GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

Example Question #1061 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

With the hire of a new salesman, the long time employee worried he was now ______________.

Possible Answers:

nondescript

bourgeois

redundant

germinal

supercilious

Correct answer:

redundant

Explanation:

The "hire of a new salesman" has a direct impact on the old employee's job. The correct answer will indicate the old employee's new irrelevance. "Redundant," meaning unnecessary and repetitive, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #1062 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

His mother was worried his odd mannerisms made him ______________ to bullying from classmates.

Possible Answers:

ambiguous

redundant

nebulous

susceptible

posthumous

Correct answer:

susceptible

Explanation:

The boy's mother is concerned about the connection of his peers' bullying to his odd mannerisms. The correct answer needs to mean vulnerable or at risk of, the definition of "susceptible."

Example Question #1063 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The basketball player appeared too _____________ to handle physical contact, but he was surprisingly muscular for being so lean.

Possible Answers:

personable

rotund

robust

surly

wispy

Correct answer:

wispy

Explanation:

The player is described both as looking like he cannot take "physical contact," and that he is "lean." The correct answer needs to indicate needs to indicate that he looks thin and not very tough. "Wispy," meaning frail, delicate, and feather-like, is the best choice.

Example Question #1064 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

In his personal life, he was usually quite pleasant, but on a football field he became positively ______________.

Possible Answers:

bestial

affable

ingratiating

personable

effusive

Correct answer:

bestial

Explanation:

The sentence is structured so as to contrast the missing word with "pleasant." The correct answer will in some way be an antonym of "quite pleasant." "Bestial," meaning animal-like or inhuman, is the best choice.

Example Question #1065 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The paper was trampled under foot, becoming _________________ and damaged.

Possible Answers:

erratic

poised

phlegmatic

emaciated

corrugated

Correct answer:

corrugated

Explanation:

The paper is described as "damaged" after it was "trampled under foot." The correct answer will indicate some way it was damaged. "Corrugated," meaning folded repeatedly and sharply, is the best fit among the answers.

Example Question #1066 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

In his old age, he became quite ________________ about a youth he never enjoyed at the time.

Possible Answers:

altruistic

erratic

philanthropic

wistful

sycophantic

Correct answer:

wistful

Explanation:

The man changed his outlook on his youth as he aged, and the missing word describes the view he now has. "Wistful," meaning to look back longingly on, is the correct answer.

Example Question #1066 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The speech argued that the sacrifice of soldiers in a righteous cause could make the bloodiest battlefield _________________.

Possible Answers:

petrified

hallowed

elucidated

advocated

novel

Correct answer:

hallowed

Explanation:

The phrase "in a righteous cause" is the best key to finding the correct answer. The missing word needs to reflect the "righteous cause" appropriately. "Hallowed," meaning consecrated or made holy, is the best fit.

Example Question #1068 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

At the news of their court victory, the plaintiffs were ________________.

Possible Answers:

irascible

aloof

jubilant

beguiling

belligerent

Correct answer:

jubilant

Explanation:

The plaintiffs have just heard they were victorious in court. Such news inspires a good deal of happiness. "Jubilant," meaning ecstatic and delighted, is the correct answer.

Example Question #1067 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

She was noted as being the most __________________ woman in town, as she vistited holy shrines regularly.

Possible Answers:

pious

potable

erratic

notorious

infamous

Correct answer:

pious

Explanation:

The missing word is elaborated on by the phrase "visited holy shrines regularly." The correct answer needs to indicate the woman was extremely religious, the definition of "pious."

Example Question #1070 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Many therapists encourage _______________ methods to promote human contact with their patients.

Possible Answers:

aloof

reclusive

erratic

bestial

tactile

Correct answer:

tactile

Explanation:

The key phrase in the sentence is "human contact." The correct answer needs to relate to "human contact" in some way. "Tactile," meaning related to the sense of touch, is the best fit.

Tired of practice problems?

Try live online GRE prep today.

1-on-1 Tutoring
Live Online Class
1-on-1 + Class
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors