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 #151 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The Board President resigned after the company took measures _______________ to her values.

Possible Answers:

inimical

imitative

contemporary

impartial

disinterested

Correct answer:

inimical

Explanation:

A "Board President" leaving a company over values indicates a disagreement, and the correct answer must reflect this. "Inimical," meaning at odds with or hostile to, is the best choice.

Example Question #152 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

His _____________ temperament made it hard for his family to make concrete plans.

Possible Answers:

mercurial

poised

perspicacious

punctilious

meticulous

Correct answer:

mercurial

Explanation:

The man's temperament causes "concrete plans" to be difficult. The correct answer needs to indicate what creates such a hardship. "Mercurial," meaning volatile and changeable, like the metal mercury, is the best choice.

Example Question #1091 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The composer's career saw him move from complicated orchestrations to ____________ arrangements.

Possible Answers:

sparse

jubilant

excessive

rococo

baroque

Correct answer:

sparse

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts the composer's "complicated orchestrations" to his later arrangements, which are described by the missing word. The correct answer should indicate that the later arrangements were uncomplicated. "Sparse," meaning bare or meager, is the best choice.

Example Question #1091 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

It was impossible to follow the angry man’s argument. Constantly __________, the meaning of one term seemed to transform as many times as did his changing temper.

Possible Answers:

belligerent

capricious

equivocating

bellicose

berating

Correct answer:

equivocating

Explanation:

The sentence works well with one of the participial beginnings. Here, vocabulary probably helps best, though. Clearly, the point is that he keeps changing his terms; therefore, he is "equivocating." Equivocation comes from the Latin aequus for equal and voco. The first has many examples that are readily available. Voco is seen in words like "convocation," "vocal," "advocate," and so forth. The word is so derived because equivocation means that one treats two or more words as though they were the same (Thus, they are "equally called").  For instance, in English, we use the word "bank" to represent both the edge of a river as well as the financial institution.

Example Question #1092 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The young woman hated chain stores, filling her home with __________ furniture.

Possible Answers:

synthetic

sallow

mundane

artisanal

generic

Correct answer:

artisanal

Explanation:

The young woman is trying to avoid "chain stores" and what is sold there. As "chain stores" have many identical items, the woman will be looking for one of a kind furniture. "Artisanal," meaning crafted and handmade, is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #1093 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The boy was annoying but __________, causing little long term harm.

Possible Answers:

egregious

innocuous

ominous

irksome

transgressive

Correct answer:

innocuous

Explanation:

The missing word is paired with the phrase "causing little long term harm." The correct answer must mean harmless or inoffensive, which is the definition of "innocuous."

Example Question #1095 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

She often told instructive stories __________, so as not to call out specific people.

Possible Answers:

petulantly

literally

belligerently

sycophantically

metaphorically

Correct answer:

metaphorically

Explanation:

The subject is trying to avoid calling out "specific people," and her style of lessons must follow this pattern. The correct answer will indicate she is avoiding mentioning identifying details. "Metaphorically," meaning symbolically or figuratively, is the best choice.

Example Question #1096 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

He was known for an incredible voice, with a __________ singing range.

Possible Answers:

philistine

peerless

supercilious

sagacious

useless

Correct answer:

peerless

Explanation:

The key word in the sentence is "incredible," which parallels the missing word. The correct answer will be similar in meaning to "incredible." "Peerless," meaning unequaled or the very best, is the appropriate choice.

Example Question #1097 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The boy's decisions were rarely __________, and recklessness often got him in trouble.

Possible Answers:

mercurial

prescient

prudent

perspicacious

fortuitous

Correct answer:

prudent

Explanation:

The boy is described as having a particular "recklessness." If his decisions were "rarely" of something, then the correct answer must be an antonym of "reckless." "Prudent," meaning responsible and wise, is the best choice.

Example Question #1094 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The children were taught a solid colored egg was healthy, and that __________ ones should be avoided.

Possible Answers:

opaque

speckled

illusory

petrified

smooth

Correct answer:

speckled

Explanation:

The choices contain a few words that might work, but the best fit for the sentence must be chosen. The correct answer will mean not "solid colored," as the structure of the sentence shows. "Speckled," meaning spotted or freckled, is the best choice.

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