All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #221 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The artist used many shades of paint, and even essentially solid colors were __________ upon close inspection.
lax
mundane
resplendent
variegated
flamboyant
variegated
The sentence both discusses "many shades," and that "essentially solid colors" were not what they seemed. The correct answer should mean multicolored or mixed, the definition of "variegated."
Example Question #222 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The challenge was brought because of an __________ rule most fans did not know existed.
itinerant
arcane
excessive
obstreperous
unequaled
arcane
The rule is one "fans did not know existed," so a description of the rule must reflect that. The correct answer should mean obscure or barely known, the definition of "arcane."
Example Question #223 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The embarassing incident on the first day made him __________ throughout the school.
consecrated
lauded
infamous
zealous
revered
infamous
The subject has suffered an "embarassing incident" that has become known "throughout the school." This means he has become well known for something bad, the definition of "infamous."
Example Question #221 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
After hours of listening to her son's loud and aggressive music, the woman sought a more __________ tone for her music choice.
voluble
discordant
subdued
rancorous
abrasive
subdued
The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with "loud and aggressive." The correct answer needs to mean softer and less aggressive. "Subdued," meaning restrained or controlled, is the best choice.
Example Question #222 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The body was found __________, and the police only found the stomach wounds when it was moved.
languid
reticent
exposed
torpid
prostrate
prostrate
The body had to be moved to see "stomach wounds." The correct answer must therefore mean lying face down, the definition of "prostrate."
Example Question #223 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The __________ meeting was deemed necessary because none of the parties wanted it known they were negotiating.
egregious
clandestine
proscribed
philanthropic
deliberate
clandestine
The meeting is one where no one "wanted it known" it was happening. The correct answer will reflect the meeting's discreet nature. "Clandestine," meaning secret or covert, is the best choice.
Example Question #224 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
After my dog had soiled my floors with his filthy paws, I cleaned the carpeting so __________ that it was once again bereft of all the dog fur and dirt that he had left in it.
indifferently
blithely
halfheartedly
indignantly
meticulously
meticulously
Because "halfheartedly" and "indifferently" mean that the person was not very concerned with cleaning the carpet, it would not make sense that the carpet was left so spotless. "Blithely" means happily, which also does not make sense. "Indignantly" could work because it means that the person was not happy about having to clean the carpet, but "meticulously", which means painstakingly, makes the most sense because of the emphasis placed on how clean the carpet was afterward.
Example Question #225 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
Volunteering at her local hospital bolstered Alejandra's already __________ interest in studying to become a nurse.
nascent
nonexistent
obliterated
infallible
disingenuous
nascent
"Infallible" means faultless, while "disingenuous" means fake, but neither of these make sense because we are talking about Alejandra's interest in nursing increasing somehow. "Obliterated" means completely destroyed, which means that she had no interest to bolster whatsoever. "Nonexistent" would also indicate that she had no interest in nursing whatsoever, which also makes no sense; however "nascent", meaning coming into being, does make sense.
Example Question #226 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
Rain and sun, though for the most part __________ to the healthy growth of plants, can hurt them when either is in excess.
conducive
antagonistic
calamitous
unfavorable
grievous
conducive
Rain and sun are, for the most part, good for plant growth, which means that "calamitous," "grievous," "unfavorable," and "antagonistic" do not work. But "conducive," meaning making a certain outcome likely, is a good choice.
Example Question #227 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
His __________ performance led many to wonder if he was even trying to do a good job.
irreproachable
abysmal
nascent
cheerful
disinterested
abysmal
The sentence indicates the quality of the performance was such that people wondered "if he was even trying." This means the correct answer will show his performance was not good. "Abysmal," meaning extremely bad, is the best fit among the answers.