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Sentence Completion Test

Description: Sentence Completion Gap Fills Practice and Preparation Test for MBA Entrance, SAT, English, GMAT, CDS, SSC, Pharma and Insurance Exams
Number of Questions: 25
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Tags: Sentence Completion Test Sentence Completion Gap Fills English Gap Fills MBA Entrance SAT English GMAT CDS SSC and Insurance Exams Sentence Correction English Test English Grammar GMAT Pattern GMAT Test GMAT Preparation GMAT Sentence Correction Critical Reading Sentence Completion (Gap fills)
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Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

Mendel concluded that heredity was controlled by discrete units of living substance transmitted by both parents to their offspring and ________ in each generation.

  1. reassorted

  2. amplified

  3. camouflaged

  4. reduplicated

  5. transistorized


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

This sentence is based on genetics, which implies that discrete units or genes pass on characters from parents to offsprings and in second and later generations exhibit these characters in all possible combinations i.e. they assort themselves in all combinations. Hence, (1) is the answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

Although she was not a very ____________ writer, the few works she did produce earned for her the adulation of such diverse groups as the avant-garde poet and the __________ literary critics.

  1. creative …….nugatory

  2. prolific …….mainstream

  3. lucid …….apolitical

  4. capable …….typical

  5. vivacious ….. trivial


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The second blank would be replaced by the word that is opposite to avant-garde (Diverse provides the clue). ‘Avant–Garde’ refers to leaders in new or unconventional movements. Of all the options, ‘mainstream’ in (2) is opposite to avant-garde. Moreover, although in the sentence sets up the contrast. ‘Prolific’ (abundant) is contrary to 'few works', therefore option 2 gives a cogent meaning to the sentence. 

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

The author of the Lord of the Rings hated the ________ of modern living so much that he ________ his car and his television.

  1. conveniences ….. gave up

  2. contraptions ….. set off

  3. inanities ….. gave off

  4. mechanization ….. gave in


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

“Car” and “television” gives the clue for the first blank, thus “conveniences”, “contraptions” and “mechanics” fit our prediction. He hated them so much that he gave up his car and his television. “Gave up” is the correct usage for second blank, hence (1) is the answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

Even detractors who warn of its potential for abuse by powerful despots agree that genetic engineering, if used ________, can reduce the incidence of the sort of physical and mental deformities that any society would want to eliminate.

  1. premeditatedly

  2. discriminately

  3. biologically

  4. authentically

  5. ostensibly


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The missing word must contrast with the motion of abuse of genetic engineering, while at the same time be consistent with the desirable goal of reducing the incidence of deformities. Only (2) accomplishes both. To use the technology “discriminately” would be to conscientiously apply it only towards certain ends (such as reducing deformities) and not towards others (such as creating a master race that dominates others). Hence, (2) is the answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate fillers for the blanks such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

The _________ matron of the hostel put an end to the ________ meetings of the boarder with her boy friend.

  1. blue-eyed, stoic

  2. shrewd, comatose

  3. amazon, baleful

  4. lynx-eyed, clandestine

  5. hawk-eyed, overt


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

After reading the sentence it is evident that meetings of boarder with her boy friend were unwanted, therefore matron put an end to these. So, we shall first find a word, which can easily fit into the second blank. ‘Stoic’ means humble, as meetings can’t be humble, therefore option (1) is ruled out. ‘Comatose’ means lethargic as if in coma, as we cannot relate this word to the meeting, therefore, option (2) is ruled out. ‘Baleful’ means destructive, ominous, deadly or harmful', now though meetings are described as undesirable but they cannot be termed as deadly meetings, hence option (3) is ruled out. As meetings can’t be overt (open, not hidden), therefore option (5) is also ruled out. ‘Clandestine’ meaning secret, private fits our prediction for the second blank. Moreover, ‘lynx–eyed’ means having very keen sight also makes a perfect match-describing characteristic of matron. Hence, (4) is the answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

The stars awaken a certain reverence, because though always present they are _____; but all natural objects make a kindred impression, when the mind is open to their _____.

  1. surmountable ….. captivation

  2. elusive ….. enticement

  3. on the horizon….magnetism

  4. inaccessible ….. influence


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

“Though” after because in second part of the sentence sets up the contrast in that part itself. This implies - though stars are always present, yet they are inapproachable because of their great distance from earth. “Inaccessible” in (4) is synonymous to “inapproachable”, hence it fits our prediction. Options (1), (3) and (5) means approaching, which is contrary to our prediction, hence ruled out. 'Elusive' means evasive, mysterious; which is irrelevant, hence ruled out. “Influence” - the pair word of “inaccessible” in option (4) gives a cogent meaning to the sentence when it replaces the blank. Hence, (4) is the answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

Created to defend the papacy and to convert unbelievers in many lands to Christianity, the society of Jesus – better known as the ‘Jesuits’ – found themselves ________ in political _______ almost from the beginning of their existence.

