Text Completion Practice Test 1
Question 1
A book is your golden ticket into the speaking business. If you had a book published by a "real" publisher within the last 12 months in your hands, you have the calling card you need to get those (1) ______engagements now. Some authors-to-be and new authors have trouble figuring out precisely how to (2) ______that book into speaking. First, when the book is printed, ask the publisher for a few hundred copies of the cover, as "overrun." Usually you can have them free or at cost. They make large-sized, (3) ______postcards to send to meeting planners to attract their attention.
Blank 1 / Blank 2 / Blank 3- business
- speaking
- public
- apply
- leverage
- utilize
- noticeable
- printed
- informative
Correct Answer : speaking, leverage, noticeable
Explanation:
The paragraph is about how a person can get into the speaking business. The suggestion given is that if a person has had a book published, he can take advantage of it and get the desired engagements. For the first blank, the most appropriate word is ‘speaking’. It is not any other ‘business’ that is being discussed and hence we reject that option and ‘speaking’ is more suitable than ‘public’. For the second blank, we reject the option ‘apply’ since the other two options are more suitable. Out of the remaining options, we select ‘leverage’ over ‘utilize’. The word ‘utilize’ means to put to use whereas ‘leverage’ would imply to exert the influence of. The book can influence people and get you the desired engagements. For the last blank, we reject ‘printed’ as it does not add to what is already stated. Out of the other two options, we select ‘noticeable’ because this word is not subjective. We cannot say that the copies shall be informative, but ‘large-sized’ postcards are meant to be ‘noticeable’.
Question 2
When Americans imagine communities with (1) ______homes, barefoot children and starving adults, they might picture Third World countries. But over 23 million U.S. residents live in (2) ______rural poverty. In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson launched his War on Poverty from Appalachia, a 1,000-mile stretch that goes from southern New York to northeast Mississippi. Although some communities have seen improvement since the 1960s, the economic boom of the 1990s did little to improve (3) ______conditions.
Blank 1 / Blank 2 / Blank 3- dilapidated
- dingy
- overcrowded
- pitiable
- utter
- deep
- their
- poverty
- living
Correct Answer : dilapidated, deep, living
Explanation:
The given paragraph is about the poverty in America. The first blank is related with the condition of homes of poor people. All the three options are suitable. However, a careful analysis shows that the words used to describe the condition of children and adults are related with lack of money. Hence, the most suitable word for the first blank is ‘dilapidated’. We have no reason to choose ‘overcrowded’ and the word ‘dingy’ implies shabby and dismal. The word ‘dilapidated’ is suitable since it is related with poverty, such that the homes cannot be repaired. For the second blank, we reject the word ‘pitiable’ because it is subjective. Besides, it does not add to what is already stated. Out of the other two options, we select ‘deep’ since it shows the extent of poverty, whereas the option ‘utter’ fails to do so. For the last blank, the option ‘living’ is correct. The main issue is the living conditions of the poverty-stricken people of America. The President launched a program to remove poverty. Some aspects of the impact of poverty were taken care of in the 1960s, but the economic boom of 1990s did not improve the living conditions, which are a result of poverty.
Question 3
For example, the perspective of going on vacation while getting an office bonus would not only make us (1) ______, but also make us plan and imagine the holiday. In fact, we would feel the (2) ______without actually being on the vacation itself! However, when being on the actual vacation, the excitement tends to settle down as one begins to feel (3) ______.
Blank 1 / Blank 2 / Blank 3- exhilarated
- excited
- overjoyed
- bliss
- relaxation
- excitement
- contented
- calm
- normal
Correct Answer : excited, bliss, contented
Explanation:
The writer is continuing a thought and giving an example of something he has already stated. He explains the emotions that we go through when we have to go for a holiday on getting an office bonus. The author is discussing the normal emotions that all of us go through; he is not discussing some exceptional case. Hence, the fills for the blanks are to be selected on this basis. For the first blank, we select the option ‘excited’. The other two options show extreme emotions; besides, the last sentence also mentions excitement. Hence, we deduce that ‘excitement’ is the emotion that we would feel at the perspective of going on a vacation. For the second blank, we reject the option ‘excitement’ as it would lead to repetition. Out of the other two options, we select ‘bliss’ over ‘relaxation’. One cannot feel relaxed without actually being on a vacation since it is the course of a vacation that makes one unwind and relax. However, one can feel supreme happiness in the anticipation of a vacation. For the last blank, we select ‘contented’. The option ‘normal’ is readily rejected. Saying that one is calm is akin to saying that he is not excited. Hence, we do not use the option ‘calm’. When we are on a vacation, we start feeling relaxed and contented and hence the excitement settles down.
