1. SENTENCE COMPLETION SENTENCE COMPLETION Part 4 Notes SAT Preparation Mrs. Erdman Part 4 Notes SAT Preparation Mrs. Erdman

2. 1. Sentence completion questions test 2 areas of English language 1. Sentence completion questions test 2 areas of English language / Broad range of vocab, measured by understanding meaning of sentences / Ability to understand logic of sentence, measured by ability to insert correct words / Broad range of vocab, measured by understanding meaning of sentences / Ability to understand logic of sentence, measured by ability to insert correct words

3. 2. What makes up a sentence completion question? / Sentence with one or more blanks indicating missing words

4. 3. Five-step plan for sentence completion test questions

5. #1 Read sentence through to get general sense of its meaning Ask yourself: A. What does the sentence mean? B. What words will best fill in the blanks? C. What part of speech is necessary to complete the sentence?

6. #2 Anticipate the answer (should words support or contrast) What words signal support? so, for, because, therefore, as a result What words signal contrast? Although, not, but, however

7. #3 Read ALL 5 choices. Must try ALL for BEST choice. #4 If you have to guess, first eliminate answers which don’t make sense. Last resort = pick difficult vocab word #5 Check answer by reading entire sentence with word(s) you’ve selected.

8. 4. Ten general strategies for tackling sentence completion questions

9. #1 Pace yourself - remember questions go from easy to difficult. Allow more time for later questions. #2 Know your vocabulary - Look for important words in sentences. Look for roots, suffixes, and prefixes.

10. #3 Read each answer choice carefully - one letter can make a difference (ex: desert, dessert) #4 Always understand the sentence before trying choices out, otherwise, most words might seem to fit.

11. #5 Watch out for little words which have big effect on meaning of sentences (not, but, and) #6 Look for words that have same meaning - if 2 choices have same meaning, eliminate them.

12. #7 Check part of speech and verb tense - effective sentences are parallel (ex: all verb -ing, not -ed) #8 2 blank question - test the first word in each pair; saves time.

13. #9 Don’t be thrown by nonsensical choices - don’t spend time determining WHY it doesn’t make sense; eliminate it. #10 Look for the BEST choice - not the perfect choice; there may in fact be a better choice if you wrote the sentence.

14. Words which signify CONTRAST / Although / Though / Yet / On the other hand / However / Conversely / Although / Though / Yet / On the other hand / However / Conversely

15. Words which signify SUPPORT / Therefore / As a result / So / Thus / Therefore / As a result / So / Thus

16. Summary Clues are words that Condense an idea already mentioned in the sentence.

17. Transition words that signify that ideas are being summarized / As a result / In short / Hence / Finally / All in all / In conclusion / As a result / In short / Hence / Finally / All in all / In conclusion

18. CAUSE vs EFFECT / CAUSE is the WHY something happens / EFFECT is the RESULT / CAUSE is the WHY something happens / EFFECT is the RESULT

19. Words used in Cause/Effect writing / Accordingly / In order to / Due to / When…then / So…that / Accordingly / In order to / Due to / When…then / So…that

20. The End