GRE Verbal : Adjectives and Adverbs in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #727 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
As a young girl, she was a ________________ gymnast who beat everyone her age.
substandard
supercilious
irksome
indifferent
superlative
superlative
The girl "beat everyoe her age" as a gymnast, so presumably she was quite good. The correct answer needs to indicate just how good she was. "Superlative," meaning extremely good or the very best, is the most appropriate answer choice.
Example Question #728 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
A frightened animal will often take a _______________ pose to look threatening to other animals.
surreptitious
belligerent
exasperated
languid
jocular
belligerent
The animal is both "frightened" and trying "to look threatening." The correct answer needs to reflect the animal's aggression. "Belligerent," meaning willing and looking to fight, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #729 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The painter was often overshadowed by _______________ artists whose fame did not outlive them.
transient
callow
contemporary
redundant
inconsequential
contemporary
The painter is compared to what must be similar artists, "whose fame did not outlive them." The comparison is to artists from the same era as the painter. "Contemporary," meaning at the same time, is the correct answer.
Example Question #101 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
After the illness made her unable to eat solid foods, she looked _____________.
embroiled
ordained
emaciated
engrossed
consecrated
emaciated
The sentence notes she was "unable to eat solid foods," and then uses the missing word. The correct answer will indicate she looked under fed or malnourished. "Emaciated," meaning very thin or withered, is the best choice.
Example Question #756 : One Blank Texts
Weeks after going to the beach, his shoes were still ______________ with sand.
benign
lacquered
redundant
poised
gritty
gritty
The sand makes the shoes become the missing word. Sand is coarse an uncomfortable in shoes, and the correct answer should reflect this. "Gritty," meaning rough and coarse, is the best fit among the choices.
Example Question #102 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The Congressman preferred _________________ statements on the issue to avoid giving away how he would vote.
acrimonious
jingoistic
contrite
ambiguous
cogent
ambiguous
The Congressman is trying "to avoid giving away how he would vote," so his statements will presumably be unclear. "Ambiguous," meaning uncertain or unclear, is the correct answer.
Example Question #103 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The new charity sought to tap into the ___________________ desires of the city's wealthy.
salacious
susceptible
philanthropic
nomadic
lascivious
philanthropic
The key word in the sentence is "charity," and indicates that the "desires" relate to giving. The correct answer will mean supportive of charities and helping others, the definition of philanthropic.
Example Question #759 : One Blank Texts
Some people blamed his _______________ demeanor on a childhood experience, but others just thought he was mean.
affable
candid
demure
contrite
surly
surly
The man is outright described as "mean," so the missing word will in some way be a synonym of "mean." Of all the answer choices, "surly," meaning grumpy or rude, is the best fit.
Example Question #760 : One Blank Texts
The stories often took place in a _______________ realm that distorted reality.
histrionic
whimsical
alchemical
gritty
philistine
whimsical
The sentence says the realm changes reality. The correct answer will indicat that the realm is odd or fantastical. "Whimsical," meaning fanciful and imaginative, is the best choice.
Example Question #102 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The scandalized politician appeared _____________, and hoped the voters would accept his apology.
congenial
contrite
susceptible
bellicose
irascible
contrite
The last phrase of the sentence mentions the politician's "apology," and pairs it with the missing word. The correct answer needs to indicate an apologetic tone, which is the definition of "contrite."
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