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SSC CGL Preparation – Day 2
English – Sentence Completion
✨ What is Sentence Completion?
Sentence Completion is a type of question where you are given an incomplete sentence, and you must choose the best word or group of words to complete it logically and grammatically.
The goal is to ensure:
- Grammatical correctness
- Logical consistency
- Appropriate tone and meaning
🎯 Types of Sentence Completion Questions:
- Single blank:
→ You fill in one blank with the correct word/phrase. - Double or Multiple blanks:
→ You fill two or more blanks, ensuring the sentence makes complete sense. - Context-based blanks:
→ Requires understanding the full meaning of the sentence. - Vocabulary-based blanks:
→ Tests your understanding of precise word meanings (synonyms, antonyms).
📌 Important Skills Needed:
- Context understanding: Grasp the general idea of the sentence.
- Grammar knowledge: Ensure subject-verb agreement, tense correctness, prepositions, etc.
- Vocabulary strength: Choose the most precise word(s).
- Elimination technique: Rule out obviously wrong options.
- Tone matching: Match the emotional tone (positive/negative/neutral) of the sentence.
🛠️ Step-by-Step Approach:
- Read the sentence carefully without looking at the options first.
- Predict the missing word mentally based on context.
- Check the given options and pick the one closest to your prediction.
- Eliminate wrong choices:
- Grammatically incorrect
- Meaning inconsistency
- Wrong tone
- Double-check by plugging the chosen word back into the sentence.
🚨 Common Traps to Avoid:
- Don’t pick an answer just because it sounds good; check logic.
- Watch for negative prefixes/suffixes (un-, dis-, mis-, etc.).
- Don’t overthink — go with the simplest logical choice.
- Be careful with close synonyms that slightly differ in meaning.
🧠 Tips to Master Sentence Completion:
- Improve your reading habit (articles, essays, newspapers).
- Learn new vocabulary daily.
- Practice understanding sentence tone and mood.
- Attempt daily quizzes to sharpen speed and accuracy.
📚 Examples:
Example 1: (Single Blank)
Sentence:
Although the professor was normally quite __________, today he seemed unusually reserved.
Options:
(a) quiet
(b) talkative
(c) serious
(d) silent
✅ Answer: (b) talkative
Explanation:
Normally he is “talkative”, but today he is reserved (quiet). The contrast shows he is usually talkative.
Example 2: (Double Blank)
Sentence:
The soldiers displayed great ________ and ________ during the rescue operation.
Options:
(a) fear, hesitation
(b) courage, determination
(c) anger, confusion
(d) pride, vanity
✅ Answer: (b) courage, determination
Explanation:
Rescue operations require bravery and strong will, hence “courage” and “determination”.
Example 3: (Vocabulary-based)
Sentence:
She is known for her _________ behavior, always polite and respectful towards everyone.
Options:
(a) impolite
(b) courteous
(c) rebellious
(d) aggressive
✅ Answer: (b) courteous
Explanation:
The words “polite and respectful” point towards “courteous”.
Example 4: (Tone matching)
Sentence:
After the scandal, the CEO gave a __________ apology that failed to convince anyone.
Options:
(a) heartfelt
(b) fake
(c) sincere
(d) inspiring
✅ Answer: (b) fake
Explanation:
Since it “failed to convince”, the apology must have been “fake”.
🔥 Quick Summary:
| Focus Area | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Context Understanding | Predict missing words mentally |
| Vocabulary | Expand word knowledge |
| Elimination Strategy | Rule out wrong options |
| Tone and Consistency | Ensure meaning matches sentence tone |
📢 Important Note:
Sentence Completion improves not only English scores but also helps tremendously in Cloze Tests, Comprehensions, and Essay writing later.
