps for Solving Sentence Completions

• Read the sentence carefully.
• Think of a word or words that will fit the blanks
  appropriately.
• Look through the five answer choices for the
  word. If its not there, move on to the next
  step.

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Basic Steps for Solving Sentence Completions

• Examine the sentence for clues to the missing
  word.
• Eliminate any answers choices that are ruled out
  by the clues.
• Try the ones that are left and pick whichever is
  best.

13
Time to Practice our Mad Skills!

• Please go to www.rachwal.wikispaces.com
• and go to the SAT prep page to find links to a
  few practice tests that the website will score
  for you!
• Take at least three of the tests.
• Good luck!