  1. entangled ….. foursquare

  2. inculpable ….. trickery

  3. embroiled ….. skullduggery

  4. angelic ….. impeachment

  5. impeccable ….. chicanery


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The clause ‘Jesuits’ were involved in conerting unbelievers. It forms a cause–effect relationship and the effect is negative as we can make out from the latter part of the sentence. For the first blank, ‘embroiled’ and ‘entangled’, both meaning involved, fits our prediction, which leaves us with these 2 options - (1) and (3). ‘Foursquare’ means frank, honest, forthright whereas ‘skullduggery’ means dishonesty, which is cogent with political in the sentence. Hence, (3) is the answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

Jonathan is an opprobrious and ___________ speaker, equally caustic toward friend or foe - a true curmudgeon.

  1. lofty

  2. vituperative

  3. unstinting

  4. retiring

  5. laudatory


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

And in the sentence indicates that the missing adjective is similar in meaning to opprobrious (abusive, insulting), which is very negative. Now, vituperative 'the only negative word' meaning abusive is in tandem with opprobrious. Hence, (2) is the answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

Dreaming is a ________ activity of the mind which is not limited by the power of ________, which is not interrupted by self consciousness and which is not directed by self determination, but which is the freely operating vitality of the sensory centers.

  1. monstrous ….. peculiarity

  2. preposterous…..eccentricity

  3. fundamental…..indivisibility

  4. natural ….. individuality

  5. procured ….. emulation


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

‘Natural’ in (4) fits the first blank, as this is the essence of the sentence. The clause after “which” provides an explanation to what precedes it. Keeping this in mind, ‘individuality’ gives a cogent meaning to the second blank. Hence, (4) is the answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

The American public has become so ________ by dull history textbooks in school and college that it won’t read history unless ________ as something else under a title such as “The Flowering of Florida”.

  1. vanquished ….. ordained

  2. vexed ….. named

  3. sated ….. disguised

  4. disgruntled ….. designated

  5. surfeited ….. debunked


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The clue for first blank comes from the phrase “it won’t read history”, which implies that Americans are satisfied to the full by reading history textbooks. (1), (3) and (5) fits our prediction for the first blank. “Disguised” seems to replace the second blank instead of “ordained” (commanded or established by law) and “debunked” (expose) as American public would read history textbooks only if they have a general title, i.e. disguised under different title. Hence, (3) is the answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

Moving at high speeds, vehicles _______________ their own light out of darkness.

  1. show

  2. produced

  3. stagnate

  4. create

  5. reflect


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

'Own light out' provides the clue for this sentence. This implies that vehicles would create light out of darkness. All the other options are irrelevant as neither the vehicles show light nor do they stagnate light. The word 'produced' is incorrect in the form, instead 'produce' would have been appropriate word.  Vehicles reflecting light on their own out of darkness would be scientifically incorrect as initially they need some light source to reflect it later. Hence, (4) is the answer

Directions: Select the most appropriate fillers for the blanks such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

After an absence of 30 years, I decided to visit my old school again, where I had __________ to find changes but not a _____________ different building.

  1. hoped; entirely

  2. imagined; very

  3. known; barely

  4. expected; completely


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

For the first blank, as speaker is visiting his school after 30 years, so he cannot know but expect, imagine, hope, or anticipate to find changes at that place. For the second blank, 'entirely' can't be used as it should be preceded by 'an', and not 'a' as given; hence, ruled out. 'Very' and 'single' are not that suited for the blank; therefore, ruled out. 'Completely' on replacing the blank gives a cogent meaning to the sentence. Hence, option (4) is the correct answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

What is it about one place that will bring 40 or 50 feet of water rising about its shores, while at another place, lying under the same moon and sun, the tide will rise a ________inch/ inches?

  1. sporadic

  2. multifold

  3. few

  4. meager

  5. sparse


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The operative word in this sentence is ‘while’, which highlights two contrasting situations. The word that replaces the blank should be opposite to 40 or 50 feet (high). “Few” and “meager” both fits our prediction. But “meager” is usually used to denote poor quality or small amount, inadequate, it will not be coherent if we use it with inches. Hence, (3) is the answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

It is perilously easy to decry so _________ a historical figure without trying to understand the motives for his reprehensible actions.

  1. exemplary

  2. astute

  3. efficacious

  4. prosaic

  5. villainous


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

(To decry means to condemn). What is the appropriate word that can describe a person who had indulged in reprehensible (meaning highly abhorrent) actions? Among the choices, it is only villainous which is a suitable adjective for such a person. So (5) is the answer. Prosaic means common, mundane

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

Because of his reputation as a comedic actor best suited for playing outlandish eccentrics, the director was ________ to consider him for the more serious role of the solemn monarch.

  1. compelled

  2. loath

  3. irrelevant

  4. destined

  5. ambivalent


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The word ‘because’ indicates that the first part of the sentence sets up the cause - this actor’s history is playing comedic roles and the second part of the sentence states the effect that creates, which are some doubts in the mind of the director in that he might be unwilling or reluctant to cast him in this new role. As such, ‘loath’ means unwilling and reluctant and it fits in with the sentence. Hence, (2) is the answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

While the wine makers were exhausted at the end of their first season, they took______ in the fact that the vines would require much less effort in the coming years.

