PSAT Warm Ups

Each sentence below has one or two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five words or sets of words labeled A through E. Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole. Then, explain why you chose that answer. 

Even if you don't understand the vocabulary words, do your best!

Day 1

A discerning publishing agent can ------- promising material from a mass of submissions, separating the good from the bad.

(A) supplant
(B) dramatize
(C) finagle
(D) winnow
(E) overhaul

Day 2

The practice of storytelling for entertainment and instruction was at one time so widespread that it was virtually ---- .

(A) rigorous
(B) universal
(C) elevating
(D) uncommon
(E) unknown

Day 3

Although some think the terms "bug" and "insect" are ---- , the former term actually refers to ---- group of insects.

(A) parallel . . an identical
(B) precise . . an exact
(C) interchangeable . . a particular
(D) exclusive . . a separate
(E) useful . . a useless

Day 4

The advertised property, which ---- vast and unspoiled stretches, will undoubtedly ---- potential buyers who yearn for seclusion.

(A) spans . . interfere with
(B) abuts . . appeal to
(C) overlooks . . infuriate
(D) precludes . . assemble
(E) erodes . . inspire

Day 5

The novel's protagonist, a pearl diver, naïvely expects that the buyers will compete among themselves to pay him the best price for his pearl, but instead they ---- to ---- him.

(A) venture . . reward
(B) pretend . . praise
(C) conspire . . reimburse
(D) refuse . . cheat
(E) collude . . swindle

Day 6

The addition of descriptive details to the basic information serves to ---- the book by producing a fuller account.

(A) invalidate
(B) objectify
(C) incite
(D) celebrate
(E) enrich