Sentence Completion Practice

QuestionAnswer
Despite her outward composure, she felt a growing sense of _____ about the upcoming presentation.
trepidation
Despite her outward composure, she felt a growing sense of trepidation about the upcoming presentation.
The professor's _____ lecture style, marked by excessive digressions, often left students confused.
discursive
The professor's discursive lecture style, marked by excessive digressions, often left students confused.
The once-thriving neighborhood had fallen into _____, with abandoned buildings and overgrown lots on every block.
disrepair
The once-thriving neighborhood had fallen into disrepair, with abandoned buildings and overgrown lots on every block.
The discovery of the ancient manuscript was entirely _____; the archaeologist had been looking for pottery fragments when she found it.
serendipitous
The discovery of the ancient manuscript was entirely serendipitous; the archaeologist had been looking for pottery fragments when she found it.
The CEO's _____ leadership style, in which she made every decision without consulting others, alienated her talented team.
autocratic
The CEO's autocratic leadership style, in which she made every decision without consulting others, alienated her talented team.
The rebels' _____ attitude toward the monarchy was evident in their refusal to recognize the king's authority.
seditious
The rebels' seditious attitude toward the monarchy was evident in their refusal to recognize the king's authority.
Though the evidence was largely _____, consisting of rumors and hearsay rather than facts, it was enough to convince many people.
anecdotal
Though the evidence was largely anecdotal, consisting of rumors and hearsay rather than facts, it was enough to convince many people.
The speaker used _____ language, carefully choosing neutral terms to avoid offending anyone in the diverse audience.
diplomatic
The speaker used diplomatic language, carefully choosing neutral terms to avoid offending anyone in the diverse audience.
The company's _____ growth over the past decade, though slow and steady, has been more sustainable than its competitors' rapid expansion.
incremental
The company's incremental growth over the past decade, though slow and steady, has been more sustainable than its competitors' rapid expansion.
The defendant showed no _____, displaying neither guilt nor regret for his actions during the entire trial.
remorse
The defendant showed no remorse, displaying neither guilt nor regret for his actions during the entire trial.
The professor was known for her _____ teaching methods, preferring to ask probing questions rather than deliver straightforward lectures.
Socratic
The professor was known for her Socratic teaching methods, preferring to ask probing questions rather than deliver straightforward lectures.
The artist's _____ use of color — bright reds against muted grays — created a striking visual contrast.
juxtaposition
The artist's juxtaposition of color — bright reds against muted grays — created a striking visual contrast.
The senator was accused of _____, supporting whichever policy was most popular at the moment regardless of her previous positions.
vacillation
The senator was accused of vacillation, supporting whichever policy was most popular at the moment regardless of her previous positions.
The old man's _____ tales of his youth, though charming, often stretched the truth beyond recognition.
embellished
The old man's embellished tales of his youth, though charming, often stretched the truth beyond recognition.
The manager's _____ approach to deadlines, treating them as mere suggestions, eventually led to his dismissal.
cavalier
The manager's cavalier approach to deadlines, treating them as mere suggestions, eventually led to his dismissal.
The young pianist was a true _____, performing with a maturity and skill that belied her tender age.
prodigy
The young pianist was a true prodigy, performing with a maturity and skill that belied her tender age.
The novel's _____ ending left readers unsatisfied, as none of the major plot threads were resolved.
abrupt
The novel's abrupt ending left readers unsatisfied, as none of the major plot threads were resolved.
After years of failed attempts, the inventor's _____ finally paid off when she secured a major patent.
tenacity
After years of failed attempts, the inventor's tenacity finally paid off when she secured a major patent.
The dictator attempted to _____ all opposition, silencing anyone who dared speak against the regime.
quash
The dictator attempted to quash all opposition, silencing anyone who dared speak against the regime.
The comedian used self-_____ humor, mocking his own flaws to win over the audience.
deprecating
The comedian used self-deprecating humor, mocking his own flaws to win over the audience.
The researcher's findings were _____, casting doubt on decades of previously accepted scientific theory.
iconoclastic
The researcher's findings were iconoclastic, casting doubt on decades of previously accepted scientific theory.
The novel's protagonist undergoes a _____ from naive idealist to hardened pragmatist over the course of the story.
transformation
The novel's protagonist undergoes a transformation from naive idealist to hardened pragmatist over the course of the story.
The playwright's latest work is an obvious _____ of corporate greed, using exaggerated characters to mock business culture.
satire
The playwright's latest work is an obvious satire of corporate greed, using exaggerated characters to mock business culture.
Though she claimed to be neutral, the journalist's _____ was evident in her loaded questions and selective reporting.
bias
Though she claimed to be neutral, the journalist's bias was evident in her loaded questions and selective reporting.
