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 #291 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

Choose the answer choice that best completes the following sentence.

Her plan after graduation was still at an __________ stage; she didn't yet know whether she wanted to pursue graduate school or run away to Hollywood to be in show business.

Possible Answers:

explicit

inchoate

aberrant

anomalous

inhibited

Correct answer:

inchoate

Explanation:

You know you are looking for a word to describe a stage of the subject's post-graduation plans. From reading that she still doesn't even know whether grad school or Hollywood is a better option, you can safely infer she probably has not advanced very far in her plans yet; therefore, look for a word that means incomplete or disorganized. "Inchoate" means in an early stage or undeveloped, so it is the best fit for this sentence.

Example Question #943 : One Blank Texts

In a rush, the employer gave only a __________ look at the application before deciding not to hire the newly graduated applicant.

Possible Answers:

comprehensive

cursory

meticulous

detailed

Correct answer:

cursory

Explanation:

"Cursory" means hurried, hasty, or done with little attention.

Example Question #944 : One Blank Texts

The beautiful new painting hung in the living room gave the entire space a(n) __________ appeal.

Possible Answers:

aesthetic

grisly

grotesque

loathsome

unseemly

Correct answer:

aesthetic

Explanation:

"Aesthetic" means artistic, or dealing with art or beauty

Example Question #292 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The author preferred to avoid academic terms, and instead opted for more __________ language.

Possible Answers:

colloquial

virulent

structuralist

intellectual

incoherent

Correct answer:

colloquial

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts the author's "language," described by the missing word, with "academic terms."  This means the correct answer will mean the opposite of "academic," which when used regarding language means technical and wordy. "Colloquial," meaning informal and casual, particularly with regards to language, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #944 : One Blank Texts

The young boy was strikingly __________, and always noticed when his parents were talking about him.

Possible Answers:

oblivious

bungling

incoherent

percipient

naïve

Correct answer:

percipient

Explanation:

The sentence notes the "young boy" notices "when his parents are talking about him." This indicates he is aware of what his parents are doing, even when they do not want him to be.  "Percipient," meaning insightful and perceptive, is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #945 : One Blank Texts

The congressman was a usually __________ defender of policemen, and quickly came to the accused cop's aid.

Possible Answers:

indifferent

staunch

wavering

esoteric

ambivalent

Correct answer:

staunch

Explanation:

The last phrase of the sentence notes the congressman "quickly came to the accused cop's aid." This action indicates he was usually quite a strong defender of policeman. "Staunch," meaning loyal and dependable, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #946 : One Blank Texts

Her __________ plan to take over the leadership was revealed when her private journal was discovered with secret notes.

Possible Answers:

compliant

furtive

virulent

quaint

explicit

Correct answer:

furtive

Explanation:

The use of words like "private" and "secret" are the best indications of the correct answer choice.  While a few words could fit the sentence, the use of those words narrows down the selections.  Of all the answer choices, only "furtive," meaning hidden and secret, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #947 : One Blank Texts

The __________ groups claimed a legitimacy from the people the autocratic government was never able to truly claim.

Possible Answers:

perfunctory

establishmentarian

insurgent

quarantine

austere

Correct answer:

insurgent

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts the group, described by the missing word, as being against the "autocratic government." Additionally, the group is challenging the government's "legitimacy."  The correct answer must indicate all of these facts, and "insurgent," meaning rebellious and against the establishment, is the best choice.

Example Question #948 : One Blank Texts

The mission was seen as __________ by most of the military leadership due to the lack of success of similar missions in the past.

Possible Answers:

futile

worthwhile

strident

negotiable

quaint

Correct answer:

futile

Explanation:

The sentence describes past "similar missions" as having a "lack of success," and that this colored the "military leadership's" view, described by the missing word. The correct answer needs to indicate the leadership believes the mission will not work. "Futile," meaning useless or hopeless, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #293 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The film's slow pace and excessive run time made the viewing experience seem __________.

Possible Answers:

affable

peremptory

vital

interminable

engaging

Correct answer:

interminable

Explanation:

The film is described as having a "slow pace and excessive run time," which causes the viewing experience described the missing word.  The correct answer needs to mean long or slow.  "Interminable," meaning never-ending and ceaseless, is the best choice among the answers.

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