Cover
up your answers and carefully read the sentence. When a sentence completion question has two
blanks, you will choose the blank that seems easier, predict a word to fill
that blank, and then match that prediction to the answer choices. Eliminate any choices that do not match. Then go back to the other blank and follow
the same process. The only difference is
that you do not need to look at any of the answer choices that have already
been eliminated. Remember to look at all
the answer choices that have not been eliminated, even if you make a prediction
that perfectly matches one choice.
A dictatorship ------- its
citizens to be docile and finds it expedient to make outcasts of those who do
not ------- .
This sentence completion
question is about a dictatorship. The
second blank may be a little easier to think about: What kind of people would be outcasts in a
dictatorship? Anyone who does not obey
the dictatorship! Use “obey” as your
prediction and look down at the second part of all of your answer choices.
(A) forces . . rebel
(B) expects . . disobey
(C) requires . . conform
(D) allows . . withdraw
(E) forbids . . agree
(A) and (B) are the
opposite of your prediction. Eliminate
them. (C) matches your prediction. (D) does not directly concern obedience, so
you can eliminate it. (E) is not a
perfect match, but you can hang onto any choices that you are not sure about.
Now look at the first
blank. In a dictatorship, do citizens
have any kind of choice? No. Even if you are not sure about the meaning of
the word “docile,” you can eliminate anything that is not a forceful word for
this blank. Think about how the word “docile”
relates to your second blank. If the
dictatorship is making outcasts of those who do not obey, it makes sense to say
that they are forcing people to obey. It
is logical to predict that the word “docile” has something to do with obeying
authority. A good prediction for the
blank would be “makes” or “forces.”
Note: Your prediction
exactly matches (A), but you already eliminated (A)! Look for synonyms in the remaining answer
choices that have not yet been eliminated.
(C) requires . . conform
(E) forbids . . agree
(C) matches your prediction. (E) is the opposite of your prediction.
The correct answer choice is (C).
Words used in this SC:
Dictatorship: a government that holds absolute power and control
Docile: obedient or easily taught (Knowsys vocabulary word!)
Expedient: easy, quick, or convenient
Rebel: resist authority
Conform: act according to set rules or act like others
Withdraw: pull back or take back
Forbids: does not allow, prohibits
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