GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1101 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His devotion to an __________ lifestyle caused him to refuse all expensive and lavish gifts.
ascetic
insipid
obtuse
excessive
acrid
ascetic
The sentence notes that he refuses "expensive and lavish gifts." The correct answer will therefore indicate he avoids luxury items. "Ascetic," meaning excessively simple and sparse, is the best fit.
Example Question #1102 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
She was so used to working nights, that becoming __________ was quite difficult.
tractable
mercurial
diurnal
nocturnal
torpid
diurnal
The subject of the sentence was "working nights," but has had to change her habits. The correct answer needs to mean active or awake in daytime, the definition of "diurnal."
Example Question #1102 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The encounter with the CEO was __________, as it directly led to the college student getting a job.
innocuous
nondescript
fortuitous
histrionic
ominous
fortuitous
The meeting "directly led" to a job, making it a lucky break for the college student. The correct answer needs to reflect this element of luck. "Fortuitous," meaning happening by chance, is the best choice.
Example Question #1103 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His __________ recordkeeping made the company able to track every sale it ever made.
meticulous
obscure
erratic
mercurial
supercilious
meticulous
The company's ability "to track every sale" meants the subject of the sentence kept very good records. The correct answer should mean extremely careful and precise, the definition of "meticulous."
Example Question #1104 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His __________ attitude towards women prevented him from having any serious relationships.
puerile
perspicacious
sage
irreproachable
perceptive
puerile
The subject's attitude towards women is preventing him from having "serious relationships." The correct answer needs to show how detrimental his attitude is. "Puerile," meaning immature and childish, is the best choice.
Example Question #1105 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The __________ nature of the storms meant the meant the area received little consistent rainfall.
potent
pervasive
sporadic
predictable
belligerent
sporadic
The sentence notes there was "little consistent rainfall." The storms that produce the rain would be similarly inconsistent. "Sporadic," meaning not continous and intermittent, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1106 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His __________ writing style did not adapt well to short-form journalism.
meticulous
verbose
exemplary
astute
succinct
verbose
The subject's "writing style" is not compatible with "short-form journalism." As the correct answer describes the style, it needs to clash with the principles of the "short-form." "Verbose," meaning overly wordy and long winded, is the best choice.
Example Question #1107 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Thanks to an __________ examination, every detail of the company's expenses was analyzed.
erratic
insipid
extraneous
eloquent
assiduous
assiduous
The key phrase in the sentence is "every detail." This indicates the examination looked at all elements of "the company's expenses." "Assiduous," meaning thorough and dilligent, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1108 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The patient veered wildly between a noticeable dementia and __________ throughts.
cogent
tottering
eclectic
hypocritical
eccentric
cogent
The "patient veered wildly," meaning the missing word has to reflect a real difference from "noticeable dementia." The correct answer should mean well thought out and lucid, the definition of "cogent."
Example Question #798 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The __________ parties could rarely be brought to the negotiating table.
affable
tractable
ambivalent
fractious
innocuous
fractious
The parties have trouble reaching "the negotiating table," which indicates they do not get along. The correct answer must reflect their disagreement. "Fractious," meaning irritable and unruly, is the best choice.
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