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 #191 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

He was notably __________ about his job, and his boss thought he wanted to be fired.

Possible Answers:

sagacious

ebullient

enthusiastic

apathetic

rigorous

Correct answer:

apathetic

Explanation:

The fact "his boss thought he wanted to be fired" means he is not doing his job well. The correct answer will show his poor performance and attitude. "Apathetic," meaning indifferent or uninterested, is the best choice.

Example Question #192 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

His delay was __________, as it meant he missed seeing the accident firsthand.

Possible Answers:

prolific

immoderate

felicitous

inappropriate

supercilious

Correct answer:

felicitous

Explanation:

Missing "seeing the accident firsthand" is a good thing. This means the subject's delay was a positive development. "Fortuitous," meaning lucky or fortunate, is the correct answer.

Example Question #193 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The poet considered true love __________, and pointedly refused to write about it.

Possible Answers:

ineffable

subtle

lucid

cogent

succinct

Correct answer:

ineffable

Explanation:

If the poet "refused to write about it," then it can safely be assumed the poet finds it difficult to write about. The correct answer must explain why it is difficult to write about. "Ineffable," meaning hard to put into words, is the best choice.

Example Question #194 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The creature was baffling to zoologists, who did not know it was a __________, because they could not see its pouch.

Possible Answers:

relic

amphibian

omnivore

invertebrate

marsupial

Correct answer:

marsupial

Explanation:

The sentence notes the "creature" had a "pouch," which makes finding the correct answer fairly straightforward. A "marsupial" is a mammal with a pouch to carry its young.

Example Question #195 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The congressman was accused of being __________ and never caring what happened in his colleagues' districts.

Possible Answers:

egalitarian

munificent

altruistic

generous

parochial

Correct answer:

parochial

Explanation:

The congressman's lack of concern for "his colleagues' districts" indicates his interest only in matters that concern his district. "Parochial," meaning narrow minded or obsessed with local concerns, is the best fit.

Example Question #196 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

She was highly __________ of her sister's boasts, and demanded proof of her achievements.

Possible Answers:

nostalgic

equivocal

dispassionate

gullible

skeptical

Correct answer:

skeptical

Explanation:

Having "demanded proof" of the boasts, it is clear the subject does not believe her sister. The correct answer should mean doubting or disbelieving, the definition of skeptical.

Example Question #197 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The gangster took __________ routes to his destinations to make it harder on his enemies to track him.

Possible Answers:

infamous

punctilious

circuitous

expedient

inexorable

Correct answer:

circuitous

Explanation:

The gangster is trying "to make it harder" to be tracked, which means his routes will be hard to follow. The correct answer must mean indirect or roundabout, the definition of "circuitous."

Example Question #198 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

He was so __________ in the kitchen, he could hardly chop vegetables.

Possible Answers:

exemplary

inexorable

adroit

dextrous

inept

Correct answer:

inept

Explanation:

As "he could hardly chop vegetables," his skill in the kitchen is obviously severely limited. The correct answer needs to mean unskilled or incompetent, the definition of "inept."

Example Question #199 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The politician played up a __________ image, but was actually born into considerable wealth.

Possible Answers:

proletarian

lofty

lavish

parochial

bourgeois

Correct answer:

proletarian

Explanation:

The politician has "played up" an image at odds with being "born into considerable wealth." The correct answer needs to mean not wealthy, or even poor. "Proletarian," meaning of the working class, is the best choice.

Example Question #200 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The story's many unrealistic elements led scholars to believe it was __________.

Possible Answers:

verifiable

irreproachable

parsimonious

apocryphal

circuitous

Correct answer:

apocryphal

Explanation:

Because the story contains "unrealistic elements," it can safely be assumed that the stories are false or incorrect. The correct answer will indicate some level of inaccuracy. "Apocryphal," meaning of doubtful origin or legendary, is the correct answer.

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