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 #1141 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Not a gifted speaker, his lectures were __________ rather than inspiring.

Possible Answers:

succinct

verbose

ebullient

prosaic

brief

Correct answer:

prosaic

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with "inspiring," meaning the correct answer must stand in opposition to "inspiring." "Prosaic," meaning ordinary and unimaginative, is the best choice.

Example Question #1151 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The landscape engineering was a miracle that turned the area from a boggy marsh to completely __________ in just a few years.

Possible Answers:

mired

tranquil

arable

potable

barren

Correct answer:

arable

Explanation:

The land went from "a boggy marsh" to the missing word in a "miracle" of engineering. This means the correct answer will contrast with "a boggy marsh." "Arable," meaning able to be cultivated and farmed, is the best fit.

Example Question #1152 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

In many cultures, insulting someone's family is such a __________ offense, it was cause relationships to stop.

Possible Answers:

carnal

pervasive

venial

gracious

flagrant

Correct answer:

flagrant

Explanation:

Causing "relationships to stop" is a strong reaction to any offense. The correct answer will make the offense strong enough to cause such a reaction. "Flagrant," meaning clearly wrong or obviously bad, is the best choice.

Example Question #1153 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Usually, approaching a stronger opponent on equal footing is __________, but challenging the opponent directly does sometimes work.

Possible Answers:

consecrated

inexpedient

conspicuous

irreproachable

condoned

Correct answer:

inexpedient

Explanation:

The sentence ends up noting the direct strategy will "sometimes work." This indicates the missing word is advising against the strategy. "Inexpedient," meaning unadvisable or inefficient, is the best choice.

Example Question #1154 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Most college students learn how to survive on __________ funds by eating lower quality foods.

Possible Answers:

boorish

meager

lavish

abundant

archaic

Correct answer:

meager

Explanation:

The students are "eating lower quality foods" because of their amount of funds. The missing word will indicate why they can only have "lower quality foods." "Meager," meaning scant or in short supply, is the correct answer.

Example Question #1155 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The boy was so __________, his date could hardly remember what she found charming about him.

Possible Answers:

affable

personable

infamous

vapid

ominous

Correct answer:

vapid

Explanation:

The sentence notes the date once found the boy "charming," but does not anymore. The correct answer must stand in contrast with "charming." "Vapid," meaning dull and shallow, is the best choice.

Example Question #1156 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Many children do not understand the rules their parents impose, and view them as completely __________.

Possible Answers:

trivial

subtle

utilitarian

arbitrary

necessary

Correct answer:

arbitrary

Explanation:

The sentence notes that "children do not understand" their parents motivations. The correct answer will indicate the children's inability to comprehend their parents' rules. "Arbitrary," meaning random or for no reason, is the best fit among the answers.

Example Question #1157 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

His consistent ability to call the outcome of races led many to think he was __________.

Possible Answers:

pedantic

prosaic

archaic

clairvoyant

mundane

Correct answer:

clairvoyant

Explanation:

The subject can "call the outcome of races," an ability that makes people call him the missing word. The correct answer needs to reference his predictive abilities. "Clairvoyant," meaning psychic or able to see the future, is the best fit.

Example Question #1158 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

In an era of staid performers in tuxedos, his sequined suits and feathered hats were even more __________.

Possible Answers:

flamboyant

pathetic

mundane

obtuse

underwhelming

Correct answer:

flamboyant

Explanation:

"Sequined suits and feathered hats" make someone stand out in a "staid" era. The sequins and feathers also indicate the subject was particularly showy and flashy. "Flamboyant," meaning over the top and excessive, is the correct answer.

Example Question #911 : Text Completion

The key to the tribe's belief system was that its king was __________, and his every decision had to be followed exactly.

Possible Answers:

ineffable

venal

irksome

argumentative

infallible

Correct answer:

infallible

Explanation:

The tribe's king has enough authority that his decisions are "followed exactly." This indicates the tribe views him as able to always make correct decisions. "Infallible," meaning perfect or unable to make mistakes, is the correct answer.

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