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Sentence Completion

What it tests

Sentence Completion checks whether you can identify the word/phrase that logically and grammatically completes a sentence — based on context, tone, and logical relationship (contrast, cause-effect, similarity).

Strategy

  1. Read the full sentence first — don't guess from the blank alone
  2. Identify the logical relationship signaled by connecting words:
    • Contrast words (but, although, however, despite, yet) → the answer will be opposite in meaning to the rest of the sentence
    • Cause-effect words (because, since, therefore, so, as a result) → the answer will support/explain
    • Continuation words (and, moreover, similarly, likewise) → the answer will match/extend the idea
  3. Eliminate options that don't fit grammatically (wrong part of speech, wrong tense)
  4. For two-blank sentences, check that BOTH words make sense together — don't pick based on only one blank

Drill: Single Blank

  1. Despite his wealth, he lived a ___ life. (a) luxurious (b) austere (c) careless — b (despite = contrast, so opposite of wealth)
  2. Because of the heavy rain, the match was ___ . (a) continued (b) postponed (c) celebrated — b
  3. She is not only intelligent ___ also hardworking. (a) but (b) and (c) or — a
  4. The teacher was so strict that students ___ him. (a) admired (b) feared (c) ignored — b
  5. He is ___ ; he never shares anything with anyone. (a) generous (b) stingy (c) kind — b
  6. The plan failed ___ poor execution. (a) despite (b) due to (c) although — b
  7. Although he studied hard, he ___ the exam. (a) passed (b) failed (c) topped — b (contrast with "studied hard")
  8. The company's profits declined; ___, they had to cut jobs. (a) however (b) consequently (c) similarly — b
  9. He is as ___ as his father was at his age. (a) different (b) ambitious (c) unlike — b
  10. The government introduced reforms to ___ corruption. (a) promote (b) curb (c) increase — b

Drill: Two Blanks (both must fit)

  1. Although the team played , they still the match. (a) well / lost (b) poorly / won (c) badly / lost — a (contrast structure)
  2. The economy is but the government remains about recovery. (a) struggling / optimistic (b) growing / pessimistic (c) stable / worried — a
  3. He is in his approach and in his decisions. (a) careless / hasty (b) meticulous / decisive (c) lazy / firm — b
  4. Since the roads were , traffic became . (a) blocked / smooth (b) clear / heavy (c) blocked / heavy — c
  5. She was by the news but tried to remain . (a) shocked / calm (b) happy / sad (c) calm / shocked — a

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