OLSAT® Question Type:Sentence Completion

In this post, we start with an overview of "Sentence Completion" question types. We also provide a sample question, accompanied by tips and strategies that every student can use to perform successfully on "Sentence Completion" questions during the official OLSAT® exam.

Sentence Completion Questions: What To Expect?

With these questions students will have to “fill in the blank(s).” The answer options outline a number of words that could be used to complete a given sentence.

However, students must choose the words that create a complete, logical sentence.

The amount of sentence completion questions on the test depends on the age of the student and the test level. For example, fourth and fifth grade students taking the OLSAT® (for admission into fifth and sixth grade) are expected to answer approximately 4 of these types of questions.

Sentence Completion: Sample Question

Correct Answer: E

For this question, the key is figuring out which answer options contains words which will both work in the context of the sentence. The only answer with two words fit clearly in the blanks is E.

Sentence Completion:Tips and Strategies

For many students, it is helpful to physically write down the provided words as they try to arrange the sentence.

Students are typically given five letters and asked to select the first letter of the last word of the sentence. For this reason, advise your student to write out the sentence correctly and circle the final word.

You should also instruct your student to read over the sentence once or twice in his head, or even mouth the words silently to himself to ensure the sentence “sounds right” and makes sense.

Probe incorrect answers to determine where your student’s thought process went wrong and attempt to correct errors in reasoning.

Discuss why the right answers are correct to reinforce solid reasoning.

What's Next?

Learn more about other verbal comprehension question types on the OLSAT, including Following Directions,Sentence Arrangement,and Antonyms.

Also try some sample questions and see critical teaching tips that cover other areas of the OLSAT, including the sections on verbal reasoning, pictoral reasoning, figural reasoning, and quantitative reasoning.

If you think you need more information and guidance about the OLSAT, check out our in-depth article on the test, as well as our posts on the verbal and non-verbal section.

Also, learn everything you need to know about other tests that measure a child’s potential to learn in school, like the NNAT or the COGAT.