Fill one or two blanks so the sentence stays logically and grammatically intact. The connective word — although, because, therefore — tells you the direction before you've even read the options. Every question comes with a written explanation of that signal.
The connective word decides the direction of the whole sentence. Skim past although and you'll fill the blank as if the sentence agreed with itself.
On double-blank items, one option often fits the first blank perfectly and fails the second. Check both blanks against the full sentence before committing.
The hardest-sounding option isn't automatically correct. Match the sentence's actual logic and tone, not the option that sounds most "exam-like."
Straight from the bank — one per difficulty tier. Reveal the answer to see the explanation you'd get in a real session.
Although the film received poor reviews, it was a box-office ____.
B — success. "Although" signals a contrast with "poor reviews" — the blank must describe the opposite outcome. Success fits; Failure (A) would agree with the reviews instead of contrasting them, which "although" rules out.
Because the negotiations had ____ for months, both sides welcomed the ____ compromise.
A — stalled … sudden. "Because" signals a cause-and-effect link — long, unproductive negotiations (stalled) explain why both sides welcomed a compromise, and "welcomed" pairs naturally with something unexpected: sudden. Progressed … gradual (B) contradicts "welcomed a compromise" — if talks were going well, a compromise wouldn't need special welcoming.
Far from being the ____ diplomat his reputation suggested, he proved ____ and quick to anger in private meetings.
B — measured … volatile. "Far from being" is a strong contrast signal — the private reality must oppose the public reputation. A reputation for being measured opposes proving volatile and quick to anger. Cautious … careful (D) fails because both words describe the same trait instead of opposing ones.
Sentence completion rewards reading the connective before the blank — practice trains that reflex until it's automatic.
Before reading the options, identify the connective word and state whether the blank should agree or contrast with what came before. Untimed practice is where this becomes reflex.
Move to timed sessions once the connective-first habit is automatic — double-blank items take a little longer than single-blank ones.
Pair sentence completion with error identification in a mock — both test control over a full sentence's logic and structure.
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