What had initially seemed like a minor disagreement quickly _____ into a full-blown diplomatic crisis between the two nations.
escalated
What had initially seemed like a minor disagreement quickly escalated into a full-blown diplomatic crisis between the two nations.
The lawyer's _____ cross-examination, full of clever traps and leading questions, ultimately undermined the witness's credibility.
cunning
The lawyer's cunning cross-examination, full of clever traps and leading questions, ultimately undermined the witness's credibility.
The biography painted a _____ portrait of the leader, highlighting virtues while ignoring well-documented flaws.
hagiographic
The biography painted a hagiographic portrait of the leader, highlighting virtues while ignoring well-documented flaws.
The decline of the empire was not sudden but _____, occurring so slowly that few noticed the changes within their own lifetimes.
gradual
The decline of the empire was not sudden but gradual, occurring so slowly that few noticed the changes within their own lifetimes.
The billionaire was known for his _____, donating vast sums to hospitals, universities, and disaster relief efforts.
largesse
The billionaire was known for his largesse, donating vast sums to hospitals, universities, and disaster relief efforts.
The _____ between the two scientific theories remained unresolved for decades, with each camp citing contradictory evidence.
dichotomy
The dichotomy between the two scientific theories remained unresolved for decades, with each camp citing contradictory evidence.
Critics praised the director's _____ to the source material, noting that the film faithfully preserved the novel's themes and characters.
fidelity
Critics praised the director's fidelity to the source material, noting that the film faithfully preserved the novel's themes and characters.
The editor demanded _____ in every article, requiring writers to verify all facts with at least two independent sources.
rigor
The editor demanded rigor in every article, requiring writers to verify all facts with at least two independent sources.
The discovery of the diary was _____, revealing private thoughts that the historical figure had never intended for public consumption.
revelatory
The discovery of the diary was revelatory, revealing private thoughts that the historical figure had never intended for public consumption.
The candidate tried to _____ herself from her predecessor's unpopular policies, but voters remained skeptical.
dissociate
The candidate tried to dissociate herself from her predecessor's unpopular policies, but voters remained skeptical.
The philosopher's argument rested on a _____ that most people would accept without question: that all humans desire happiness.
premise
The philosopher's argument rested on a premise that most people would accept without question: that all humans desire happiness.
His _____ demeanor at the funeral was appropriate; he spoke softly, dressed somberly, and offered quiet comfort to the grieving family.
solemn
His solemn demeanor at the funeral was appropriate; he spoke softly, dressed somberly, and offered quiet comfort to the grieving family.
The professor was a famous _____, refusing to accept any claim that could not be proven through observable evidence.
empiricist
The professor was a famous empiricist, refusing to accept any claim that could not be proven through observable evidence.
The CEO's _____ compensation package, totaling over fifty million dollars, drew sharp criticism from shareholders.
exorbitant
The CEO's exorbitant compensation package, totaling over fifty million dollars, drew sharp criticism from shareholders.
She could not hide her _____ when the award was given to a far less qualified colleague instead of her.
indignation
She could not hide her indignation when the award was given to a far less qualified colleague instead of her.
The hermit lived a life of _____, retreating from all social contact to a remote cabin in the mountains.
solitude
The hermit lived a life of solitude, retreating from all social contact to a remote cabin in the mountains.
The philosopher argued that _____ is the root of all moral action, as those who feel nothing for others have no reason to act ethically.
compassion
The philosopher argued that compassion is the root of all moral action, as those who feel nothing for others have no reason to act ethically.
The explorer's journal chronicled the _____ conditions of the Arctic expedition: blinding snowstorms, frostbite, and dwindling supplies.
harrowing
The explorer's journal chronicled the harrowing conditions of the Arctic expedition: blinding snowstorms, frostbite, and dwindling supplies.
The treaty was praised as a _____ achievement, bringing together nations that had been at war for generations.
landmark
The treaty was praised as a landmark achievement, bringing together nations that had been at war for generations.
The charity's director was accused of _____, using donated funds for personal travel and luxury purchases.
embezzlement
The charity's director was accused of embezzlement, using donated funds for personal travel and luxury purchases.
The newspaper's editorial board called the proposed tax cut _____, arguing it would benefit only the wealthiest citizens at everyone else's expense.
inequitable
The newspaper's editorial board called the proposed tax cut inequitable, arguing it would benefit only the wealthiest citizens at everyone else's expense.
The poet's _____ verse, rich with allusions to mythology and philosophy, rewards careful and repeated reading.
dense
The poet's dense verse, rich with allusions to mythology and philosophy, rewards careful and repeated reading.
