Sentence Completions

Method

1. 1

   Read the whole sentence first

   Cover the options and read to the end. The clue is often after the blank, not before it.

2. 2

   Predict the word yourself

   Decide what kind of word is missing (noun, verb, adjective) and which way the meaning points: positive or negative, more or less.

3. 3

   Find the signal words

   although, while, and but reverse direction; and, also, and just as keep it. They tell you whether the blank agrees with the rest of the sentence or contrasts with it.

4. 4

   Eliminate, then choose

   Strike options that fail the grammar or the meaning, then reread the sentence with the survivor in place.

Common traps

• Familiar but wrong

  The option you recognise is not necessarily the right one.

• The preposition is part of the answer

  With options like resistant to or account for, the preposition has to fit what follows exactly.

• Near-synonyms

  Two options may look plausible; the difference is usually precision of meaning or a fixed collocation.

Worked examples

1. Example 1

   The blank of the citizens to the new measures was aggressive.

   • (1)excitement
   • (2)reactioncorrect answer
   • (3)cooperation
   • (4)hesitation

   How we get there

   1. 1

      The blank sits between The and of, so it is a noun.

   2. 2

      was aggressive describes something the citizens showed towards the new measures — a response.

   3. 3

      excitement and hesitation are not aggressive here, and cooperation points the other way.

   4. 4

      Answer (2) reaction.

2. Example 2

   In order to save animals belonging to an endangered species, it is often necessary to relocate them, which, unfortunately, blank them to the stress of a new environment.

   • (1)subjectscorrect answer
   • (2)reviews
   • (3)promotes
   • (4)motivates

   How we get there

   1. 1

      After the blank comes them to the stress — a verb taking an object and then to.

   2. 2

      subject someone to something means to expose them to something unwelcome.

   3. 3

      unfortunately confirms the result is negative, which rules out promotes and motivates.

   4. 4

      Answer (1) subjects.