SENTENCE COMPLETION

Aim : To choose appropriate vocabulary that best suits the context and complete
the sentence.

Task mode : Individual

Procedure : The student has to fill in the blanks and complete the sentence.

Sentence Completion:
Sentence Completion is a common test item in most competitive exams. A sentence contains one or
two blanks (usually), to be filled in using the choices. These questions test your vocabulary and
knowledge of the finer distinctions among words. A good vocabulary can be a great help here. But
you can use many strategies for these questions, even without knowing all the choices.
Strategies for Sentence Completion:
1. Read the Sentence
Use the sentence clues by reading the sentence thoroughly. Two things make a question difficult:
difficult words and sentence structure. If you cannot dissect a sentence to figure out what fits best,
you CANNOT crack the question though you know the word meanings. We need to properly take
apart the sentences and improve our vocabulary.
2. Hints
The hints indicate what should go into the blank for the sentence to make sense. Here’s a test to
locate the right hint: if you change the hint, the choice in the blank MUST be changed. Often, you
can use the hint by putting that word or phrase into the blank itself.
3. Pluses and Minuses
Once you find the word clues, indicate the kind of word you’re looking for with a + (positive
meaning) or – (negative) sign. Also, to indicate synonyms or antonyms, you can use these symbols.
4. Structure Words
Look for words like but, rather, although, however, and, while, but, therefore
They reveal the sentence organization and the hint-blank relationship. They tell you what kinds of
words to look for as they change the thought process in the sentence.
5. Visualize
Before you go to the choices, think of the possible words for the blanks. It will save you from wrong
choices. If you know roughly the KIND of words needed, the elimination is much easier. The word
you visualize doesn’t have to be fancy – a general idea is fine.
This is better than trying out the choices to find out “what sounds good.” It is faster and less prone to
errors.
6. Elimination
Ruling out the wrong choices should be easy now. But remember, BOTH the words have to fit in the
given ORDER for the right answer. If one word is a perfect choice but the other one doesn’t make
sense, the answer is WRONG. DO NOT rule out choices if you don’t know their meanings and
unless you are sure they do not work. If you have doubts, leave and return after checking the other
choices.
7. Improve Your Vocabulary
Improving your vocabulary and usage can help you do better as the words meaning help you find the
right answer.
8. Working Backwards

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The two-blank questions can be easier as you have more opportunities to eliminate wrong choices. If
you can eliminate a choice based on one word, you don’t need to know the other word. Often,
working BACKWARDS i.e. picking the second blank choice first works better.
Pick out the most effective word from the given words to fill in the blank and make a
meaningful sentence.
1. The two brothers look so _________ that it is difficult differentiate them.
a. same b. similar c. identical d. alike
2. My friend has good __________ over English and Hindi.
a. authority b. command c. expertise d. hold
3. Every week, in the office, one hour is __________ to games and sports.
a. conferred b. dedicated c. conceded d. devoted
4. Some people __________ themselves into believing that, they are the only honest and
hardworking employees in the company.
a. keep b. fool c. delude d. force
5. The bus met with an accident and was _____ the traffic, so he had a hard time driving through the
downtown.
a. obstructing b. obviating c. hiding d. disturbing
6. His interest in the study of Forensic pathology is indeed very _______.
a. strong b. large c. deep d. vast
7. The thief had managed to _____ on many occasions, but was finally _____ by the police and
put behind the bars.
a. cheat, robbed b. abscond, kidnapped c. deceive, cheated d. defend, acquitted
e. escape, arrested
8. Rajesh, two of _____ brothers play cricket, wishes to be a coach after his retirement.
a. whom b. which c. them d. whose
9. The _____ effect of suitably chosen books on children's minds should not be under estimated.
a. educational b. baneful c. educative d. boost e. debilitating
10. The wrong values we impart to our children at home are solely to be blamed for the moral
_______ of the society.
a. devaluation b. degradation c. advocacy d. revival
.11. _____ students whether from primary or secondary divisions struggle to understand
mathematics.
a. The large number of b. A large number of c. Large d. More
12. Consumption of alcohol in large quantity _____ judgement.
a. impedes b. imposes c. improves d. impels e. impairs
13. The finance secretary _____ the NGO's funds _____ he was dismissed.
a. misplaced, soon b. misappropriated, so c. rolled, thus d. continued, for
e. pirated, therefore
14. The rail ministry has tied up with corporates to ______ cleanliness and hygiene at various
railway platforms across India.
a. start b. suggest c. maintain d. motivate
15. _______ : _______ of small stones.
a. Tiara, Collar b. Numismatist, Design c. Connoisseur, Seller d. Lithograph, Mound
e. Mosaic, Pattern

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