The accused maintained her _____ throughout the trial, insisting that the charges were completely fabricated.
innocence
The accused maintained her innocence throughout the trial, insisting that the charges were completely fabricated.
The _____ wealth gap between the richest and poorest citizens has been widening for decades, creating dangerous social tension.
stark
The stark wealth gap between the richest and poorest citizens has been widening for decades, creating dangerous social tension.
What was once considered a _____ theory in physics has now become widely accepted thanks to new experimental data.
fringe
What was once considered a fringe theory in physics has now become widely accepted thanks to new experimental data.
The diplomat's _____ response to the provocation showed remarkable restraint and prevented further conflict.
measured
The diplomat's measured response to the provocation showed remarkable restraint and prevented further conflict.
The old building's _____ facade, with its crumbling bricks and shattered windows, hinted at a once-grand architectural past.
dilapidated
The old building's dilapidated facade, with its crumbling bricks and shattered windows, hinted at a once-grand architectural past.
The author's _____ portrayal of small-town life captured both its charm and its suffocating limitations.
nuanced
The author's nuanced portrayal of small-town life captured both its charm and its suffocating limitations.
The evidence presented was entirely _____, based on indirect observations rather than direct proof.
circumstantial
The evidence presented was entirely circumstantial, based on indirect observations rather than direct proof.
The teacher tried to _____ a love of reading in her students by filling the classroom with books of every genre.
instill
The teacher tried to instill a love of reading in her students by filling the classroom with books of every genre.
The once-mighty corporation had become _____, weighed down by bureaucracy and unable to adapt to changing markets.
moribund
The once-mighty corporation had become moribund, weighed down by bureaucracy and unable to adapt to changing markets.
The researcher's _____ hypothesis, though based on limited data, proved remarkably accurate when tested on a larger scale.
tentative
The researcher's tentative hypothesis, though based on limited data, proved remarkably accurate when tested on a larger scale.
The historian argued that the revolution was not the result of a single event but rather a _____ of social, economic, and political forces.
confluence
The historian argued that the revolution was not the result of a single event but rather a confluence of social, economic, and political forces.
Rather than being direct, the spokesperson resorted to _____, using vague language to avoid giving a concrete commitment.
prevarication
Rather than being direct, the spokesperson resorted to prevarication, using vague language to avoid giving a concrete commitment.
The new legislation was designed to _____ the gap between educational opportunity in wealthy and disadvantaged districts.
bridge
The new legislation was designed to bridge the gap between educational opportunity in wealthy and disadvantaged districts.
The teacher praised the student's ability to _____ complex information into clear and accessible summaries.
distill
The teacher praised the student's ability to distill complex information into clear and accessible summaries.
Critics dismissed the film as _____, a sentimental and overly emotional attempt to manipulate the audience into tears.
maudlin
Critics dismissed the film as maudlin, a sentimental and overly emotional attempt to manipulate the audience into tears.
The editorial warned that the country was drifting toward _____, with power concentrated in the hands of a wealthy few.
oligarchy
The editorial warned that the country was drifting toward oligarchy, with power concentrated in the hands of a wealthy few.
The ambassador's _____ departure from the summit signaled a serious deterioration in relations between the two countries.
precipitous
The ambassador's precipitous departure from the summit signaled a serious deterioration in relations between the two countries.
The singer's voice had a _____ quality that lingered in the listener's mind long after the performance had ended.
haunting
The singer's voice had a haunting quality that lingered in the listener's mind long after the performance had ended.
The CEO attempted to _____ the blame for the company's failures, pointing fingers at market conditions rather than her own poor decisions.
deflect
The CEO attempted to deflect the blame for the company's failures, pointing fingers at market conditions rather than her own poor decisions.
The once-vibrant downtown area had become _____, with empty storefronts and deserted streets where shoppers once thronged.
desolate
The once-vibrant downtown area had become desolate, with empty storefronts and deserted streets where shoppers once thronged.
The new employee's _____ questions revealed a curious mind that was eager to understand every aspect of the business.
probing
The new employee's probing questions revealed a curious mind that was eager to understand every aspect of the business.
The writer's _____ memoir stripped away all pretense, revealing uncomfortable truths about her family and herself.
unflinching
The writer's unflinching memoir stripped away all pretense, revealing uncomfortable truths about her family and herself.
The company's _____ marketing campaign, which exaggerated the product's benefits, eventually triggered a consumer backlash.
hyperbolic
The company's hyperbolic marketing campaign, which exaggerated the product's benefits, eventually triggered a consumer backlash.
The professor challenged her students to move beyond _____ thinking and consider alternative perspectives they had never encountered.
conventional
The professor challenged her students to move beyond conventional thinking and consider alternative perspectives they had never encountered.