GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1041 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
A frightened animal will often take a _______________ pose to look threatening to other animals.
languid
exasperated
belligerent
jocular
surreptitious
belligerent
The animal is both "frightened" and trying "to look threatening." The correct answer needs to reflect the animal's aggression. "Belligerent," meaning willing and looking to fight, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1042 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The painter was often overshadowed by _______________ artists whose fame did not outlive them.
callow
redundant
inconsequential
transient
contemporary
contemporary
The painter is compared to what must be similar artists, "whose fame did not outlive them." The comparison is to artists from the same era as the painter. "Contemporary," meaning at the same time, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1043 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
After the illness made her unable to eat solid foods, she looked _____________.
embroiled
ordained
emaciated
engrossed
consecrated
emaciated
The sentence notes she was "unable to eat solid foods," and then uses the missing word. The correct answer will indicate she looked under fed or malnourished. "Emaciated," meaning very thin or withered, is the best choice.
Example Question #1044 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Weeks after going to the beach, his shoes were still ______________ with sand.
redundant
gritty
benign
poised
lacquered
gritty
The sand makes the shoes become the missing word. Sand is coarse an uncomfortable in shoes, and the correct answer should reflect this. "Gritty," meaning rough and coarse, is the best fit among the choices.
Example Question #1045 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The Congressman preferred _________________ statements on the issue to avoid giving away how he would vote.
acrimonious
cogent
jingoistic
ambiguous
contrite
ambiguous
The Congressman is trying "to avoid giving away how he would vote," so his statements will presumably be unclear. "Ambiguous," meaning uncertain or unclear, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1046 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The new charity sought to tap into the ___________________ desires of the city's wealthy.
lascivious
susceptible
salacious
nomadic
philanthropic
philanthropic
The key word in the sentence is "charity," and indicates that the "desires" relate to giving. The correct answer will mean supportive of charities and helping others, the definition of philanthropic.
Example Question #1047 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Some people blamed his _______________ demeanor on a childhood experience, but others just thought he was mean.
candid
affable
surly
demure
contrite
surly
The man is outright described as "mean," so the missing word will in some way be a synonym of "mean." Of all the answer choices, "surly," meaning grumpy or rude, is the best fit.
Example Question #1048 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The stories often took place in a _______________ realm that distorted reality.
whimsical
philistine
histrionic
gritty
alchemical
whimsical
The sentence says the realm changes reality. The correct answer will indicat that the realm is odd or fantastical. "Whimsical," meaning fanciful and imaginative, is the best choice.
Example Question #1049 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The scandalized politician appeared _____________, and hoped the voters would accept his apology.
contrite
bellicose
susceptible
congenial
irascible
contrite
The last phrase of the sentence mentions the politician's "apology," and pairs it with the missing word. The correct answer needs to indicate an apologetic tone, which is the definition of "contrite."
Example Question #1050 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Early humans all lived a _____________ existence, traveling to find food where they could.
philanthropic
nonchalant
trivial
nomadic
jubilant
nomadic
The sentence focuses on "early humans . . . traveling to find food." The correct answer will describe this traveling. "Nomadic," meaning to wander from place to place, is the best answer choice.
All GRE Verbal Resources
