Each year I am reminded of our blessings as I view the _____ of food abundant at our table.
Answer(s): D
JustificationCorrect choice – D. plethora Plethora denotes an excess or overabundance of something, which aligns precisely with the phrase “food abundant at our table.” It conveys the idea of a surplus that is noticeable and plentiful, matching the context of being reminded of blessings through the sheer quantity of food.Why the other options are unsuitableA: mixture – Implies a combination of different elements, not an excess; it does not convey abundance. B. gluttony – Carries a negative connotation of overindulgence; the sentence praises blessings, not excess in a morally questionable sense. C. bounty – While meaning abundance, it often suggests a generous gift or harvest rather than the sheer, overflowing quantity implied by “abundant.” It is less precise for describing an overflowing visual impression.E: decadence – Refers to a state of moral or cultural decline associated with luxury; it does not describe quantity and introduces an unrelated tone.Conclusion D. plethora best captures the notion of an overflowing, plentiful display of food, making it the most appropriate fill-in for the blank.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary entry for plethora: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plethora Cambridge Dictionary entry for bounty: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/bounty
The depth and ______ of Lillian's performance was most noteworthy; she presented works from ragtime to jazz to classical.
Answer(s): C
JustificationThe phrase pairs depth with a noun that describes the breadth of material covered . “Scope” precisely conveys this meaning: it denotes the range or extent of something, which aligns with the statement that Lillian performed works spanning ragtime, jazz, and classical genres. Duration refers to time length, which does not relate to the variety of styles presented. Polish pertains to refinement or finesse, not to the variety of repertoire. Intensity suggests emotional or dynamic force, which is unrelated to the diversity of musical selections. Articulation concerns clarity of expression, again unrelated to the range of genres performed.Therefore, C. scope is the only option that correctly completes the sentence by emphasizing the wide-ranging nature of Lillian’s performance.
Merriam-Webster definition of “scope”: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scope Cambridge Dictionary entry for “scope”: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/scope
Once the newspaper ______ their sources were flawed, they ______ the target of their article by issuing a full retraction.
Answer(s): A
JustificationThe sentence describes a two-step logical progression: first the newspaper becomes aware of a problem with its sources, and then it takes an action that clears the person who was the subject of the original story. Option A (“realized … exonerated”) precisely captures this sequence: realized their sources were flawed → they exonerated the target by issuing a full retraction. “Exonerated” means to clear from blame or suspicion, which is exactly what a retraction aimed at the article’s target accomplishes. Option B (“suspected … blasted”) introduces a negative action (“blasted”) that contradicts the idea of issuing a retraction, which is meant to repair damage, not to attack. Option C (“understood … haranged”) uses “haranged,” a misspelling of “harangued,” which implies a forceful, hostile speech, again inconsistent with the remedial nature of a retraction. Option D (“rejected … issued”) suggests the newspaper rejected its own sources, which is semantically odd; sources are not typically “rejected” but rather found to be unreliable. Moreover, “issued” alone does not convey the corrective purpose of clearing the target. Option E (“disproved … comforted”) pairs an analytical verb with an emotional one that does not align with the formal, corrective function of a retraction; “comforted” is unrelated to the act of clearing someone’s name.Therefore, only Option A provides a logically coherent and semantically appropriate pair of verbs for the context.
Merriam-Webster definition of realize: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/realize Merriam-Webster definition of exonerate: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exonerate
His _____ behavior toward her caused a considerable riff in the organization, partially because of the size of the company and partially because he was a married man with children.
Answer(s): E
JustificationE: obsequious – Describes an attitude of fawning, overly submissive, or servile behavior toward another person. In a large organization, such sycophantic conduct can create noticeable tension, especially when the subject is a married man with children, because it may be perceived as unprofessional, favoritism, or a breach of workplace boundaries. This nuance matches the phrase “caused a considerable riff in the organization.”A: untoward – Means inappropriate or improper, but it is a general moral judgment rather than a description of a specific interpersonal demeanor; it does not capture the nuance of excessive deference.B: snide – Refers to sarcastic or contemptuous remarks, which would generate conflict through mockery, not through the kind of subservient behavior implied by the context.C: mysterious – Indicates something unknown or puzzling; it does not describe a pattern of conduct that would directly affect organizational dynamics.D: periodic – Simply means occurring at regular intervals; it is unrelated to interpersonal attitude and cannot explain the interpersonal rift.Therefore, E. obsequious is the only option that precisely conveys the type of behavior that would generate the described organizational tension.
Merriam-Webster definition of obsequious: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obsequious Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries entry for obsequious: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/obsequious
He was held up to small children as an ______, one who is worthy of imitation, principally because of his self-sacrificing dedication to helping others `" clearly his ______ made him deserving of such claim.
