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 #251 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The fact that she first chose blue paint, then yellow, then green reinforced Marco’s frustration with his __________ mother.
trenchant
peremptory
capricious
decisive
capricious
Capricious—variable; flightly; mercurial.
Example Question #252 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
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.
appurtenant
relevant
contemporary
anachronistic
anachronistic
Anachronistic—not in its correct historical or chronological time; an error in chronology.
Example Question #253 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The __________ legend about the abandoned house at the end of the block was almost certainly untrue.
unequivocal
apocryphal
incontrovertible
indubitable
apocryphal
Apocryphal—of doubtful authorship or authenticity.
Example Question #941 : Text Completion
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 #942 : Text Completion
Volatile and __________, the President changed the administration's policies frequently.
capricious
bucolic
bromidic
esurient
sententious
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 #943 : Text Completion
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.
repressed
precocious
inchoate
dubitable
conspicuous
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 #944 : Text Completion
Although Stephanie was normally loquacious, her teacher's incessant scolding due to her disruptive nature caused her to be more __________ during history class.
duplicitous
insouciant
reticent
loquacious
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 #945 : Text Completion
After seeing her new and improved complexion, Sara's friends thought her glow was undoubtedly due to her recent switch to __________ vegetarian meals.
salubrious
saccharine
insipid
indulgent
banal
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 #946 : Text Completion
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.
aristocratic
ascetic
miserly
epicurean
urbane
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 #951 : Text Completion
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.
derisive
histrionic
incredulous
cavalier
incoherent
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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