Important Rules: Sentence Completion | English Language & Comprehension for SSC CGL PDF Download

Restatement

These words serve to emphasize the significance of the initial clause or provide additional information to the facts already mentioned.

• For instance: Put differently, essentially, namely, etc.

Example: The boy was too lazy to even move about during the day, in other words, he was ________.
(a) slumber
(b) promt
(c) trickster
(d) lethargic
Ans: (d)
Since we use the phrase ‘in other words’ it means that we need to use a word that re-states the already given description.So lethargic can be the answer.

Comparison

The words that we use in this type reflect a comparison between two subjects in the two clauses.

• likewise, and, just as, as like as, similarly etc.

Example: Just as we hope to be forgiven, so we should ______ others.
(a) burden
(b) forgive
(c) criticize
(d) conspire
Ans: (b)
Here, we have used the comparison word, ‘just as’ which means that the second clause should have a word that presents a similar meaning in the first clause. So we use ‘forgive’.

Contrast

This category includes words that highlight a clear and distinct differentiation between two or more clauses.

For instance:

• Although, however, despite, yet, but, on the other hand, nevertheless, notwithstanding, or, conversely, etc.

Example: Although her son is a happy to go soul, her daughter is _______ and grumpy
(a) rude
(b) peaceful
(c) merry
(d) casual
Ans: (a)
Here the answer should be ‘rude’ because we are presenting a contrast between the natures of her son and daughter. While the son is peaceful and happy, the daughter is rude and grumpy.

Cause and effect

This category involves words that serve as evidence of a consequence following a preceding action or situation resulting from an action.

For instance:

• Thus, hence, consequently, owing to, due to, resulting in, consequently, leading to, etc.

Example: Ginger practiced everyday for the competition, as a result, she _______ it.
(a) lost
(b) eliminated
(c) won
(d) ditched
Ans: (c)
Here the answer is ‘won’ because ginger practiced regularly and so she won it. her efforts resulted in her win.

Rules for Sentence Completion

Once we are done with the types of words used in sentence completion, let’s had over to the practical types of the same:

Quantity Based: A Quantity Based Question means the number of blanks that we get in a sentence. It can be divided into:

• One Blank
• Two or More Blanks

Length Based: A Length Based Question means the length of the question that is given to us. It can be divided into two parts:

• Sentence Based – the question is only 20-35 words long.
• Paragraph / Passage based – the sentence given to us in compiled into a bigger passage with multiple blanks to fill in.

Element-Based: A Sentence Completion Question categorized as element-based indicates the type of response required to fill in the blank within the sentence or passage.

• Word-Based: It necessitates filling the blank with a solitary word.
• Phrase-Based: This category mandates selecting a phrase to complete the given sentence.
• Sentence-Based: It involves inserting a comprehensive sentence into the blank space, primarily utilized in passage-based questions.

Note:

All of the types above can be combined in one question or have two or more types in one question.

For Example:

• one blank, sentence based, and phrase based question
• two blank, passage based, phrase and word question

These are just two examples of the multiple possible combinations of questions.

Example 1: The opposition parties allege that prices of essential commodities are __________ like a runaway balloon.
(a) soaring
(b) reviving
(c) flying
(d) leaping
Ans: (a)
Since the sentence compares the prices with runaway balloon,it means that the prices are going up high. Out of all the options, Soaring means to go up high.

Example 2:  _______is a person who dabbles in art and letters.
(a) chauvinist
(b) connoisseur
(c) philistine
(d) dilettante
Ans: (d)
Here, the second clause of the sentence gives us the description or definition of the word that should be used in the first blank. Since it defines a person who dabbles (to take superficial interest) in art and letters, we can say hat the person is Dilettante.