NTS - National Testing Service Verbal Reasoning: Sentence Completion Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Despite his initial optimism, the team's continued losses left the new coach feeling _______ and questioning his own strategies.
- elated
- despondent (Correct answer)
- ambivalent
- indifferent
Correct answer: despondent
The sentence sets up a contrast between the coach's initial optimism and his later feelings. The phrase 'continued losses' indicates a negative outcome, so the correct word must reflect a state of disappointment or despair. 'Despondent' means 'in low spirits from loss of hope or courage,' which fits the context perfectly.
Question 2: The ancient manuscript was so _______ that the historians had to handle it with extreme care, fearing it might crumble to dust.
- durable
- resilient
- fragile (Correct answer)
- flexible
Correct answer: fragile
The context clue 'handle it with extreme care, fearing it might crumble to dust' directly points to the manuscript being delicate and easily broken. 'Fragile' is the only word that accurately describes this state.
Question 3: In an attempt to _______ the angry protestors, the mayor agreed to a public meeting, hoping that open dialogue would ease the tension.
- exacerbate
- provoke
- placate (Correct answer)
- ignore
Correct answer: placate
The mayor's action of agreeing to a meeting is intended to calm the situation. 'Placate' means 'to make someone less angry or hostile,' which aligns with the goal of easing tension through dialogue. The other options suggest worsening or ignoring the situation.
Question 4: Her speech was a _______ of disconnected ideas and rambling anecdotes; it lacked the coherence and focus expected from a keynote speaker.
- masterpiece
- compendium
- hodgepodge
- treatise (Correct answer)
Correct answer: treatise
The description 'disconnected ideas and rambling anecdotes' and the explicit mention of lacking 'coherence and focus' point to a confused mixture. 'Hodgepodge' refers to a confused mixture or jumble, which perfectly describes the speech.
Question 5: Because the new evidence completely _______ the defendant's alibi, the prosecution was forced to drop all charges against him.
- undermined
- questioned
- corroborated (Correct answer)
- contradicted
Correct answer: corroborated
The outcome is that the charges were dropped, which is a positive result for the defendant. This means the new evidence must have supported or confirmed his alibi. 'Corroborated' means 'to confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding),' which fits the logical flow of the sentence.
Question 6: The board of directors was known for its _______ decision-making, often spending months debating minor issues while urgent matters were left unattended.
- decisive
- hasty
- prompt
- dilatory (Correct answer)
Correct answer: dilatory
The sentence describes a board that is slow to act, as evidenced by 'spending months debating minor issues.' The word 'dilatory' means 'slow to act' or 'intended to cause delay,' which accurately characterizes their decision-making process.
NTS - National Testing Service Verbal Reasoning: Sentence Completion Questions and Answers 1
Despite his initial optimism, the team's continued losses left the new coach feeling _______ and questioning his own strategies.