  1. solace

  2. prerogative

  3. vagaries

  4. divergence


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The clue word was “while”. 'Solace' means relief, and that fits our prediction, as the other answer choices do not work. Hence, (1) is the answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

________ books are those that are best not read since they are _________ and indecent.

  1. Allegorical ….. obscure

  2. Audacious ….. repugnant

  3. Salacious ….. obscene

  4. Adventurous ….. illicit

  5. Perspicacious ….. lewd


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

After reading the sentence we get the trait of books that are not be read which are indecent. So the first blank should be filled by a kind of book, which contains indecent contents. Allegorical books are those representing moral symbols. Adventurous books do not necessarily contain indecency nor can it be said about perspicacious books which are insightful. However, salacious books are lustful, obscene which fit perfectly in the first blank. Therefore (3) is the correct answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

Having ____________ economic significance, sericulture has become an employment ___________ for the poor and the weaker sections of society including widows.

  1. immense ….. contingency

  2. extensive ….. consistency

  3. tremendous ….. potential

  4. enormous ….. capacity


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

For the first blank, all the answer choices seem probable. As all these choices are positive, therefore the second blank would be replaced by a positive word (as second part of the sentence is in support to the first part). 'Contingency' (possibility, likelihood) in (1) is not in tandem with it's other pair word 'immense', hence ruled out. On the same lines, 'consistency'(harmony, agreement) in (2) is ruled out. 'Potential' is power, potent, which on replacing the blank gives a cogent meaning to the sentence. 'capacity' in (4) is ruled out as the sentence becomes absurd on use of this term. 'Retention' is custody, withholding,; therefore ruled out as completely off the track. Hence, (3) is the correct answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

He never __________ the wisdom I had claimed for him, and my friends quickly dismissed my estimate of his ability as ______________

  1. repudiated…..irony

  2. inhibited…..propaganda

  3. demonstrated…..hyperbole

  4. masked…..exaggeration


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

This sentence suggests that the speaker thought somebody to be wise but as that person could not show his wisdom, speaker's friend thought that he is exaggerating his ability. Of all the options, 'demonstrated' and 'hyperbole' (exaggeration for effect and not meant to be taken literally) in option (3) fits our prediction, hence the answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

The lepers were ________ in ancient days as the disease was considered a ___________.

  1. ostracized ….. stigma

  2. vandalized ….. visitation

  3. baptized ….. sin

  4. immunized ….. contagious


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Leprosy is a communicable disease, therefore the lepers would be 'ostracized' (to banish, bar, exclude) from the society. It's pair word 'stigma' on replacing the second blank gives a cogent meaning to the sentence. Hence, (1) is the answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

Investigators agree not only the systematic studies have failed to _________ answers to the questions of what causes schizophrenia, and also that the question itself has been ________ formulated.

  1. clarify …….completely

  2. challenge ……. Weakly

  3. enumerate …….specifically

  4. yield ……. incorrectly


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

'And' provides the continuity to the second part of the sentence. As the first part reflects the negative tone of the passage, subsequently the second part would also be negative. This implies that the investigators have been described saying that the studies have failed to answer some questions and the questions that have been formulated are incorrect in itself. Of all the options, 'yield' and 'incorrect' in option (4) fits our prediction and hence forms the answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

Although the restaurant was known for its ________ delicacies, they found the dishes they order were ________.

  1. savory ….. insipid

  2. sensual ….. insatiable

  3. gingerly ….. bland

  4. assiduous ….. inert


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The clue word in this sentence is 'although', which sets up a contrast between two blanks. Of all these option, (1) and (3) seems to fit our prediction. “Gingerly', in actual sense means in a very careful or cautious way, hence does not give sense to the sentence, though “bland” (tasteless, dull) is a good substitute for second blank. “Savory” means tasty, attractive and “insipid” is a synonym of bland, therefore it fits our prediction. Hence, (1) is the answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

A foolish consistency is the _________ of little minds, adored by little statesman and philosophers and divines

  1. pinch hitter

  2. hobgoblin

  3. circumspect

  4. prudence


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

“Foolish consistency” has the direct impact on the blank. It implies a negative connotation. Therefore, the blank would be replaced by the negative word. “Hobgoblin” is a frightening apparition, or mischievous imp. 'Sagacity', 'circumspect' and 'prudence' being positive words are ruled out. Option 1 is out of context. Hence, (2) is the answer.

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

The American Roman Catholic bishops have made a ________ decision by cutting back their audits of child protection measures on the local level.

  1. wrongheaded

  2. complying

  3. pugnacious

  4. sterling


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

“Cutting back their audits of child protection measures” highlights the negative impact, hence some negative word must replace the blank as this phrase is an explanation to their negative decision. Of all these options, “wrongheaded” (stubborn in adhering to wrong opinions) fits our prediction and replaces the blank. 'Pugnacious' is eager and ready to fight; quarrelsome; combative, as it is off the track, therefore ruled out. Hence, (1) is the answer

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