Question 4
A lot of them get quite (1) ______due to their lacking this beauty and (2) ______similar to others they have met. A better option will be to obtain the liking of others by being smart and good. Ugly people, in reality are those, who do not possess great ideas, or they cannot attract others by their thoughts and feelings. If we see history, we may find a lot of ugly people, but they had been famous and liked by all, since they have done (3) ______deeds.
Blank 1 / Blank 2 / Blank 3- disgruntle
- depressed
- envious
- allure
- charm
- thoughts
- beautiful
- marvelous
- thoughtful
Correct Answer : depressed, allure, marvelous
Explanation:
In the given paragraph, the author is discussing the feelings of people who are not beautiful and he is trying to tell what real ugliness means. In the first sentence, the disposition of the unfortunate is described. He says that they are ‘depressed’. Through the other options, ‘disgruntle’ and ‘envious’ a feeling of resentment is evident, which we do not have any evidence to support. Ugly people get depressed or sad because they do not possess the beauty that they see in people around them. Whether they are envious of others cannot be said for sure and hence we select ‘depressed’ as the correct option. For the second blank, we reject the option ‘thoughts’. The author says that ugly people in reality are those who do not possess good thoughts. He supports these depressed people in this indirect manner by saying that they have good thoughts and that is real beauty. Thus, these people cannot be depressed because of lacking ‘thoughts’ like beautiful people do. Consequently, we reject the option ‘thoughts’. Out of ‘allure’ and ‘charm’, we select the former. The author says that you should obtain the liking of others by being smart and good. Thus, these people wish to ‘allure’ others and hence we select this option. In the last sentence, the author says that history is witness to the affection that ugly people get from others because of their ‘marvelous’ deeds. This word has a wide scope and encompasses beauty and thoughtfulness. Hence, it is the correct answer option, in the given context.
Question 5
One of the best things about being a leader is the privilege to share goals and dreams with members on your team. A leader inspires trust and (1) ______. You can lead others with your words and actions, and earn your members’ trust, and inspire them to build their business and develop their skills. Your own actions inspire your members to believe in themselves and (2) ______. A leader is also out in the (3) ______doing it every day.
Blank 1 / Blank 2 / Blank 3- action
- faith
- dedication
- deliver
- progress
- accelerate
- heat
- trenches
- fields
Correct Answer : action, progress, trenches
Explanation:
The given paragraph is about a leader. For the first blank, we discard the option ‘faith’ since it is synonymous with ‘trust’ in comparison with the other options. In the remaining paragraph, the author is concentrating on action. He says that a leader leads with his words and actions. The author also mentions that a leader’s actions inspire others when they see him doing work every day. The word ‘action’ finds a lot of support in the paragraph. On the other hand, the option ‘dedication’ does not find any justification in the text. Hence, the correct option for the first blank is ‘action’. For the second blank, we select the word ‘progress’. The actions of a leader instill self-confidence in his followers and inspire them to make progress in their field of work. The option ‘accelerate’ is not appropriate since it is closely related to ‘speed’, which is relative to time. There is no sense of hurry indicated in the text. The other option ‘deliver’ is not as suitable as ‘progress’ is and hence we select the latter. For the last blank, we have to choose a word that aptly shows the example that a leader sets for inspiring others. A leader inspires others by the hard work he puts in, in doing the most difficult jobs. We select the word ‘trenches’ since it shows the maximum amount of struggle, as compared with the other options.
Question 6
New (1) ______innovations like fuel cells are still a long way off from truly becoming substitutes to the fossil fuel powered internal combustion engines that have driven us all this far down the road. (2) ______looking at all the possible sources of alternate energy and especially renewable, wind and hydroelectric projects are the only two viable long-term sources. Solar power is a (3) ______huge alternative source of energy but it has a technological handicap-we do not possess the engineering expertise to make better solar cells. Solar cells are also very costly to produce and are not cost effective - even less so than wind.
Blank 1 / Blank 2 / Blank 3- technological
- scientific
- technical
- logically
- perhaps
- indeed
- relatively
- potentially
- substantially
Correct Answer : technological, indeed, potentially
Explanation:
For the first blank, we reject ‘technical’ right away. The word refers to technique, which can be related with any science or art. Since it is not specific to the topic, we reject the word. ‘Technology’ is a branch of knowledge that deals with the application of principles of science whereas ‘scientific’ means pertaining to science. We thus choose ‘technological’ as the correct answer. Scientific principles are applied to create technological innovations like fuel cells. For the second blank, we select the option ‘indeed’. The sentence contains definite ideas with little scope of doubt; hence, we reject the option ‘perhaps’, which shows uncertainty. There is no reason for us to select the option ‘logically’. The discussion is not based on logic, but on facts. There is nothing in the paragraph to defy logic and hence we do not have to use the word to emphasize on it. The option ‘indeed’ is the correct option. The author says that we are yet to find substitutes to fossil fuels. He further supports wind and hydroelectric projects as the only viable alternatives. He accepts their utility and hence the word ‘indeed’ is the best fit here. For the last blank, we select the option ‘potentially’. Since there is no comparison being drawn, we cannot use ‘relatively’. Out of the remaining options, ‘potentially’ highlights the capability of this alternative source, especially since it is followed by the word ‘huge’.
