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Study guides › Level 9 · College Prep

Sentence completion

Level 9 · Meaning · for questions like “Although the task looked ___, it took only five minutes.”

💡 The idea

Test sentences contain signal words that tell you which way the meaning goes. Find the signal, predict your own word, then match it.

Signal words

SignalMeansExample
although, but, despite, unlikea turn: the gap is the oppositeAlthough it looked hard, it was quick.
because, so, sincecause: the gap fits the reasonBecause the bridge was unsafe, it closed.
and, also, ; (semicolon)same directionHer writing is short: every word counts.

✏️ Worked examples

1. “Although the task looked ___, it took only five minutes.” “Although” signals a turn from quick, so the gap means hard: daunting.

2. “Unlike his ___ brother, who talked for hours, Sam said very little.” “Unlike” + quiet Sam: the brother is talkative: loquacious.

⚠️ Watch out

🎯 Try these

  1. Despite the ___ weather, the picnic went ahead: pleasant · inclement · balmy
  2. Her writing is ___: nothing is wasted: concise · verbose · rambling

Answers: 1) inclement 2) concise

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