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 #151 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The school was so ________________ that they had not bought new furniture in over two decades.

Possible Answers:

judicious

supercilious

excessive

frugal

lavish

Correct answer:

frugal

Explanation:

The school has "not bought new furniture," meaning that the school is either unwilling or unable to spend money. The correct answer should mean extremely economical or penny-pinching, the definition of "frugal."

Example Question #152 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The Board President resigned after the company took measures _______________ to her values.

Possible Answers:

imitative

contemporary

disinterested

inimical

impartial

Correct answer:

inimical

Explanation:

A "Board President" leaving a company over values indicates a disagreement, and the correct answer must reflect this. "Inimical," meaning at odds with or hostile to, is the best choice.

Example Question #153 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

His _____________ temperament made it hard for his family to make concrete plans.

Possible Answers:

punctilious

mercurial

perspicacious

poised

meticulous

Correct answer:

mercurial

Explanation:

The man's temperament causes "concrete plans" to be difficult. The correct answer needs to indicate what creates such a hardship. "Mercurial," meaning volatile and changeable, like the metal mercury, is the best choice.

Example Question #154 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The composer's career saw him move from complicated orchestrations to ____________ arrangements.

Possible Answers:

jubilant

baroque

rococo

sparse

excessive

Correct answer:

sparse

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts the composer's "complicated orchestrations" to his later arrangements, which are described by the missing word. The correct answer should indicate that the later arrangements were uncomplicated. "Sparse," meaning bare or meager, is the best choice.

Example Question #155 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

It was impossible to follow the angry man’s argument. Constantly __________, the meaning of one term seemed to transform as many times as did his changing temper.

Possible Answers:

belligerent

berating

equivocating

bellicose

capricious

Correct answer:

equivocating

Explanation:

The sentence works well with one of the participial beginnings. Here, vocabulary probably helps best, though. Clearly, the point is that he keeps changing his terms; therefore, he is "equivocating." Equivocation comes from the Latin aequus for equal and voco. The first has many examples that are readily available. Voco is seen in words like "convocation," "vocal," "advocate," and so forth. The word is so derived because equivocation means that one treats two or more words as though they were the same (Thus, they are "equally called").  For instance, in English, we use the word "bank" to represent both the edge of a river as well as the financial institution.

Example Question #155 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The young woman hated chain stores, filling her home with __________ furniture.

Possible Answers:

synthetic

artisanal

sallow

generic

mundane

Correct answer:

artisanal

Explanation:

The young woman is trying to avoid "chain stores" and what is sold there. As "chain stores" have many identical items, the woman will be looking for one of a kind furniture. "Artisanal," meaning crafted and handmade, is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #156 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The boy was annoying but __________, causing little long term harm.

Possible Answers:

egregious

irksome

innocuous

ominous

transgressive

Correct answer:

innocuous

Explanation:

The missing word is paired with the phrase "causing little long term harm." The correct answer must mean harmless or inoffensive, which is the definition of "innocuous."

Example Question #157 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

She often told instructive stories __________, so as not to call out specific people.

Possible Answers:

literally

petulantly

metaphorically

sycophantically

belligerently

Correct answer:

metaphorically

Explanation:

The subject is trying to avoid calling out "specific people," and her style of lessons must follow this pattern. The correct answer will indicate she is avoiding mentioning identifying details. "Metaphorically," meaning symbolically or figuratively, is the best choice.

Example Question #158 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

He was known for an incredible voice, with a __________ singing range.

Possible Answers:

peerless

supercilious

philistine

useless

sagacious

Correct answer:

peerless

Explanation:

The key word in the sentence is "incredible," which parallels the missing word. The correct answer will be similar in meaning to "incredible." "Peerless," meaning unequaled or the very best, is the appropriate choice.

Example Question #159 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The boy's decisions were rarely __________, and recklessness often got him in trouble.

Possible Answers:

prudent

mercurial

perspicacious

fortuitous

prescient

Correct answer:

prudent

Explanation:

The boy is described as having a particular "recklessness." If his decisions were "rarely" of something, then the correct answer must be an antonym of "reckless." "Prudent," meaning responsible and wise, is the best choice.

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