1 · What the question looks like
The second half of the Verbal Reasoning section is sentence completions. Each sentence has one or two blanks, and the sentence itself contains a clue that points to the answer.
Example: "Known for her ______, the mediator never took sides in an argument." The clue "never took sides" points to impartiality or fairness.
2 · Predict before you look
Cover the choices and fill the blank with your own word. A plain word is fine: "careful," "fake," "not settled."
Then pick the choice closest to your word. Predicting first keeps an impressive-sounding choice from pulling you in.
3 · Restatement
Often the sentence says the same thing twice. "The report was ______: it left out every fact that might embarrass the company." The part after the colon explains the blank: slanted or selective.
Colons, semicolons, dashes, and phrases like "in other words" or "that is" usually introduce a restatement.
4 · Contrast
although, though, but, yet, however, despite, rather than, far from, unlike, while signal a turn. "Far from being ______, the new footbridge swayed in even a light breeze." The blank is the opposite of swaying: sturdy.
5 · Cause and effect
because, since, so, therefore, as a result, consequently link a reason to a result. "Because the trail map was ______, the hikers tried three different paths before they found the lake." Getting lost comes from a map that was unclear or misleading.
6 · Degree words
not only … but also, even, in fact, and downright call for a stronger version of an idea. "The kitchen was not just untidy but downright ______." You need something stronger than untidy: filthy.
7 · Positive or negative
Decide whether the blank needs a good or a bad word, then cross out the choices with the wrong charge. "Reviewers ______ the album, calling it lazy and repetitive." Negative: derided, not "acclaimed."
8 · Two blanks
Decide how the blanks relate. Do they agree ("the ______ host was ______ to every guest") or contrast ("the neighborhood, once ______, is now ______")?
Work on the blank with the stronger clue and cross out every pair whose word fails there. Then check both words in the sentence before you choose.
9 · Traps
A choice may belong to the topic but not fit the clue: in a sentence about an election, "political" can tempt you when the clue is about honesty.
A choice may also be the right idea at the wrong strength. If the clue says "slightly annoyed," a word like "furious" is too strong.
10 · Read it back
Read the whole sentence with your answer in place. It should sound natural and say exactly what the clue supports, nothing more.
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