Sentence Completion Question Strategies

​Solving Sentence Completion Questions

By Tatiana Nikolskaya

​Sentence Completion questions often appear on school exams and benchmark assessments, and they look like this:

Sentence:
The hot, humid weather made everyone feel _______________________, causing people to seek shade and rest in the cool breeze.

Answer choices:
a) animated
b) cheerful
c) invigorated
d) lethargic
e) active

REVIEW THE STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFULY TACKLING THESE QUESTIONS AND COMPLETE THE PRACTICE.

1. Don’t look at the answer choices yet.
   Read the whole sentence once to get its natural meaning.

2. Identify sentence clues.
   Circle signal words (however, because, although, despite), context words, and any punctuation that changes meaning (commas, dashes).

3. Visualize the missing word.
   Say the sentence in your head and think of one or two words that would naturally finish it.

4. Check grammatical form.
   Decide what part of speech the blank needs (noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition). Note tense, number, and agreement. text here

5. Now scan the answer options.
   Compare your imagined word(s) with the choices. Don’t be tempted by familiar-looking words until you check grammar.

6. Eliminate wrong answers fast.
   Cross out choices that:

   • are the wrong part of speech,

   • break subject-verb or noun-pronoun agreement,

   • contradict clear sentence clues.

     7. Use word families and word parts.
     If unsure, check prefixes, suffixes, and roots to judge meaning (e.g., re- = again, -less = without). That often separates similar choices.

​

8. Analyze the remaining options carefully.
   Look for subtle differences in meaning or connotation and how they interact with signal words or the sentence tone.

9. Plug the best option in and read the whole sentence.
   Make sure it sounds natural and fits grammatically and logically.

10. Double-check if time allows.
    If two options both seem possible, reread the sentence clue words and the surrounding context to decide which one the author most likely intended.

Example

The hot, humid weather made everyone feel _______________________, causing people to seek shade and rest in the cool breeze.

Answer choices:
a) animated
b) cheerful
c) invigorated
d) lethargic
e) active

1

1. Do NOT look at the answer options first.
Begin by reading the full sentence to understand the meaning.

2

​2. Identify the sentence clues.

The sentence says:

• “hot, humid weather”

• “causing people to seek shade and rest in the cool breeze”

These clues suggest discomfort, tiredness, or low energy.

3

​3. Visualize the missing word.

Sentence:
The hot, humid weather made everyone feel _______________________, causing people to seek shade and rest in the cool breeze.
Think of a word like “tired,” “slow,” or “drained.”
This helps you develop a mental model of the meaning before checking choices.

4

​4. Decide the part of speech.

The blank needs an adjective describing how people felt.

5-6

5. Now look at the answer choices.

6. Immediately eliminate words that don’t match your expected meaning.

• animated = full of energy → does NOT match

• cheerful = happy → does NOT match

• invigorated = full of strength/renewed energy → the opposite of the clues

• active = energetic → does NOT match

These all contradict the clues about hot weather making people rest in the shade.

7

​7. Use word knowledge, roots, and connotation.

Lethargic = slow, low energy, tired.
(Leth- root connects to lack of energy → makes sense with the context.)

8

​8. Check grammar and logic.

It fits grammatically (adjective after “feel”) and matches the sentence clues perfectly.

Multiple Choice

After weeks of training, Maya felt _______________________ and ready to compete in the long-distance race.

• nervous
• confident
• unprepared
• exhausted
• timid

Multiple Choice

The scientist made a ______________________ discovery that changed how experts understood the animal’s behavior.

• trivial

• groundbreaking

• routine

• ordinary

• predictable

Multiple Choice

The ____________________ storm forced everyone indoors as strong winds shook the windows and heavy rain flooded the streets.

• mild

• tranquil

• relentless

• pleasant

• gentle

Multiple Choice

Although the puzzle looked complicated, Leo remained ______________________ and continued trying until he solved it.

• confused
• disinterested
• frustrated
• determined
• passive

Multiple Choice

The teacher praised Aisha for her ____________________ attitude, as she always looked for solutions instead of focusing on problems.

• pessimistic

• negative

• optimistic

• doubtful

• gloomy

Multiple Choice

The magician’s tricks were so _____________________ that the entire audience gasped in amazement.

• unimpressive
• bewildering

• ordinary
• predictable
• dull

Multiple Choice

Because the directions were ______________________, several students misunderstood the task and needed clarification.

• ambiguous

• clear

• simple

• precise

• straightforward

Multiple Choice

The old castle had a _______________________ atmosphere, making the children feel as if they were stepping into a forgotten world.

• cheerful
• ordinary
• mysterious
• chaotic
• lively

Multiple Choice

The young artist showed _____________________ talent, creating detailed paintings far beyond her age level.

• remarkable
• average
• limited
• ordinary
• mediocre