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 #201 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The king was notably __________, and often gave contradictory orders.

Possible Answers:

fickle

impulsive

lucid

succinct

decisive

Correct answer:

fickle

Explanation:

The king is giving "contradictory orders," which means the correct answer will indicate a sense of confusion or chaos. "Fickle," meaning unpredictable or easily swayed, is the best choice.

Example Question #201 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The songwriter was astonishingly __________, and she composed many more songs than her contemporaries.

Possible Answers:

prolific

apathetic

indifferent

egalitarian

circumscribed

Correct answer:

prolific

Explanation:

The songwriter "composed many more songs," meaning she had a great quantity songs. The correct answer needs to mean producing a large amount, the definition of "prolific."

Example Question #202 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

Many people believe political dysfunction is __________, as once any politician is elected corruption necessarily follows.

Possible Answers:

ineffable

euphemistic

arbitrary

tractable

inevitable

Correct answer:

inevitable

Explanation:

If "corruption follows" "any politician" when elected, then dysfunction will happen no matter what. The correct answer needs to demonstrate this consistency. "Inevitable," meaning unavoidable or bound to happen, is the best choice.

Example Question #203 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

Very few European cultures were __________, as men were firmly in control of politics, economics, and religion.

Possible Answers:

apathetic

libertarian

polygamist

matriarchal

mutinous

Correct answer:

matriarchal

Explanation:

Men being "in control" is used in reference as the opposite of the missing word, as "very few" cultures fit the description. The correct answer must mean governed by women, the definition of "matriarchal."

Example Question #204 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The old man was __________ enough never to buy anything new or at full price.

Possible Answers:

lavish

immoderate

parsimonious

apathetic

petulant

Correct answer:

parsimonious

Explanation:

If a man will "never buy anything new or at full price," he is watching his spending habits closely. The correct answer will indicate his careful approach to financial matters. "Parsimonious," meaning frugal or thrifty, is the best choice.

Example Question #205 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The __________ argument was immediately rebutted with a much more substantive one.

Possible Answers:

grave

ineffable

vacuous

resplendent

profound

Correct answer:

vacuous

Explanation:

The argument described by the missing word is contrasted with "a much more substantive one." The correct answer will mean empty or meaningless, the definition of "vacuous."

Example Question #206 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The employees were __________ about asking their boss for anything because of his volatile temper.

Possible Answers:

gratuitous

subversive

apprehensive

decisive

assertive

Correct answer:

apprehensive

Explanation:

Since the boss had a "volatile temper," asking him for things would be difficult. The correct answer will show the employees approached their boss with that difficulty in mind. "Apprehensive," meaning worried and fearful, is the best choice.

Example Question #207 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

In a new environment, people usually become __________ and gauge everyone around them before acting.

Possible Answers:

disinterested

masochistic

circumspect

indecisive

lax

Correct answer:

circumspect

Explanation:

To "gauge everyone" before taking action means that the missing word needs to indicate people judge their situation carefully. The correct answer will mean cautious or suspicious, the definition of "circumspect."

Example Question #208 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The expedition had a __________ first few weeks, with everything going wrong to delay it repeatedly.

Possible Answers:

purposeful

choleric

puerile

spurious

fitful

Correct answer:

fitful

Explanation:

Having things "delay it repeatedly" means the expedition was not moving very consistently. The correct answer will mean not continuous or inconsistent, the definition of "fitful."

Example Question #209 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The general was __________, and marched his army at a feverish pace.

Possible Answers:

esoteric

inexorable

deferent

disinterested

ambivalent

Correct answer:

inexorable

Explanation:

The general makes his army march "at a feverish pace." This means he is pushing them consistently hard. "Inexorable," meaning relentless and inevitable, is the correct answer.

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