GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1021 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The sense of security felt by many in a car is often _______________, and safety advocates urge more caution from drivers.
stupefying
condoned
supercilious
illusory
debilitating
illusory
"Safety advocates" urging "caution" means drivers are not as secure as they believe. The correct answer will mean that drivers are wrong or misguided about their safety. "Illusory," meaning deceptive or fake, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1022 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The storm left the building in a _____________ situation, swaying back and forth with every gust of wind.
portentous
rigorous
mundane
laudatory
precarious
precarious
The building is "swaying back and forth" after a storm. The correct answer will indicate the building's troubling position. "Precarious," meaning unstable or uncertain, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #1023 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His knowledge of cars and sports made his fellow teenage boys believe he was more _______________ than he was.
demure
nefarious
iconoclastic
cynical
sagacious
sagacious
The sentence ultimately concerns the subject's knowledge, and his peers reaction to it. The correct answer will indicate his knowledge, or his perceived knowledge. "Sagacious," meaning wise or full of good advice, is the best choice.
Example Question #1024 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His preferred method of dumping girlfriends in a text message showed how _____________ he truly was.
affable
noble
rigorous
callow
personable
callow
The subject's preferred method, "text message," is a sign of his indifference to his girlfriends and the correct answer will show this. "Callow," meaning immature and unfeeling, is the best choice.
Example Question #1025 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The boys did a particularly ______________ job painting, leaving walls uneven and dripping paint everywhere.
laudatory
nebulous
execrable
condonable
salacious
execrable
The second phrase of the sentence indicates that the painting job was not done well, and the correct answer will reflect this. "Execrable," meaning extremely bad, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #1026 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
He was notably _______________ in his habits, spending too much money and drinking too much alcohol.
cynical
temperate
immoderate
altruistic
ominous
immoderate
The key phrase in the sentence is "too much," and it is used twice. The correct answer will mean excessive or extreme, which is the definition of "immoderate."
Example Question #1026 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Most religions ask for their followers to live a perfect life, but understand most people cannot achieve such a _____________ goal.
germane
haughty
trivial
lofty
mundane
lofty
The key phrase in the sentence is "perfect life." As a goal, this would be a difficult and noble one, and the correct answer will reflect this. "Lofty," meaning high or noble, is the best choice.
Example Question #1028 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The frosting on the windows made them ______________, and no light came into the room.
opaque
ominous
obscene
onerous
opulent
opaque
The fact that "no light came into the room" indicate the frosting on the windows was too strong or thick. The correct answer will mean unable to let light through, the definition of "opaque."
Example Question #1029 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The interview provided a surprisingly _____________ moment that revealed many unknown details.
callow
onerous
trite
demure
candid
candid
The "unknown details" provide the best clue to the answer. The correct answer will there indicate that a revealing moment occurred. "Candid," meaning frank or honest, is the best choice.
Example Question #1027 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The teacher had taught so long, many students considered him an essentially _______________ part of the school.
trivial
transient
immutable
inconsequential
volatile
immutable
The teacher has "taught so long," which indicates he was an important part of the school, and the correct answer will show that permanence. "Immutable," meaning unchanging or unmoveable, is the best choice.
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