GRE Verbal : Adjectives and Adverbs in One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

Example Question #91 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The teacher had taught so long, many students considered him an essentially _______________ part of the school.

Possible Answers:

inconsequential

transient

volatile

trivial

immutable

Correct answer:

immutable

Explanation:

The teacher has "taught so long," which indicates he was an important part of the school, and the correct answer will show that permanence. "Immutable," meaning unchanging or unmoveable, is the best choice.

Example Question #92 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The design style of the mansion was pure _______________, featuring expensive chandeliers and gold fixtures.

Possible Answers:

mendacity

archaic

opulence

banality

rustic

Correct answer:

opulence

Explanation:

The "expensive chandeliers and gold fixtures" are the best clue to the answer. The correct answer needs to indicate extreme wealth. "Opulence," meaning extremely expensive and gaudy, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #93 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

Many romance novels are banned from libraries for their ________________ nature and shocking scenes.

Possible Answers:

irreproachable

exegetical

laudatory

salacious

sagacious

Correct answer:

salacious

Explanation:

Both "romance" and "shocking" are used as descriptors of the banned books, as well as the missing word. The correct answer needs to fit with both  of the other words mentioned.  "Salacious," meaning lecherous or sensational, is the best answer choice.

Example Question #94 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The newscaster was exciting as a young man, but increasingly spoke in _____________ soundbites as he grew older.

Possible Answers:

ebullient

beguiling

subversive

trite

effusive

Correct answer:

trite

Explanation:

The newscaster's current style, described by the missing word, is contrasted with his "exciting" style as a young man. The correct answer will then be an antonym of "exciting."  "Trite," meaning boring and overused, is the best fit among the choices.

Example Question #95 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The teacher tried to draw out the student, whose                      personality made him reluctant to speak up in class.

Possible Answers:

voluble

succinct

jaunty

reticent

hysterical

Correct answer:

reticent

Explanation:

The student is shy/reserved, which means he is not voluble, hysterical, or jaunty. He may be succinct, but the impression is that he is shy, not just that he uses few words. He is reticent.

Example Question #96 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The two nations' _____________ rhetoric was seen as a chief reason for their fighting.

Possible Answers:

ambiguous

jaunty

phlegmatic

benign

bellicose

Correct answer:

bellicose

Explanation:

The sentence outright states the two nations were fighting because of their rhetoric. The correct answer needs to indicate the hatred and posturing by the nations that would cause conflict. "Bellicose," meaning aggressive and war like, is the correct answer. 

Example Question #97 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The young man wanted to be the _______________ actor, and tailored his habits after his acting role models.

Possible Answers:

consummate

egregious

altruistic

contemporary

subversive

Correct answer:

consummate

Explanation:

Copying his "role models" means the young man is trying to live up to them. The correct answer will demonstrate the boys' desire to perfection as an actor. "Consummate," meaning total or supremely good, is the best choice.

Example Question #98 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The solution to the problem was _______________, no matter what the scientists tried.

Possible Answers:

elusive

irreproachable

deleterious

potent

exceptionable

Correct answer:

elusive

Explanation:

The phrase "no matter what the scientists tried," indicates the solution was never found. The correct answer needs to demonstrate their uncertainty or fruitlessness. "Elusive," meaning difficult to grasp or pin down, is the best fit among the answers.

Example Question #99 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The introverted son faded into the background among his many ______________ relatives.

Possible Answers:

jaundiced

gregarious

irascible

supercilious

negligent

Correct answer:

gregarious

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts the missing word with the son's "introverted" personality. The correct answer will then mean extroverted or sociable, the definition of "gregarious."

Example Question #100 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

Years of watching legislation fail made the lobbyist _______________ about getting the initiative passed.

Possible Answers:

placated

jaundiced

torpid

ebullient

jocular

Correct answer:

jaundiced

Explanation:

"Watching legislation fail" means the lobbyist would not expect the initiative to pass now.  The correct answer will show the lobbyist's dejection and negativity. "Jaundiced," meaning cynical or pessimistic, is the best choice.

Tired of practice problems?

Try live online GRE prep today.

1-on-1 Tutoring
Live Online Class
1-on-1 + Class
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors