SENTENCE

COMPLETION
 Strategies for Sentence Completion:
 Read the Sentence. Use the sentence clues by reading the sentence thoroughly. ...
 Hints. The hints indicate what should go into the blank for the sentence to make
sense. ...
 Pluses and Minuses. ...
 Structure Words. ...
 Visualize. ...
 Elimination. ...
 Improve Your Vocabulary. ...
 Working Backwards.

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.

EXAMPLES

A. Neem has _______qualities and in many clinical trials, doctor have saved countless lives
by using raw Neem leaves on serious wounds.

A. remedial
B. flavouring
C. inferior
D. doubtful
E. notorious

We need a positive word with a “life saving”-like meaning. Choices C, D, and E are negative
and are ruled out. You may be unaware of remedial but you know that “flavouring” doesn’t
mean anything like life saving. Therefore, the answer is remedial.
B. The much-hated bill sparked off a wave of public ________which could not_________by
the concessions the British announced.

A. enthusiasm…dampened
B. clamour…misled
C. curiosity…complemented
D. adoration…channelized
E. discontent…abated

Much-hated indicates a negative choice for the first blank indicating anger or protest here.
The second one needs harder thinking; even the British concessions did not “lessen” the
public anger. Once you are clear about the word SHADES needed, find the words similar to
the ones you had visualized.
Vocabulary-based Topics

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

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.

Keep the above points in mind while tackling sentence completion questions.

Select the correct option that fills the blanks to make the sentence meaningfully complete

1. The teacher announced in the exam hall, ‘All you have ………… hour‘.

1) is an

2) are an

3) is the

4)a

Correct Option is: 1

Explanation: When hour is used we should use an, in addition to that its not a plural
when expressed in hour, so is an the best option

2. Months have passed and no action …………. been taken for a dowry harassment case
filed against the in-laws

1) has

2) have

3) had

4) none

Correct Option is: 1

Explanation: "Has been" and "have been" are both in the present perfect tense. "Has
been" is used in the third-person singular and "have been" is used for first- and second-
person singular and all plural uses. The present perfect tense refers to an action that
began at some time in the past and is still in progress.

3. Aspirations of minorities cannot be kept in check ....... the gun.

1) with

2) through
3) by

4) from

Correct Option is: 1

Explanation: With supports the material better

4. A person‘s shadow _____always beside him/her,no matter what.

1) is

2) stays

3) walks

4) be

Correct Option is: 3

Explanation : Verb suits best for this

5. The room is more expensive because it has a spectacular view ………….. the beach

1) of

2) from

3) for

4) to

Correct Option is: 4

Explanation: Here the view is focussed to destination. so to is best option

6. The note book used by _______ Ever green society are made by recycled paper.

1) a

2) an

3) the

4) all

Correct Option is: 2

Explanation: Vowel is ever green, so use an

7. What were the servants dogs doing when the robbery _______________ place
1) Take

2) Took

3) Was in

4) Were in

Correct Option is: 2

Explanation: Past tense so use took

8. Nothing ......... convinced her to cancel her trip to goa.

1) could have

2) have

3) had

4) has been

Correct Option is: 1

Explanation: Its a predictable statement , so use could have

9. His coach tells me that he ______ in the league since he was sixteen years old

1) has played

2) will be playing

3) is playing

4) has been playing

Correct Option is: 4

Explanation: Its continuous so use has been playing .

10. She studied _____ entire chapter for an hour before the examination

1) In the

2) the

3) of the

4) for the

Correct Option is: 2

Explanation: The is used because of its preciseness.

11. After being promoted, she is not bothered _____the office gossip about her private
life

1) for

2) in

3) from

4) by

Correct Option is: 4

Explanation: By is used because the main subject is gossip, so using by can make the
sentence complete

12. The meeting in the office was held behind ______doors

1) close up

2) closing

3) close

4) closed

Correct Option is: 4

Explanation: Its a past tense

13. Rima is afraid of travelling by flight as she fears during take ______and landing

1) on

2) up

3) off

4) away

Correct Option is: 3

Explanation: When flight is used take off is best option.

