The SAT Sentence Completions: Basic Principles
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Answers to the Direction Clues DrillKeep in mind that many possible words might satisfy a particular blank. So long as you've found an appropriate type of word for these sentence completions, you're fine. Remember that on the SAT you're not looking among the choices for an exact match with the word you've anticipated. The important thing in this drill is whether you recognized the correct direction indicated by the clue phrase.
1. The coach praised and ------- her athletes.
Discussion: The direction of this sentence continues, so a word like "encouraged" or "supported" or "congratulated" would work here. The answer would have to be a positive word consistent with the word "praised."
2. The proposed solution was expensive rather than -------.
Discussion: The direction of this sentence reverses, so a word like "practical" or "affordable" would work here. The answer would have to be a positive word contrasting with the word "expensive."
3. The prototype exhibited excellent design as well as -------.
Discussion: The direction of this sentence continues, so a word like "construction" would work here.
4. Neither agreeing nor disagreeing with either side, the mediator remained ------- during the opening presentations.
Discussion: The direction of this sentence reverses, so a word like "neutral" or "objective" would work here.
5. The audience was quiet if not ------- throughout the opera.
Discussion: The direction of this sentence goes to extremes, so a word like "silent" would work here. The expression "if not" is a difficult direction clue, so you may not have been familiar with it.
6. The author's anecdote is as enjoyable as it is -------.
Discussion: The direction of this sentence continues, so a word like "instructive" would work here. The answer would have to be a positive word consistent with the word "enjoyable."