Question 1·Easy·Words in Context
Although the mountain village was once remote, the construction of a new highway has made travel there much more ______, allowing tourists to arrive in less than two hours.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
For SAT Words-in-Context questions, first read the entire sentence and paraphrase what is happening, paying special attention to contrast words (like "although") and clues after commas or dashes. Decide whether the blank needs a positive, negative, or neutral word and what general idea it should express (speed, difficulty, frequency, danger, etc.). Then plug each choice into the sentence, eliminating any that clash with the tone or the specific detail given, and pick the one that is both logical and the most precise match for the context.
Hints
Look at the contrast word
Focus on the word "Although" and the phrase "was once remote." How does the construction of a new highway likely change that situation?
Use the second half of the sentence
Pay close attention to the phrase "allowing tourists to arrive in less than two hours." Does this detail suggest that travel became better or worse?
Check the tone and logic of each option
Decide whether the blank should have a positive or negative tone, then test each answer choice in the sentence and ask: does this describe an improvement in travel that matches the idea of tourists arriving quickly?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the situation in the sentence
The sentence contrasts the past with the present. It says the mountain village was once remote, but now there is a new highway. This suggests that access to the village has improved.
Use the clue after the comma
The phrase "allowing tourists to arrive in less than two hours" shows what changed: people can now get there much faster. This is an improvement in how easy or practical it is to travel there, not a problem or a danger.
Decide what kind of word is needed
Because the highway makes it possible for tourists to reach the village quickly, the missing word should have a positive meaning and reflect that travel has become better or more favorable in some way. A negative word would not fit this idea.
Evaluate each answer choice and choose the best fit
Check the options:
- tedious means boring or tiresome.
- frequent means happening often.
- convenient means well-suited or easy to use, especially because it saves time or effort.
- risky means dangerous. Only "convenient" logically describes travel that has improved and now lets tourists arrive in less than two hours, so "convenient" is the correct answer.