Sentence Completion — grammatical fit + word limit precision

Question type

Sentence with blank to fill. Word/phrase from text (NO MORE THAN N WORDS).

Example: "The most significant cause of pollution is ___."

4-step framework

Step 1: Identify word class needed

Look at blank position:

• Before noun → adjective/determiner
• After "the/a" → noun
• After preposition → noun/gerund
• After modal → bare verb
• After "to" → infinitive

Example: "It is ___ to study every day." → "It is + ADJECTIVE + to-infinitive" → Need adjective (important, necessary, useful, etc.)

Step 2: Identify topic/keyword

Locate sentence in text using surrounding context.

Step 3: Read text section

Find exact word/phrase that:

• Has correct word class
• Fits grammar of sentence
• Doesn't exceed word limit

Step 4: Verify

• Word count ≤ limit
• Grammar fits naturally
• Spelling exact from text

Common pitfalls

Pitfall 1: Wrong word form

Question expects adjective, text has noun. Don't use noun — find adjective form.

Text: "The plan was a success." Question: "The plan was ___." → Need adjective. "Successful" — but is it in text? If not in text exactly → can't use. Look for adjective synonyms or adjacent forms.

Pitfall 2: Choosing 3 words when limit is 2

"NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS":

• 1 word OK ("effective")
• 2 words OK ("highly effective")
• 3 words = WRONG even if meaning right

Count carefully. Hyphenated = 1 word.

Pitfall 3: Adding words not in text

Never add: "the", "a", articles. Use EXACT text words.

Pitfall 4: Synonyms instead of exact words

Text: "reduce expenses" You write: "cut costs" → Wrong. Use "reduce expenses" exactly.

Worked example

Question: "The new technology has caused a significant change in ___."

Text: "This breakthrough has dramatically transformed how people communicate across distances, with messaging applications now central to daily life."

Analysis:

• Sentence needs noun (after "in")
• Topic: change caused by technology
• Text mentions transformation in communication
• Phrase: "how people communicate" (5 words) — too long
• Phrase: "communicate across distances" (3 words)
• Single word: "communication"