Sentence Completion

Sentence completions test the skill to use the information observed in complex and incomplete sentences in order to correctly complete them. It tests a candidate’s vocabulary power and skill to follow the logic of sentences. These sentences are often quite complex.

Sentence completion questions under the English language, are an important part of Competitive exams for various categories like Bank PO, MBA, CA, RRB, TOFEL, etc. These questions test the candidate’s vocabulary and knowledge of the finer distinctions among words.

What are the 4 types of sentence completion?

There are possibly four types of sentence completions:

Restatement:

These are the words that we use to amplify the importance of the first clause or add more information to the already stated facts. In other words, in fact, that is, etc.

Example:

The pickpocket was a trickster, in other words, a ______. 

Answer will be knave or scoundrel, which restates “trickster,”

The boy was too lazy to even move about during the day, in other words, he was ________.

a. slumber

b. prompt

c. trickster

d. lethargic

Answer – Lethargic.

Since we use the phrase ‘in other words’ it means that we need to use a word that re-states the already given description. So lethargic can be the answer.

Comparison: Containing the words such as likewise, similarly, and, just as, as like as, etc.

The words that we use in this type reflect a comparison between two subjects in the two clauses.

Example: 

Jack was cleared of all charges; similarly, Jill was ______.

Here we have to compare ‘cleared of all charges’ with the suitable word, and hence vindicated is the answer.

Just as we hope to be forgiven, so we should ______ others.

a. burden

b. forgive

c. criticize

d. conspire

Answer:

Here, we have used the comparison word, ‘just as’ which means that the second clause should have a word that presents a similar meaning in the first clause. So we use ‘forgive’.

Contrast: Containing the words such as though, although, however, despite, but, yet, on the other hand, but, however, despite, or, on the contrary, etc.

This type comprises the words that reflect a stark and definite contrast between two or more clauses.

Example: Although the tiger is a solitary beast, its cousin the lion is a ______ wild animal.

Here answer should be in contrast with “solitary”. Therefore, gregarious or sociable are possible answers.

Although her son is a happy to go soul, her daughter is _______ and grumpy

a. rude

b. peaceful

c. merry

d. casual

Answer:

Here the answer should be ‘rude’ because we are presenting a contrast between the natures of her son and daughter. While the son is peaceful and happy, the daughter is rude and grumpy.

 

Cause and effect: Containing words such as this, therefore, consequently, because of, etc. Also contains phrases such as due to, as a result, leads to, etc.

The Cause and Effect type comprises words that act as a consequential evidence of some previous action or cause or present an impactful situation post an action.

Example: A truck stole her parking spot; consequently, Rocky’s ______ look showed her displeasure.

Here answer should be to find the cause for someone to steal. Therefore answer may be scowling or sullen.

Ginger practiced everyday for the competition, as a result, she _______ it.

a. lost

b. eliminated

c. won

d. ditched

Answer:

Here the answer is ‘won’ because ginger practiced regularly and so she won it. her efforts resulted in her win.

Rules for Sentence Completion

Once we are done with the types of words used in sentence completion, let’s had over to the practical types of the same:

TYPE – 1: Quantity Based

A Quantity Based Question means the number of blanks that we get in a sentence. It can be divided into:

One Blank

Two or More Blanks

TYPE – 2: Length Based

A Length Based Question means the length of the question that is given to us. It can be divided into two parts:

Sentence Based – the question is only 20-35 words long.

Paragraph / Passage based – the sentence given to us in compiled into a bigger passage with multiple blanks to fill in.

TYPE – 3: Element Based

A Sentence Completion Question that is element based means the type of answer that we need to fill in to complete the sentence / passage.

Word – based: It requires us to fill the blank with a single word.

Phrase – based: This type needs us to choose a phrase in order to complete the sentence given to us

Sentence – based: It requires us to insert a complete sentence in the blank. This type is mostly used in passage-based questions.

Note: All of the types above can be combined in one question or have two or more types in one question.
For Example:
one blank, sentence based, and phrase based question

Two blank, passage based, phrase and word question
these are just two examples of the multiple possible combinations of questions.

Suitable Approaches for Sentence Completion:

A good vocabulary can be a great help for such sentence completion.  Although we can use many approaches for such type of questions, even without knowing all the choices. Some of them are as follows.

Read the Sentence:

Use the sentence clues by reading thoroughly. The question may be difficult due to difficult words and the structure of the sentence. One has to dissect the sentence to figure out what fits best, otherwise one cannot crack the question though knowing the word meanings.

Hints:

The hints given may indicate what should go into the blank for the meaningful sentence. Here’s a test to locate the right hint. If we change the hint, then the choice in the blank must change. We can check the hint by putting that word or phrase into the blank itself.

Pluses and Minuses:

Once we find the word clues, indicate the kind of word we are now looking for with positive meaning or negative meaning. Also, to indicate synonyms or antonyms, we can use these symbols.

Structure Words:

See and try for words like but, rather, although, however, and, while, but, therefore, etc.

These may reveal the sentence organization and the relationship between hint and blank. They tell about kinds of words to look for as they change the thought process in the sentence.

Visualize:

Before going for the choices, think of the possible words for the blanks.  It will save us from wrong choices.  If we know roughly the type of words required, the process of elimination becomes much easier. The word we see doesn’t have to be fancy and a general idea is fine.

Elimination:

Ruling out the wrong choices is now easy.  But remember that words have to fit in the given order for the correct answer. If one word is a perfect choice without making sense, then the answer is incorrect.  Don’t rule out choices if don’t know their meanings. If doubts are there, leave it and return to other choices.

Working Backwards:

The two-blank questions can be easier as we have more opportunities to eliminate wrong choices. If we can eliminate a choice based on one word, we don’t need to know the other word. Often, working I backtracking way works better.

Solved Example on Sentence Completion

Q.1: Suresh’s skin was ______ to burn if he spent too much time in the sun.

(i)   Prone

(ii)  Eminent

(iii) Erect

(iv) Daunted

Answer: Prone is the correct answer which is an adjective. Its meaning is – a tendency or inclination to something.

Q.2: The Security officer ______ the crowd to step back from the fire to avoid any mishappening.

(i)   Undulated

(ii)  Enjoined

(iii) Stagnated

(iv)  Delineated

Answer: Enjoined is the correct answer which is a verb. Its meaning is to issue an order or command with authority.

Question 1:

The opposition parties allege that prices of essential commodities are __________ like a runaway balloon.

A. soaring
B. reviving
C. flying
D. leaping

Answer – Soaring

Explanation:

Since the sentence compares the prices with runaway balloon,it means that the prices are going up high. Out of all the options, Soaring means to go up high.

Question 2:

_______is a person who dabbles in art and letters.

A. chauvinist
B. connoisseur
C. philistine
D. dilettante

Answer – Dilettante

Explanation:

Here, the second clause of the sentence gives us the description or definition of the word that should be used in the first blank. Since it defines a person who dabbles (to take superficial interest) in art and letters, we can say that the person is Dilettante.