Sentence Completion - Verbal Ability Questions and Answers
Sentence completion is a type of question found in the Verbal Ability section of many competitive tests and exams. The aim is to determine the ability to choose the right word or words to complete a sentence. To answer this type of question as quickly and accurately as possible, we should practice strategies such as making educated guesses and using context clues to narrow our options.
Practice Quiz
Approaches for Sentence Completion
Here are some strategies for sentence completion:
- Read the Sentence: Analyze the sentence carefully, looking for clues in its structure and vocabulary. This helps determine the most suitable option even if the exact word is unfamiliar.
- Hints: Look for contextual hints in the sentence that guide the correct word. Verify your choice by inserting it into the sentence.
- Positive/Negative Significance: Identify whether the clues suggest a positive or negative word, helping to determine synonyms or antonyms.
- Structure Words: Pay attention to words like but, however, although, and consequently, which clarify sentence relationships and the role of the missing word.
- Visualize: Think about possible words before choosing, helping you avoid poor decisions and narrow down options.
- Elimination: Rule out incorrect options based on their fit with the sentence. If unsure, move on and reconsider the choice later.
- Working Backwards: In two-blank questions, eliminate incorrect options first. Working backwards often simplifies the decision process.
Tips and Tricks
1. Sentence Completion:
- Requires vocabulary and logical reasoning.
- If unfamiliar with a word, eliminate known wrong options first, then guess.
- Focus on context and reasoning rather than just vocabulary.
2. Paragraph Completion:
- Read the entire paragraph to grasp the main idea.
- Choose the sentence that fits logically, maintains coherence, and follows grammar rules (tense, structure, vocabulary).
- Verify by rereading the paragraph to ensure flow and correctness.
Key Approach: Prioritize context, logic, and grammar over rote vocabulary.
Solved Questions on Sentence Completion
Fill in the Blanks with the correct option.
Q 1. Despite studying for hours, ___________.
a) he still failed the test
b) he got an A+ on the exam
c) he decided to skip the test
d) he didn't feel confident enough to take the test
e) he aced the test with flying colors
Answer: a) he still failed the test
Q 2. She arrived at the airport ___________.
a) before the flight had landed
b) after the flight had left
c) just in time to catch her flight
d) without her luggage
e) with a delay of several hours
Answer: c) just in time to catch her flight
Q 3. The teacher asked the students to ___________.
a) memorize the entire textbook
b) complete the assignment by tomorrow
c) skip the next class
d) write a book report on their favorite movie
e) quit the class
Answer: b) complete the assignment by tomorrow
Q 4. The new restaurant in town ___________.
a) has already become very popular
b) is struggling to attract customers
c) serves terrible food
d) doesn't have any vegetarian options
e) has been shut down by the health department
Answer: a) has already become very popular
Q 5. He couldn't decide which shirt to wear to the party, ___________.
a) so he wore them all
b) so he asked his mom to choose for him
c) so he didn't go to the party
d) so he flipped a coin
e) so he ended up wearing a t-shirt and jeans
Answer: d) so he flipped a coin
Q 6. The company's profits ___________.
a) have been steadily increasing
b) have been steadily decreasing
c) have remained the same for years
d) have been affected by the pandemic
e) have never been disclosed to the public
Answer: a) have been steadily increasing
Q 7. She walked into the room ___________.
a) with a big smile on her face
b) with tears in her eyes
c) carrying a heavy backpack
d) wearing a hat and sunglasses
e) yelling and screaming
Answer: b) with tears in her eyes
Q 8. The concert was cancelled ___________.
a) due to bad weather
b) because the band missed their flight
c) because the tickets sold out too quickly
d) because of a technical issue
e) because the venue was too smallll
Answer: a) due to bad weather
Q 9. He didn't like the movie ___________.
a) because it was too long
b) because it was too short
c) because it had a happy ending
d) because it had a sad ending
e) because it was a comedy
Answer: a) because it was too long
Q 10. She was able to finish the marathon ___________.
