SATs Word Choice & Sentence Clarity 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which word best completes the sentence? 'The scientist's findings were _____, contradicting decades of established research.'
- revolutionary (Correct answer)
- ordinary
- repetitive
- predictable
Correct answer: revolutionary
'Revolutionary' correctly conveys that the findings overturned existing knowledge.
Question 2: Choose the clearest version: 'After reviewing all the data, the committee made its decision.'
- After reviewing all the data, the committee made its decision. (Correct answer)
- The committee, after it reviewed all of the data that existed, made its decision then.
- Its decision was made by the committee after all the data was reviewed.
- After the data was reviewed by the committee, a decision was made by them.
Correct answer: After reviewing all the data, the committee made its decision.
The first option is direct, uses active voice, and avoids redundancy.
Question 3: Which sentence uses the word 'infer' correctly?
- The detective inferred from the footprints that the suspect was tall. (Correct answer)
- The author inferred her feelings openly throughout the novel.
- He inferred his opinion during the speech.
- She inferred the audience by waving at them.
Correct answer: The detective inferred from the footprints that the suspect was tall.
'Infer' means to draw a conclusion from evidence, as shown in the first option.
Question 4: Select the most precise word for the blank: 'The mayor's speech was _____, covering everything from taxes to education.'
- comprehensive (Correct answer)
- vague
- brief
- irrelevant
Correct answer: comprehensive
'Comprehensive' means covering all aspects, which fits a speech addressing many topics.
Question 5: Which revision makes this sentence clearest? 'The reason for the delay was because the parts were missing.'
- The delay occurred because the parts were missing. (Correct answer)
- The reason for the delay was due to the fact that the parts were missing.
- The delay was because of a reason which was the missing parts.
- Because the parts were missing was the reason for the delay.
Correct answer: The delay occurred because the parts were missing.
'The reason was because' is redundant; 'occurred because' is concise and correct.
Question 6: Which word is NOT a synonym for 'ambiguous'?
- definitive (Correct answer)
- unclear
- vague
- equivocal
Correct answer: definitive
'Definitive' means clear and certain, the opposite of ambiguous.
Question 7: Identify the sentence with the clearest subject-verb relationship.
- The board of directors has approved the new policy. (Correct answer)
- The board of directors, along with several advisors, have approved it.
- It was approved, the new policy, by the board.
- The new policy, the board of directors approved.
Correct answer: The board of directors has approved the new policy.
The first sentence has a clear subject ('board') and matching singular verb ('has approved').
SATs Word Choice & Sentence Clarity 2
Which word best completes the sentence? 'The scientist's findings were _____, contradicting decades of established research.'