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 #171 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The __________ parties could rarely be brought to the negotiating table.

Possible Answers:

affable

fractious

tractable

innocuous

ambivalent

Correct answer:

fractious

Explanation:

The parties have trouble reaching "the negotiating table," which indicates they do not get along. The correct answer must reflect their disagreement. "Fractious," meaning irritable and unruly, is the best choice.

Example Question #172 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

For the awkward boys, the popular girls remained an __________ presence beyond their comprehension.

Possible Answers:

inscrutable

omnipotent

olfactory

ominous

illuminating

Correct answer:

inscrutable

Explanation:

The sentence outright states the "popular girls" were "beyond their comprehension" for the boys. The correct answer must further this incomprehensibility. "Inscrutable," meaning mysterious and impenetrable, is the best fit among the choices.

Example Question #173 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

No flaw went unnoticed thanks to the director's __________ nature.

Possible Answers:

erratic

fractious

punctilious

dogmatic

irreproachable

Correct answer:

punctilious

Explanation:

The director notices every flaw, a habit described by the missing word. The correct answer must mean paying attention to small details, the definition of "punctilious."

Example Question #174 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

His __________ claims about the incident were easily refuted by other people who were there.

Possible Answers:

spurious

verbose

restorative

benign

esoteric

Correct answer:

spurious

Explanation:

The subject's claims were "easily refuted," which indicates the claims are incorrect in some way. The correct answer must mean dubious or false, the definition of "spurious."

Example Question #175 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The dog appeared ferocious at first, but quickly proved to be quite __________.

Possible Answers:

remorseful

bellicose

belligerent

docile

histrionic

Correct answer:

docile

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with "ferocious;" therefore, the correct answer will be an antonym of "ferocious." "Docile," meaning gentle or easily controlled, is the best answer choice.

Example Question #176 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

Although he practiced medicine for a decade, he was instantly fired when the hospital discovered his license was __________.

Possible Answers:

jeopardized

insentient

fraudulent

excessive

authentic

Correct answer:

fraudulent

Explanation:

The subject was "instantly fired," so the problems with his license were quite serious. The correct answer needs to indicate the appropriate level of seriousness. "Fraudulent," meaning fake and deceptively false, is the best choice.

Example Question #177 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

Before the mission, he was __________ and went through every scenario in his head.

Possible Answers:

pensive

flippant

reckless

voluble

ambivalent

Correct answer:

pensive

Explanation:

Looking at "every scenario in his head" means he was analyzing the mission in great detail. The correct answer should mean deep reflection or thinking intensely, the definition of "pensive."

Example Question #178 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

Cut off from the main river, the water in small estuary became __________.

Possible Answers:

dynamic

potable

stagnant

officious

effusive

Correct answer:

stagnant

Explanation:

The estuary is "cut off from the main river," meaning it does not receive a regular flow of water. The correct answer must reflect this change in the water. "Stagnant," meaning still and unmoving, is the best choice.

Example Question #179 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

He was an __________ judge of investments, and made millions in the stock market.

Possible Answers:

irksome

inept

indifferent

astute

exuberant

Correct answer:

astute

Explanation:

Having "made millions in the stock market" means he judged investments quite well, and the correct answer must reflect this. "Astute," meaning perceptive and sharp, is the best choice.

Example Question #171 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

He was __________ in his opinions, and would never listen to any arguments against his beliefs.

Possible Answers:

poised

gullible

dogmatic

equivocal

reticent

Correct answer:

dogmatic

Explanation:

The sentence notes the subject would "never listen to any arguments." This means he was extremely attached to his opinions, and the correct answer must reflect this. "Dogmatic," meaning rigid and inflexible in beliefs, is the best fit among the answers.

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