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 #1190 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The fact that she first chose blue paint, then yellow, then green reinforced Marco’s frustration with his __________ mother.
peremptory
trenchant
decisive
capricious
capricious
Capricious—variable; flightly; mercurial.
Example Question #1191 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His costume, replete with stovetop hat and distinctive beard, was a convincing Abraham Lincoln; however, the digital watch on his wrist was a completely __________ prop.
anachronistic
appurtenant
contemporary
relevant
anachronistic
Anachronistic—not in its correct historical or chronological time; an error in chronology.
Example Question #1192 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The __________ legend about the abandoned house at the end of the block was almost certainly untrue.
unequivocal
incontrovertible
apocryphal
indubitable
apocryphal
Apocryphal—of doubtful authorship or authenticity.
Example Question #901 : One Blank Texts
Although it recycled concepts from previous work, the musical arrangment was heralded by critics as __________.
stolid
innovative
nebulous
esoteric
ingenuous
innovative
The "although" here is a clue—it shows that despite using old material, the composition is the opposite of that. "Innovative" is the correct answer, meaning "advanced and original, featuring new methods." Don't confuse "ingenuous" with "ingenious"—it means "innocent."
Example Question #902 : One Blank Texts
Volatile and __________, the President changed the administration's policies frequently.
capricious
bromidic
bucolic
sententious
esurient
capricious
The conjunction "and", as well as the comma, are clues here. So we're looking for a word that refers both to being volatile (changing rapidly and unpredictably) and changing frequently—the same thing. "Capricious" fits best—meaning "given to sudden changes in mood or behavior."
Example Question #903 : One Blank Texts
The guitar student in the apartment adjoining ours had __________ talent; although the music reaching our apartment was anything but mellifluous, we could tell he possessed a latent sense of rhythm and musicality.
inchoate
conspicuous
repressed
precocious
dubitable
inchoate
The sentence states that although the guitar student doesn't produce beautiful music at the moment, he is advancing in his musical abilities. Thus, he has inchoate talent that is being formed.
Example Question #904 : One Blank Texts
Although Stephanie was normally loquacious, her teacher's incessant scolding due to her disruptive nature caused her to be more __________ during history class.
loquacious
duplicitous
insouciant
reticent
mettlesome
reticent
Since she was normally gregarious or sociable, Stephanie's teacher needed to scold her for being too talkative. Thus, to eliminate the scolding, Stephanie was "reticent," or reserved, during class.
Example Question #905 : One Blank Texts
After seeing her new and improved complexion, Sara's friends thought her glow was undoubtedly due to her recent switch to __________ vegetarian meals.
insipid
banal
salubrious
indulgent
saccharine
salubrious
Based upon the statement that Sara has a glow due to her new diet, it indicates her diet is healthy and she is partaking in "salubrious" vegetarian meals.
Example Question #906 : One Blank Texts
Unlike her neighbors who ostentatiously displayed their wealth with grandiose sculptures on their front lawn, Brittney was simple and preferred a(n) __________ style of living.
epicurean
ascetic
urbane
miserly
aristocratic
ascetic
The key word in the sentence is "simple," which suggests that Brittney prefers an "ascetic," or simple, way of living to that of her indulgent neighbors. Miserly suggests a stingy way of living and based upon the statement, this would not be the best answer.
Example Question #251 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
Although a doctoral student would typically be distraught if his or her doctoral thesis was not approved after years of research, this particular doctoral candidate simply gave a shrug and said a few __________ remarks to the panel before exiting the conference room.
incoherent
incredulous
histrionic
cavalier
derisive
cavalier
Since the doctoral student seemed unconcerned after his or her thesis was rejected by the panel, the student most likely made "cavalier" remarks or offhand statements.
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