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 #1070 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Many therapists encourage _______________ methods to promote human contact with their patients.

Possible Answers:

aloof

reclusive

erratic

bestial

tactile

Correct answer:

tactile

Explanation:

The key phrase in the sentence is "human contact." The correct answer needs to relate to "human contact" in some way. "Tactile," meaning related to the sense of touch, is the best fit.

Example Question #131 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

He had a reputation of being _______________ as a young man, but he became a serene presence in his twilight years.

Possible Answers:

reclusive

mundane

zany

taciturn

poised

Correct answer:

zany

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts the man's "serence presence" as he aged, with his younger reputation. The correct answer will mean the opposite of "serene." "Zany," meaning crazy or wacky, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #132 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The general only adopted unusual methods when it became clear _____________ strategies would not work.

Possible Answers:

erratic

quirky

novel

conventional

obscure

Correct answer:

conventional

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with the general's "unusual methods." The correct answer will effectively mean usual. "Conventional," meaning common or customary, is the correct answer.

Example Question #133 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

Campfire cooking provided a ______________ experience none of the hikers would soon forget.

Possible Answers:

tactile

auditory

olfactory

contemporary

gustatory

Correct answer:

gustatory

Explanation:

The key word in the sentence is "cooking." The correct answer will be a word relating to cooking or eating. "Gustatory," meaning concerned with the sense of taste, is the correct answer.

Example Question #134 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

Thanks to his _______________ spending habits, he had saved quite a bit of money over the years.

Possible Answers:

jaundiced

lavish

deleterious

judicious

supercilious

Correct answer:

judicious

Explanation:

The sentence connects the subject's "spending habits" to his ability to save. The correct answer needs to indicate the man's spending habits were wise and careful enough to save money. "Judicious," meaning reasonable and smart in judgment, is the best choice.

Example Question #135 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

More than anything else, the ability to make more money through bonuses as a salesman was _________________ in his decision to decline a promotion.

Possible Answers:

incidental

ambivalent

supercilious

elusive

pivotal

Correct answer:

pivotal

Explanation:

The key phrase in the sentence is "more than anything else." The correct answer will stress the role the bonuses played in the decision. "Pivotal," meaning of central importance, is the best choice.

Example Question #1076 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The legend states he was so ______________ he once got stuck in a bathtub.

Possible Answers:

emaciated

corpulent

wistful

lithe

taciturn

Correct answer:

corpulent

Explanation:

To get "stuck in a bathtub" requires a person to be quite large. The correct answer needs to mean sizable or big. "Corpulent," meaning grossly fat or overweight, is the best fit.

Example Question #136 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The motivational speech was an underwhelming recitation of ________________ cliches and lame jokes.

Possible Answers:

brusque

eloquent

candid

hackneyed

novel

Correct answer:

hackneyed

Explanation:

The sentence calls the speech "underwhelming," and pairs the missing word with "lame." The correct answer will further the disappointing nature of the speech. "Hackneyed," meaning common and overused, is the best choice.

Example Question #137 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

Her _______________ manner was surprising, as her parents hardly ever spoke.

Possible Answers:

poised

nomadic

loquacious

taciturn

reclusive

Correct answer:

loquacious

Explanation:

The sentence calls the subject's manner "surprising" in light of her parent's quiet demeanor. The correct answer must stand against her parents' never speaking. "Loquacious," meaning very talkative, is the best choice.

Example Question #138 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

His ______________ approach to the sport soon was copied by competitors and quickly became the standard method.

Possible Answers:

lax

novel

nostalgic

epistolary

mundane

Correct answer:

novel

Explanation:

The approach to the sport "became the standard method" only after being "copied by competitors." This implies it was not the standard method at first, and the correct answer will reflect this. "Novel," meaning new and innovative, is the best choice.

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