14. There was a lot of cheating__________ the test in the class

1) in

2) at

3) around

4) during
Correct Option is: 4

Explanation: During is the duration . Test is a duration in this sentence

15. Had to look up for another hotel as Hotel Paradise did not have any rooms. They
were completely ___________

1) booked

2) vacant

3) closed

4) filled

Correct Option is: 1

Explanation: If hotel rooms are not available, its booked

16. Microsoft created a revolution ________ making the personal computer affordable
for the middleclass.

1) Following

2) After

3) By

4) Through

Correct Option is: 3

Explanation: The main subject is making the personal computer affordable so use by

17. We need more effective leaders and therefore we need to groom ______ leaders.

1) Enhanced

2) Good

3) Better

4) Best

Correct Option is: 3

Explanation: Comparatively better is suited option

18. The rival team won the match _______they played well

1) but
2) because

3) and

4) for

Correct Option is: 2

Explanation: Reason is explained by using because

19. All the efforts of the batsman went ______________vain as the bowlers failed to
perform well. 1) in

2) and

3) for

4) off

Correct Option is: 1

Explanation: When the word vain is used in is best option

20. Mentally he ……….. not been the same after his near fatal accident

1) Has

2) Was

3) Have

4) Is

5) Had

Correct Option is: 1

Explanation : "Has been" and "have been" are both in the present perfect tense. "Has
been" is used in the third-person singular and "have been" is used for first- and second-
person singular and all plural uses. The present perfect tense refers to an action that
began at some time in the past and is still in progress.

21. USA based industry experts should focus more _______the agriculture sector from a
farmer's viewpoint.

1) to

2) at

3) on

4) for
5) in

Correct Option is: 3

Explanation: On : On (refers a surface of something)- I kept the dishes on the dining

table. On (specifies days and dates)- I will come on Monday.

22. Today ___________ the inaugural day of the pub, the drinks were served free of
cost.

1) Was

2) Been

3) Is

4) Being

Correct Option is: 1

Explanation : Past tense

23. The business ________ incurring losses since early September

1) Is being

2) Had being

3) Has been

4) Is been

Correct Option is: 3

Explanation: "Has been" and "have been" are both in the present perfect tense. "Has
been" is used in the third-person singular and "have been" is used for first- and second-
person singular and all plural uses. The present perfect tense refers to an action that
began at some time in the past and is still in progress.

24. The bellboy is responsible _____ the morning wakeup calls.

1) to

2) for

3) of

4) in

Correct Option is: 2

Explanation: The important point is that for is used to specify a period of time. For can
be used when talking about the past, present or future. Here are three example
sentences that use similar vocabulary, but use different verb tenses. Regardless of the
verb tense, the preposition for is still followed by a period of time.

25. But now a few of them are being _________ to offer tourists a comfortable stay in an
ecological setting.

1) Spruced

2) Spruced up

3) Spruced on

4) Spruced at

Correct Option is: 2

Explanation: Definition of spruce up. : to make (someone or something) look cleaner,

neater, or more attractive We spruced up the room with a fresh coat of paint. I need
to spruce myself up a bit before we go out to dinner.

26. She has __________ in chennai, since she was 8.

1) been living

2) live

3) lives

4) lived

Correct Option is: 1

Explanation: It depends on the context and what you want to say. "I have been living in
London for five years"

27. Countries which _________ still undergoing the economic processes ____________
known as developing countries.

1) were, are

2) are, were

3) are, are

4) is, are

5) are, is

Correct Option is: 3

Explanation: Present Tense

28. He_________the position of group leader because of his effective leadership skills.

1) Got

2) Get

3) Gotten

4) Getting

Correct Option is: 1

Explanation: Past tense of get is got

29. ____ the shirt was washed twice, still he refused to wear it

1) Though

2) Because

3) However

4) Since

5) While

Correct Option is: 1

Explanation: though means Despite the fact that; although.

30. Salim could not make it to the party as he ______________ to finish his assignment.

1) Has

2) Had

3) Have

4) want

Correct Option is: 1

Explanation: 1. 'Has' is the third person singular present tense of 'have' while 'had' is
the third person singular past tense and past participle of 'have. ... Both are transitive
verbs, but 'has' is used in sentences that talk about the present while 'had' is used in
sentences that talk about the past.

31. He had no interest in ______ obligatory dinners and social events.

1) Attend
2) Attending

3) Attends

4) Attend to

Correct Option is: 2

Explanation: present continuous

32. Sunitha has flair _______ music

1) At

2) To

3) With

4) For

Correct Option is: 4

Explanation: The important point is that for is used to specify a period of time. For can
be used when talking about the past, present or future. Here are three example
sentences that use similar vocabulary, but use different verb tenses. Regardless of the
verb tense, the preposition for is still followed by a period of time.

33. The glass lay __________ on the table

1) Not touched

2) Untouched

3) Untouching

4) Not touch

Correct Option is: 2

Explanation: Antonym of touched is untouched

34. All members will have a fixed five year ……………

1) Tenet

2) Tenor

3) Tenure

4) Tenement
Correct Option is: 3

Explanation: Tenure is an agreement

35. The car is in such terrible state ………………. It can cause serious damage.

1) thus

2) since

3) that

4) so

Correct Option is: 3

Explanation: That makes it continuous