Sentence Completions

1. Sentence Completions

2. Definition and Example Sentence Completion questions consist of a sentence in which _____ or two words (or phrases) are ________. You select the word or words that best complete the sentence. Example: Medieval kingdoms did not become constitutional republics overnight; on the contrary, the change was _______ • Unpopular • Unexpected • Advantageous • Sufficient • Gradual missing one

3. How do I answer SC Questions? Always begin by reading the entire sentence __________to understand the ideas being expressed. • Look for introductory and ___________words that tell you how the parts of the sentence relate to each other – the _____of the sentence. • Try filling in the blanks _____ looking at the choices. If you can’t come up with anything, then look at the answer options to help you determine the sense of the sentence. • Look for a choice that is similar to the one you thought up. Find the answer choice that best fits the logic and meaning of the sentence. Consider all options. carefully transitional logic before

4. Double CheckingWhen you have chosen an answer, read the complete sentence through to be sure it makes sense. In the example: Medieval kingdoms did not become constitutional republics overnight; on the contrary, the change was _______ • Unpopular (D) Sufficient • Unexpected (E) Gradual • Advantageous • The transitional phrase “on the contrary” suggests that medieval kingdoms became constitutional republics in a way that the opposite of “overnight.” • Choices A, C, and D can be eliminated because they have nothing to do with the passage of time. • Choice B can be eliminated because an “unexpected” event could very well be one that occurred “overnight.” • Gradual reflects time and represent the opposite of “overnight” E is the answer.

5. Introductory and Transitional Words • Are key to figure out the logic of the sentence. • Tell how the parts of the sentence ______ to each other • Always read the sentences carefully and don’t ignore any of the details relate

6. ________ Contrast Similiar • And • Also • Besides • For example • In other words • Likewise • Another • In addition • Moreover • Furthermore • But • Not • Nor • Instead • However • In contrast • On the other hand • Although • Despite • In spite of • Yet • Even while • Except • Nevertheless • Notwithstanding • regardless

7. Cause/Effect Conditional • Because • Consequently • Therefore • Thus • Hence • As a result • In order to • If • When

8. Negatives Some of the most difficult sentence completion questions contain negatives. Negatives in two clauses of a sentence can be even more of a challenge. For example: According to Burgess, a novelist should not preach, for sermonizing has no place in good fiction. A negative appears in each clause of this sentence. The transitional word “for” indicates that the second part of the sentence will explain the first.

9. Steps to Approaching Sentence Completions • Read sentence and _________ key words. • Look for __________ in sentences. • Fill in the blanks with your own words • Look through the answer choice that match your words • Mark out answers by ________ them out • Mark answer in book, transfer one group at a time to your answer sheet underline key words crossing

10. To find meanings of words • Look at root and prefix of word • Think of similar words • Use foreign language • Think of where you heard the word before

11. Types of Sentence Completions • Cause/Effect • Definition • Similar • Opposite • Consequences • Contrasting • Positive/Negative