Question 7
A positive attitude not only makes us (1) ______, but it also makes us open to all the opportunities that come our way. Successful people have positivity radiating from them and they never let go of any opportunity. It is these minute opportunities that have made them climb their success ladders. Successful people also value their time. They are well (2) ______and planned for the day. Not only that, but they also value the time of others and fulfill their deadlines (3) ______. When going for a meeting, they are always on time and well planned.
Blank 1 / Blank 2 / Blank 3- capable
- enthusiastic
- successful
- prioritized
- punctual
- focused
- efficiently
- accordingly
- timely
Correct Answer : successful, prioritized, accordingly
Explanation:
The first two sentences convey the same meaning. Where the second sentence says that successful people radiate positivity and grab every opportunity, the first says that a positive attitude makes you successful and open to opportunities. In the remaining paragraph also, successful people are being discussed. Hence, the suitable answer for the first blank is ‘successful’. For the second blank, the option ‘focused’ is illogical. The word ‘punctual’ conveys the same sense that the last sentence does and hence we reject it. The option ‘prioritized’ is correct. Successful people value their time and hence set their priorities accordingly and plan for the day. For the last blank, we need to observe the sentence carefully. The author says that successful people value the time of others and fulfill their deadlines. The option ‘timely’ would lead to repetition. The option ‘accordingly’ is more suitable than ‘efficiently’ is. While ‘efficiently’ would support proficiency, ‘accordingly’ supports the notion of their giving value to the time of others. The correct answer is thus ‘accordingly’.
Question 8
There are good reasons for (1) ______. Afghanistan is the most ambitious project that the international community will have ever undertaken. And as a senior American official said, “The one thing that seems to (2) ______Afghans over long period of time is they don’t much like foreigners.” But consider what the foreigners were up to in the past. The British and the Russians tried to colonize the place. The Arabs turned it into a base for international terrorism. Maybe now that the foreigners are coming for quite different reasons, the (3) ______will be more welcoming.
Blank 1 / Blank 2 / Blank 3- pessimism
- reform
- anxiety
- unite
- disturb
- frustrate
- Arabs
- locals
- citizens
Correct Answer : pessimism, unite, locals
Explanation:
The author is saying that Afghanistan is the most ambitious project of the international community. Earlier foreigners tried to colonize it and they were not much welcome. Afghans were united in their dislike for foreigners. The Arabs gave terrorism to the county and maybe people welcome the international community now for they can bring prosperity to them. The suitable words for the first three blanks are ‘pessimism’, ‘unite’ and ‘locals’. We have reasons to be positive. For long Afghans were united in their dislike for foreigners. Earlier we were not welcome by locals and now they might be more welcoming.
Question 9
When your people see you out (1) ______doing what you're advising them to do, they will then have more (2) ______and trust in what you have to say. Lead by example, people believe what they see, not what they hear. A leader offers the team hope and inspiration. Decide today to be the leader that offers a positive (3) ______, and make a great difference in someone's life.
Blank 1 / Blank 2 / Blank 3- sincerely
- diligently
- actually
- conviction
- respect
- assurance
- experience
- feedback
- example
Correct Answer : actually, respect, experience
Explanation:
For the first blank, we select the option ‘actually’ and for the second, we select ‘respect’. The sentence says that when you give advice to others, they might not trust you, but when you yourself live by your advice, they shall get truly inspired. Leaders are held in high esteem and they are generally not judged. Hence, they are not expected to be at the same level as their followers. However, when they blur the lines of differentiation between themselves and their followers, they win the ‘respect’ and trust of their followers. The word ‘actually’ highlights how the deed is unexpected and hence we select it. The word ‘respect’ brings out the importance of the task by showing its impact on others. For the last blank, the option ‘experience’ is correct. In the preceding sentence, the author says that a leader offers hope and inspiration. In other words, he offers a ‘positive experience’ to people. ‘Feedback’ is clearly wrong and the option ‘example’ does not score over ‘experience’ since the former means instance whereas the latter means occurrence.