Sentence Completion

Sentence / word completion questions commonly fall into four functional types below. Recognising the type helps you pick the correct choice quickly.

Restatement

These items rephrase or restate an idea from the first clause. Look for phrases like in other words, that is, to put it simply.

Example:

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. The phrase "in other words" signals a restatement; we need a word meaning sluggish or inactive.

Comparison

These sentences set up a similarity between two clauses. Signal words include just as, likewise, similarly.

Example:

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

• a. burden
• b. forgive
• c. criticize
• d. conspire

Answer – forgive. The comparison requires a matching action.

Contrast

Contrast items present opposing ideas. Look for words like although, however, despite, but, on the other hand.

Example:

Although her son is cheerful, her daughter is _______ and grumpy.

• a. rude
• b. peaceful
• c. merry
• d. casual

Answer – rude. A contrasting word is required.

Cause and effect

These sentences show cause-result relationships. Signal words include therefore, consequently, as a result, because of, due to.

Example:

Ginger practised every day for the competition; as a result, she ______ it.

• a. lost
• b. eliminated
• c. won
• d. ditched

Answer – won. Regular practice (cause) leads to winning (effect).

Sentence completion questions can be classified by how they are presented:

TYPE 1 — Quantity based

Refers to the number of blanks: one blank, two blanks, or more.

TYPE 2 — Length based

Refers to size of the text:

• Sentence-based — a single sentence (short).
• Passage-based — a paragraph with multiple blanks.

TYPE 3 — Element based

The kind of answer expected:

• Word — single-word answer required.
• Phrase — a phrase completes the meaning.
• Sentence — full-sentence insertion (usually in passage tasks).

Note: These types are often combined in exam items (e.g., two blanks in a passage requiring phrase + word answers).

Examples of combined types:

• One blank • sentence-based • phrase required
• Two blanks • passage-based • phrase + word required

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: The simile "like a runaway balloon" implies rapid upward movement; "soaring" best matches that meaning.

Question 2:

_______ is a person who dabbles in art and letters.

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

Answer – dilettante

Explanation: "Dilettante" describes someone who takes only a superficial interest in art and letters, matching "dabbles in".

Tip: read the whole sentence, spot signal words (however, therefore, in other words, just as), and eliminate choices that are grammatically or semantically incompatible before selecting the best answer.