Sentence-completion questions give a sentence with one or two blanks and four word choices. They look like a vocabulary test, but they are really a reading test: the words around the blank tell you exactly what kind of word is missing.
Read for the clue word
Every blank has a clue nearby — a contrast word (but, although), a cause (because, so), or a definition. The clue tells you whether the missing word is positive or negative, and roughly what it must mean.
- Contrast words (but, although, however, yet) signal an opposite to what came before.
- Cause / effect words (because, so, therefore) signal agreement in direction.
- For two blanks, reject any option where even one word fails.
- Predict your own word for the blank first, then match it to the closest option.
How to Approach It
- Read the whole sentence first — the deciding clue often sits at the far end.
- Find the signpost word — contrast words (but, although) flip the meaning; cause words (because, so) keep it.
- Predict before you peek — guess your own word, then find the closest option; this stops a familiar-but-wrong option from tempting you.
- For two blanks, test both — reject any pair in which even one word fails.
Techniques & Methods
- Polarity check — decide from the clue whether the blank needs a positive or negative word, then eliminate every option of the wrong sign (e.g. 'although talented, he was ___' needs a negative word).
- Contrast and cause signals — 'but / although' demand an opposite; 'because / so' demand agreement.
- Roots and prefixes — 'bene-' means good, 'mal-' means bad, '-ous' means full of (e.g. 'benevolent' leans positive -> kind).
- Predict-then-match — form your own answer first, then pick the nearest option.
The Edge
Decide the polarity of the blank — positive or negative — before you read the options. A sentence like 'although he was talented, he remained ___' clearly needs a negative word, so you can cross out every positive option instantly, even without knowing them all.Worked example
Although the plan seemed simple, its execution proved surprisingly ___. (a) easy (b) complex (c) cheap (d) quick
- 'Although' signals a contrast with 'simple', so the blank must mean roughly the opposite of simple.
- Scan for that opposite: 'complex' fits; easy, cheap and quick don't contrast with simple.
Answer: complex (b)
Worked example
The detective's ___ questioning finally made the suspect confess. (a) careless (b) relentless (c) brief (d) gentle
- The questioning forced a confession, so it must have been persistent and unyielding.
- 'Relentless' (never letting up) fits; careless, brief and gentle would not explain the confession.
Answer: relentless (b)
Worked Drills
Worked example
[Set A] She was so ___ that she finished the work in half the usual time. (a) lazy (b) efficient (c) slow (d) careless
- Finishing fast implies efficiency.
Answer: b) efficient
Worked example
[Set A] He spoke so softly that his words were almost ___. (a) loud (b) clear (c) inaudible (d) bold
- Very soft speech is nearly inaudible.
Answer: c) inaudible
Worked example
[Set A] Despite the heavy rain, they ___ to reach the venue on time. (a) failed (b) managed (c) refused (d) forgot
- 'Despite' signals success against the odds — they 'managed'.
Answer: b) managed
Worked example
[Set A] The twins are so alike that it is hard to ___ between them. (a) join (b) distinguish (c) unite (d) collect
- Telling them apart is to distinguish.
Answer: b) distinguish
Worked example
[Set B] Synonym of 'abundant': (a) scarce (b) plentiful (c) empty (d) rare
- Abundant means plentiful.
Answer: b) plentiful
Worked example
[Set B] Antonym of 'generous': (a) kind (b) stingy (c) rich (d) helpful
- The opposite of generous is stingy.
Answer: b) stingy
Worked example
[Set C] Although she was ___, her speech was surprisingly ___. (a) nervous, confident (b) calm, dull (c) happy, sad (d) tired, sleepy
- 'Although' needs a contrast: nervous yet confident.
- Both words must fit — only (a) works.
Answer: a) nervous, confident
Worked example
[Set C] Synonym of 'meticulous': (a) careless (b) thorough (c) lazy (d) hasty
- Meticulous means very thorough.
Answer: b) thorough
Worked example
[Set C] Antonym of 'benevolent': (a) kind (b) generous (c) cruel (d) gentle
- Benevolent (bene = good) means kind; its opposite is cruel.
Answer: c) cruel
Worked example
[Set C] His ___ remarks offended everyone at the meeting. (a) polite (b) tactful (c) caustic (d) warm
- 'Offended' needs a biting, negative word — caustic.
Answer: c) caustic
Worked example
[Set C] The idiom 'to bite the bullet' means: (a) to eat fast (b) to face a hard situation bravely (c) to get hurt (d) to give up
- It means to endure something difficult with courage.
Answer: b) to face a hard situation bravely
Worked example
[Set C] The scientist's theory was so ___ that few could follow it. (a) simple (b) abstruse (c) clear (d) obvious
- Abstruse means hard to understand — few could follow it.
Answer: b) abstruse
⚠ Watch out
- Don't pick a word just because it's familiar — it must fit the clue.
- A contrast word flips the expected meaning, so re-read the signpost before choosing.
- In two-blank questions, both words must work, not just the first one you check.
Takeaways
- Decide positive-or-negative polarity from the clue before reading the options.
- Let the connector set the direction — contrast flips, cause keeps.
- Predict your own word, then match the nearest option; lean on roots when stuck.