Answer(s): B
JustificationThe sentence describes a person who is presented to children as a model to be imitated because of his self-sacrificing dedication to helping others . Option B (exemplar … altruism) supplies the precise semantic pair:Exemplar = a person or thing that serves as a desirable model for imitation. Altruism = self-less concern for the welfare of others; the quality that justifies the claim of deserving imitation. The other choices fail to match both semantic slots:A: enigma … heart – Enigma denotes a mystery, not a model; heart is too vague and does not convey self-sacrifice. C. egotist … devotion – Egotist implies self-centeredness, the opposite of a role model; devotion lacks the altruistic nuance. D. emancipator … thrift – Emancipator refers to liberation, unrelated to imitation; thrift denotes frugality, irrelevant to self-sacrifice. E. idol … immortality – Idol can imply admiration but immortality is unrelated to the moral quality that makes one worthy of imitation.Therefore, B is the only option that accurately captures the required meaning of “a worthy-to-imitate figure” and the “self-sacrificing dedication” that justifies the claim.
Merriam-Webster, Exemplar: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exemplar Merriam-Webster, Altruism: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altruism
His proclivity for _____ had at one time made him a suspect in every open case of vandalism, but it also made him mentally qualified for the specialized unit in the military whose job it was to reduce ______ munitions.
JustificationThe sentence describes a proclivity that both (1) made the person a suspect in vandalism investigations and (2) qualified him for a military unit whose purpose is to reduce something related to munitions. Option C (“extirpation … stockpiled”) fits both blanks precisely:Extirpation means the complete destruction or eradication of something, which aligns with a tendency toward vandalism and thus explains why he was repeatedly suspected. Stockpiled describes munitions that are stored in quantity; a unit tasked with reducing stockpiled munitions would be engaged in dismantling or disposing of such stockpiles, a role that would naturally suit someone with a penchant for extirpation. The other choices fail to satisfy the semantic and collocational requirements:A – “trouble … reliance” does not convey a destructive tendency and “reliance” is unrelated to munitions. B – “gang membership … built up” introduces an external group affiliation that does not logically connect to a military reduction role. D – “intimidation … depleted” suggests a psychological effect rather than an act of destruction, and “depleted munitions” is an unusual collocation for a unit’s mission. E – “opulence … droll” is semantically irrelevant to vandalism or munitions handling.Therefore, option C is the only pair that provides a coherent, technically appropriate fill-in for both blanks.
Merriam-Webster definition of extirpation: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extirpation Oxford Learner’s Dictionary entry for stockpile: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/stockpile
The ______ aroma of the bark of this shrub make it ______ year round whether the leaves have fallen or not.
JustificationOption C – “pungent … recognizable”Pungent accurately describes a strong, sharp smell that can be detected from bark. Recognizable conveys that the scent is distinctive enough to be identified even when the leaves are absent, fitting the phrase “makes it … year round.” The sentence reads naturally: “The pungent aroma of the bark of this shrub makes it recognizable year round whether the leaves have fallen or not.”Why the other choices are unsuitableA: stark … indistinguishable – Stark is not typically used for scent, and indistinguishable contradicts the idea of the aroma being a consistent identifier. B. subtle … anomalistic – Subtle suggests a faint smell, which does not align with the notion of a year-round, identifiable characteristic; anomalistic is unrelated to scent perception. D. hidden … obtrusive – Hidden and obtrusive are opposites; the phrase would be contradictory and awkward. E. sickening … reticent – Sickening describes an unpleasant odor but does not lead to a logical description of the shrub’s recognizability; reticent is a behavioral term, not applicable to aroma.
Merriam-Webster definition of pungent: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pungent Merriam-Webster definition of recognizable: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recognizable
As the grass roots movement gained momentum, outside forces attempted to infiltrate and change the direction of the original purpose so the sponsor recommended we adopt a ______, making it clear to the public our motives and purpose.
Manifesto is the most appropriate term because it denotes a publicly released proclamation of the movement’s core principles, goals, and motivations. By issuing a manifesto, the sponsor can clearly articulate the original purpose to the broader public, making it difficult for external actors to obscure or hijack the intent.Why the other options are less suitableDeclaration – often used in legal or official contexts; it sounds more formal and less evocative of a grassroots ethos. Statement – too generic; it can be a simple remark without the weight of a defined agenda. Mandate – implies an imposed directive rather than a voluntary articulation of purpose. Invocation – refers to the act of calling upon something, typically ritualistic, and does not convey a structured declaration of aims.Therefore, the correct choice is A – manifesto.
Merriam-Webster definition of manifesto: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manifesto Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries entry for manifesto: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/manifesto
Post your Comments and Discuss College Board SAT exam prep with other Community members:
Our website is free, but we have to fight against AI bots and content theft. We're sorry for the inconvenience caused by these security measures. You can access the rest of the SAT content, but please register or login to continue.