<p>Sentence completion questions are a problem for many while it is a rain of free points for others. In this “tutorial” I will be telling you about the types of sentence completions and how to do them. </p>
<p>I get 90% - 100% of my sentence completions right on practice tests. Math and Vocabulary are my strongest sections. I am scoring a 1900, but it is your choice if you would like to follow this tutorial or not.</p>
<p>Types</p>
<p>There are four types of sentence completion types: cause and effect/contrast/comparision/definition</p>
<ol>
<li>Definition
What to look for: punctuation, and key phrases (definition)</li>
</ol>
<p>The definition question will almost ALWAYS appear at either the beginning or the end. If it appears at the beginning it may be easy as 1 2 3 (as the above examples shows). Otherwise, if it appears at the end, it will be the hardest as it requires you to know each definition of the answer choices. Definition questions are usually simple blank questions.</p>
<ol>
<li>Contrast
What to look for: antonyms and the keyword BUT</li>
</ol>
<p>Contrast questions generally start out with a flow but then the flow is interrupted with the use of a comma and a “but”. The flow will be reversed. Contrast questions are usually double blank questions. The answer choices will contradict each other.</p>
<ol>
<li>Comparision
What to look for: coordinating like ideas and the keyword AND</li>
</ol>
<p>It is the opposite of a contrast question. It is a continuation of a sentence with the same idea/synonym.</p>
<ol>
<li>Cause and Effect
What to look for: BECAUSE</li>
</ol>
<p>Cause and effect sentence is a “cause and effect” (duh). These are normally the hardest questions as it requires a lot of thinking. The best way to tackle these is to do the second blank then figure out the first blank. </p>
<p>How do I do these?</p>
<p>a. Before the test
- PRACTICE the questions
- MEMORIZE the vocabulary (the best way =P)
- Flash cards can be carried anywhere and anytime. Remember to review the old vocabulary so you do not forget them.
- For visual learners - pictures and flash cards
- Simple lists are perfect for me. I am not a visual learner and flash cards do
work, but lists are fine.
- SLEEP. Memorizing right before sleeping is the time to do it. You retain more of your memory right before you sleep.
- WRITE down the vocabulary you do cannot recognize in everyday life. Repeat it constantly throughout the day after looking it up.
- READ those hard books/magazines.
- MEMORIZE ROOT WORDS/PREFIXES/SUFFIXES</p>
<p>b. During the test
- +/-/n positive/negative/neutral
- In the blanks you would write down a +/-/n in the blanks. You figure this out using key phrases. By writing down +/-/n, this will help get rid of the wrong answers and figure out the right answers.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Do the SECOND BLANK FIRST</p>
<ul>
<li>Why? The second blank is almost always easier to do than the first blank. Just try it.</li>
</ul></li>
<li><p>PREDICTION</p>
<ul>
<li>I do not prefer this method, but if it works for you guys… basically just cover up the answer choices than read the sentence. Fill in the blank and then you predict the answer.</li>
</ul></li>
<li><p>GUESS</p>
<ul>
<li>Guess if and only if you can cross out at least ONE answer choice. Just do it =X</li>
<li>when it comes down to do this, I usually guess for the most complex/specific word.</li>
</ul></li>
<li><p>If you cannot figure out the definition… use root words</p>
<ul>
<li>ex. magnanimous. Break it up. mag + ani + m + ous mag means great, ani means spirit or life, m = m, ous means full of. now what do you get? full of great spirit/life. If you are usually full of spirit/life it usually means you are generous, kind, and if you could not figure that out you can at least figure out that it is a + word.</li>
</ul></li>
</ul>
<p>Well thats it. I would have included examples, but a bit lazy on that part =X. Hope this works. good luck</p>