Sentence Completion for CLAT 2020
Sentence completion questions are designed to check the comprehension ability as well as the knowledge of the meaning of the words of the students. Questions like these are asked in the CLAT and other law entrance examination to check the correct application of words in the sentence.
There are a certain set of words which use peculiar words along with them to give a suitable meaning. For example, we always say, ‘a volcano has erupted’ but we never say that ‘a volcano has outburst’ though meaning of both the sentences is same, both refer to the sudden outbreak of the volcano but the peculiar word ‘eruption’ is used specifically to denote the sudden outbreak of the volcano.
Similarly in order to complete a sentence, one needs to comprehend that which of the synonym or a word is to be used in a sentence to give it a logical and grammatically correct meaning.
Solving these types of questions is not very difficult it just requires the presence of mind and thorough reading of the sentence asked. But still following tricks can be used to solve these questions in a quick manner:
Firstly, read the sentence very carefully and understand the meaning of the question. By this step, you will get to know what kind of word is required to be filled in the sentence i.e. the meaning of the word to give the sentence a complete and logical meaning.
For example, if the sentence is ‘health is too important to be ____’. Now when you will read the sentence you will realise in order to complete the sentence you need to fill it with the word which has the same meaning as that of ‘ignore’.
So amongst the options find the word which has the same meaning as that of ignore and which suits best in the sentence.
Secondly, use the elimination method. When once you have realised the meaning of the word that is to be filled in, eliminate the words which do not mean the same or have a different sense than what is fetched.
This will make it easier to choose amongst the options.
If the choices are closely related then amongst the options look for the mandatory pair i.e. certain words which are meant to be used particularly with a certain set of words.
For example, with a volcano, we always use the word ‘eruption’ to denote a sudden outbreak, for denoting a group of sheep we use ‘flock of sheep’ etc.
Also, look for the correct usage of conjunction, preposition and articles. For example, the sentence is ‘I ____ you to keep quiet’ and options given are ‘beg of’, ‘beg from’, ‘beg for’ or ‘beg’.
Here the correct answer is ‘beg of’ beg of someone and not beg from someone. Likewise, you put an article ‘on the table’ and not ‘at the table’.
Lastly, read the words written before and after the blank because the answer will have a connection to either of them.
So try to connect the answer with either the preceding or succeeding word to the blank. Usage of tenses, conjunctions, prepositions, articles etc is seen in reference to these words only.
One needs to visualize the sentence and look for the hint in order to find the appropriate word. The confusion arises when the choice is left in between the similar meaning words.
Thus to avoid this question read the sentence by using both the words and check which one of them gives the most sensible meaning in reading as well as in sound.
Now let us try to apply these tricks in a few examples:
Question: Select the most suitable alternative to fill in the blanks in the sentence to give it a logical meaning.
- Please do not ____ an offer made by the chairman.
- Refrain
- Refute
- Refuse
- Refuge
Now here if you read the sentence you will realise that the word meaning as that of deny is required i.e. the sentence is talking about not to deny the offer made by the chairman.
So amongst the options only option c fit into the meaning as other words have a different meaning than that of deny. Thus ‘refuse’ is the answer.
- He stood as ____ as a rock and faced the challenge.
- Quiet
- Strong
- Solid
- Firm
Herein rock is used as a metaphor for a person i.e. a person who has characteristics as that of a rock when it comes to face the challenge.
Now if you visualize the sentence a rock stands still and does not move from its place whatever be the difficulty. So the sentence wants to imply that the person stood as still and strong as a rock and faced the challenges bravely without giving up.
Therefore the correct option is ‘firm’. Firm means to stand strong and remain in the same shape. Thus herein firm represents the human version of a rock and it is the answer.
- He is ____ to ____ any kind of work with due sincerity.
- Fond; perform
- Reluctant; entrust
- Determined; undertake
- Eager; avoid
In these types of sentences, one needs to build a connection between two blanks according to the meaning of the sentence. Herein the sentence is suggesting a work can be done with sincerity by him i.e. he is ready to do the work with sincerity.
Thus amongst the options, only option c fits in the best as it completes the meaning of the sentence by stating that ‘he is determined to undertake any kind of work with due sincerity’.
- ______ an old legend King Raja lived in India.
- In the event of
- Due to
- According to
- In reference to
Herein the sentence is talking about what is suggested by an old legend i.e. opinion of an old legend is stated that King Raja lived in India so phrase ‘according to’ will be used here as it is an opinion of a person and no reference is being made to a text or an occasion. Thus option c will be the answer.
Therefore, in this manner, the questions of ‘sentence completion’ questions can be solved in a quick span of time as in the examinations like CLAT and other entrance examinations it is a race against time.
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Aditya Anand
Contributing author
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