GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1031 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The design style of the mansion was pure _______________, featuring expensive chandeliers and gold fixtures.
mendacity
archaic
rustic
banality
opulence
opulence
The "expensive chandeliers and gold fixtures" are the best clue to the answer. The correct answer needs to indicate extreme wealth. "Opulence," meaning extremely expensive and gaudy, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1032 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Many romance novels are banned from libraries for their ________________ nature and shocking scenes.
laudatory
sagacious
exegetical
salacious
irreproachable
salacious
Both "romance" and "shocking" are used as descriptors of the banned books, as well as the missing word. The correct answer needs to fit with both of the other words mentioned. "Salacious," meaning lecherous or sensational, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #1033 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The newscaster was exciting as a young man, but increasingly spoke in _____________ soundbites as he grew older.
ebullient
effusive
beguiling
subversive
trite
trite
The newscaster's current style, described by the missing word, is contrasted with his "exciting" style as a young man. The correct answer will then be an antonym of "exciting." "Trite," meaning boring and overused, is the best fit among the choices.
Example Question #1034 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The teacher tried to draw out the student, whose personality made him reluctant to speak up in class.
jaunty
voluble
hysterical
reticent
succinct
reticent
The student is shy/reserved, which means he is not voluble, hysterical, or jaunty. He may be succinct, but the impression is that he is shy, not just that he uses few words. He is reticent.
Example Question #1035 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The two nations' _____________ rhetoric was seen as a chief reason for their fighting.
bellicose
phlegmatic
benign
ambiguous
jaunty
bellicose
The sentence outright states the two nations were fighting because of their rhetoric. The correct answer needs to indicate the hatred and posturing by the nations that would cause conflict. "Bellicose," meaning aggressive and war like, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1036 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The young man wanted to be the _______________ actor, and tailored his habits after his acting role models.
egregious
contemporary
subversive
altruistic
consummate
consummate
Copying his "role models" means the young man is trying to live up to them. The correct answer will demonstrate the boys' desire to perfection as an actor. "Consummate," meaning total or supremely good, is the best choice.
Example Question #1037 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The solution to the problem was _______________, no matter what the scientists tried.
exceptionable
deleterious
elusive
irreproachable
potent
elusive
The phrase "no matter what the scientists tried," indicates the solution was never found. The correct answer needs to demonstrate their uncertainty or fruitlessness. "Elusive," meaning difficult to grasp or pin down, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #1038 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The introverted son faded into the background among his many ______________ relatives.
irascible
jaundiced
gregarious
supercilious
negligent
gregarious
The sentence contrasts the missing word with the son's "introverted" personality. The correct answer will then mean extroverted or sociable, the definition of "gregarious."
Example Question #1038 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Years of watching legislation fail made the lobbyist _______________ about getting the initiative passed.
jaundiced
torpid
jocular
ebullient
placated
jaundiced
"Watching legislation fail" means the lobbyist would not expect the initiative to pass now. The correct answer will show the lobbyist's dejection and negativity. "Jaundiced," meaning cynical or pessimistic, is the best choice.
Example Question #1039 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
As a young girl, she was a ________________ gymnast who beat everyone her age.
irksome
superlative
supercilious
substandard
indifferent
superlative
The girl "beat everyoe her age" as a gymnast, so presumably she was quite good. The correct answer needs to indicate just how good she was. "Superlative," meaning extremely good or the very best, is the most appropriate answer choice.
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