Intro to Triple Blank Sentences
1. Read entire sentence
2. Try to create overall meaning - break down sentence
3. Read deep
4. Look for consistency between blanks
5. Plug words in - make sure sentences convey coherent meaning
Long Triple Blank Sentences
Features:
- 70+ words
- sometimes one long sentence...sometimes multiple sentences
- sometimes blanks are evenly distributed... sometimes not.
- complex grammar: always.
- context found throughout the sentence or sentences: always.
- difficult: almost always
Tips and Tricks:
- start with immediate context clues, then work your way outward.
- look for chances to eliminate clearly wrong answers as early as possible.
- mentally paraphrase the prompt as you go.
- Double-check your comprehension as you go, and at the end.
- these strategies work on all triple blanks, but are especially important for the long ones
Beware of Counter Intuitive Choices
One Sentence Triple Blank
1. Relatively common
2. Similar to double-blank
3. Follow the basic approach
4. Use strategies from Double Blank TC (‘The Other Blank is the Clue’, etc.)
Advanced Triple Blanks
- generally longer (75+ Words)
- complex syntax
- often have advanced vocabulary, but context is more important than individual word meaning
Tips and Tricks
- identify and ‘decode’ the hardest words and phrases
- if possible, paraphrase all meaning before you fill in any blanks
- think of your own word that might work in a blank, then look for a matching answer.
- double check the meaning again as you fill in the blanks. Does it still make sense?
- do not focus on the words or phrases you do not know - focus on what you do know
- read every word! Avoid skimming and scanning
Big Ideas
- comprehension checks and paraphrasing are key to Advanced Triple Blanks
- check for comprehension as you go, and check again at the end
- you do NOT need to understand every difficult word in an Advanced Triple Blank
- focus on whole meaning, not word-level meaning
- Do not be afraid to take notes
Hidden Clues
More advance students....
Multiple Word Answers
Working Backwards
Sometimes, there is no way to tell what could be in the first two blanks... at least not right away
At times like this, start with the third blank
Once the third blank is solved, the first and second should fall into place
Useful strategies
- read and mentally paraphrase the context
- come up with your own word for the blank
- find the matching answer
- the difference: you will come up with your own word and find the matching answer in the third blank first