a) despite the hot weather
b) because she cheated
c) because she got a ride in a car
d) because she was injured
e) because she gave up halfway through
Answer: a) despite the hot weather
Solved Questions on Paragraph Completion
Directions ( Q 11-15 )Choose the correct option to complete the paragraph:
Q 11. This seems even more crucial today given the lack of boundary between home and the outside world. When your authors were growing up, the world beyond their local community only came through the newspapers, radio, and television, with access to the latter two time-limited. Now, with mobile phones, iPads, and other devices, there are no boundaries and few time limits. _____________________________________.
a) The world, for good and bad, is fully accessible, and the primacy of the messages delivered at home is under more challenge.
b) This act of rebellion changed the course of Harry's life, enabling him to get an education and do something other than walking a predetermined path.
c) Like Ellen, Harry was also subject to a prophecy.
d) Of our interviewers, Ellen was the one who seemed to have been chosen by destiny as a child.
e) None of the above.
Answer: Option- (i) is correct, it suits the meaning and context of the paragraph.
Q 12. Beyond talking, there is also the question of what is modelled at home. With the rapid growth of the number of women in the workforce and the lessening of the number of women who are continuously at home full-time, many of us would intuitively assume that domestic duties are now more equitably shared. _______________________________________. The peak difference occurs in the age range of 35 to 44 years old, a time when families may need to look after children and spend time caring for ageing parents.
a) Given how grim much of the rest of Ellen's childhood story is, it is a relief to know there was also some fun and humour.
b) As well as being formally briefed about the team working, every day she overheard something new and intriguing.
c) But the statistics show that there is still quite some way to go. A time-use study conducted in the United States in 2018 reveals that, on average, women spend two hours a day more than men on unpaid house and care work.
d) Partly, it has happened because books and articles on women have caught our eyes.
e) None of the above.
Answer: Option- (c) is correct, it suits the meaning and context of the paragraph.
Q 13. At this stage of life, women are performing 8.8 hours a day of free work, while men are contributing 5.2 hours. Even when men and women both work full time, there is a 22 per cent difference in the time devoted to unpaid domestic and caring work. A look at who manages healthcare needs at home also shows substantial differences. ___________________________________________. When a child is too unwell to go to school, 40 per cent of mothers indicate that they are the adult who takes time off work to look after them, whereas only 3 per cent of fathers say that they shoulder that responsibility.
a) Informing these best guesses were two sources of information: our own life experiences and our understanding of the academic studies about women's leadership.
b) Hypothesis might seem like an unusual word to use, but it had been on our lips since we first began to discuss writing this book.
c) Our shared starting point was a set of best guesses about what might explain the numerical lack of women leaders and the ways we observed that they were treated differently from men.
d) Around 80 per cent of mothers say that they are the parent who will take children to medical appointments, and over 75 per cent say that they do the follow-up, like ensuring that medication is taken.
e) None of the above.
Answer: Option- (d) is correct, it suits the meaning and context of the paragraph.
Q 14. It might be a hard message to absorb for fathers who are not currently regularly wielding a mop, washing the dishes or staying home to look after a sick child, but at-home modelling about sharing domestic duties is another aspect of creating an enabling, non-stereotyped environment. ________________________________________.
a) Research has shown that, when asked what they want to be when they grow up, girls were less likely to confine their answers to stereotypically female occupations if they had a dad who not only said he believed in a more equal distribution of domestic labour but did more tasks at home.
b) A striking feature of Joyce's recitation of her life story is the absence of references to her mother.
c) Harry reminds us, though, that even in families where girls are nurtured and urged to aim high, poverty can flatten everything.
d) Notably, this spirit of ambition for her was also in her grandmother.
e) None of the above.
Answer: Option- (a) is correct, it suits the meaning and context of the paragraph.
Q 15. __________________________________________________________. A family that creates the kind of free-from-gender-limits environment our women leaders grew up in, will be empowering her to be a leader.
a) This was a decision with formidable ramifications. In her ethnic group, bearing the name of her grandmother is more than symbolic.
b) Consequently, her grandmother's will for Joyce to become something else, to have a different life, was strong.
c) The ideas were suggested by Joyce, many of these things did not happen.
d) 'You go girl' is a proven hypothesis and a real lesson for the parents and other relatives of young girls.
e) None of the above.
Answer: Option- (d) is correct, it suits the meaning and context of the paragraph.
Practice Questions on Sentence and Paragraph Completion
Q 1. Although he practiced for weeks, __________.
a) he didn't perform well in the competition
b) he won the first prize
c) he became the crowd's favorite
d) he got distracted during the event
e) he decided to give up practicing
Q 2. They worked together on the project __________.
a) until the deadline passed
b) and completed it ahead of schedule
c) but one of them dropped out
d) and presented it successfully to the clients
e) only to realize they had made a major mistake
Q 3. She called her friend __________.
a) to cancel their meeting
b) and invited her to join the party
c) to let her know she was running late
d) but didn't get a response
e) because she had lost her way
Q 4. Despite the heavy rain, __________.
a) they managed to complete the marathon
b) the event was called off
c) they canceled all outdoor activities
d) they decided to leave early
e) the traffic was unaffected
Q 5. He received a promotion __________.
a) after working for five years in the company
b) because he was always on time
c) but he didn't enjoy the new responsibilities
d) but he still felt uncertain about his future
e) and became the manager of the department
Q 6. With the rise of social media, people are now more connected than ever, and information travels at an unprecedented speed. _________________________________.
a) This has led to a shift in how people consume news, often prioritizing speed over accuracy.
b) The rapid spread of misinformation has made it harder for people to trust what they read online.
c) Many individuals now feel overwhelmed by the constant flow of information and struggle to filter out what’s important.
d) As a result, many individuals now rely more on their personal networks than traditional news outlets.
e) None of the above.
Q 7. The digital divide has grown in recent years, with access to technology not being equally distributed across different socioeconomic groups. _________________________________.
a) This has led to a widening gap in opportunities for those without reliable internet or devices.
b) However, many communities are finding creative ways to bridge this gap.
c) Despite these challenges, efforts to improve access to technology continue to grow.
d) In some countries, the digital divide is narrowing as governments invest in infrastructure.
e) None of the above.
Q 8. While education systems across the globe have faced challenges due to the pandemic, many have adopted online learning as a solution. _________________________________.
a) Despite the technical challenges, some schools are successfully integrating new tools to support their students.
b) In some cases, the shift to online learning has been a smooth transition for students and teachers alike.
c) This shift, however, has not been without its challenges, particularly for students without access to the necessary technology.
d) The pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to assess the effectiveness of digital learning in a variety of environments.
e) None of the above.
Q 9. As climate change becomes an increasingly urgent issue, many governments have pledged to reduce carbon emissions. _________________________________.
a) While these promises are a step in the right direction, implementation has been slower than expected.
b) However, some countries are already showing significant progress in their efforts to reduce emissions.
c) As a result, many experts fear that global warming may reach irreversible levels sooner than predicted.
d) Despite the challenges, there is growing support for renewable energy initiatives worldwide.
e) None of the above.
Q 10. In recent years, there has been a shift towards more sustainable business practices, with many companies prioritizing eco-friendly products and services. _________________________________.
a) The growing emphasis on sustainability has led to the creation of numerous environmental certifications.
b) However, many businesses are still struggling to make the necessary changes to their operations.
c) Despite these efforts, there is a long way to go before sustainability is fully integrated into all industries.
d) This movement has been driven by consumer demand for greener alternatives and growing awareness of environmental issues.
e) None of the above
Answer Key
- (a) he didn't perform well in the competition
- (b) and completed it ahead of schedule
- (c) to let her know she was running late
- (a) they managed to complete the marathon
- (a) after working for five years in the company
- (a) is correct, This has led to a shift in how people consume news, often prioritizing speed over accuracy.
- (a) is correct, This has led to a widening gap in opportunities for those without reliable internet or devices.
- (c) is correct, This shift, however, has not been without its challenges, particularly for students without access to the necessary technology.
- (a) is correct, While these promises are a step in the right direction, implementation has been slower than expected.
- (d) is correct, This movement has been driven by consumer demand for greener alternatives and growing awareness of environmental issues.
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