GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #799 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

For the awkward boys, the popular girls remained an __________ presence beyond their comprehension.

Possible Answers:

olfactory

omnipotent

ominous

illuminating

inscrutable

Correct answer:

inscrutable

Explanation:

The sentence outright states the "popular girls" were "beyond their comprehension" for the boys. The correct answer must further this incomprehensibility. "Inscrutable," meaning mysterious and impenetrable, is the best fit among the choices.

Example Question #800 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

No flaw went unnoticed thanks to the director's __________ nature.

Possible Answers:

erratic

irreproachable

punctilious

dogmatic

fractious

Correct answer:

punctilious

Explanation:

The director notices every flaw, a habit described by the missing word. The correct answer must mean paying attention to small details, the definition of "punctilious."

Example Question #1111 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

His __________ claims about the incident were easily refuted by other people who were there.

Possible Answers:

spurious

verbose

restorative

esoteric

benign

Correct answer:

spurious

Explanation:

The subject's claims were "easily refuted," which indicates the claims are incorrect in some way. The correct answer must mean dubious or false, the definition of "spurious."

Example Question #802 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The dog appeared ferocious at first, but quickly proved to be quite __________.

Possible Answers:

bellicose

docile

belligerent

remorseful

histrionic

Correct answer:

docile

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with "ferocious;" therefore, the correct answer will be an antonym of "ferocious." "Docile," meaning gentle or easily controlled, is the best answer choice.

Example Question #803 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Although he practiced medicine for a decade, he was instantly fired when the hospital discovered his license was __________.

Possible Answers:

excessive

jeopardized

insentient

fraudulent

authentic

Correct answer:

fraudulent

Explanation:

The subject was "instantly fired," so the problems with his license were quite serious. The correct answer needs to indicate the appropriate level of seriousness. "Fraudulent," meaning fake and deceptively false, is the best choice.

Example Question #804 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Before the mission, he was __________ and went through every scenario in his head.

Possible Answers:

ambivalent

reckless

pensive

voluble

flippant

Correct answer:

pensive

Explanation:

Looking at "every scenario in his head" means he was analyzing the mission in great detail. The correct answer should mean deep reflection or thinking intensely, the definition of "pensive."

Example Question #805 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Cut off from the main river, the water in small estuary became __________.

Possible Answers:

effusive

dynamic

potable

officious

stagnant

Correct answer:

stagnant

Explanation:

The estuary is "cut off from the main river," meaning it does not receive a regular flow of water. The correct answer must reflect this change in the water. "Stagnant," meaning still and unmoving, is the best choice.

Example Question #806 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

He was an __________ judge of investments, and made millions in the stock market.

Possible Answers:

exuberant

inept

irksome

astute

indifferent

Correct answer:

astute

Explanation:

Having "made millions in the stock market" means he judged investments quite well, and the correct answer must reflect this. "Astute," meaning perceptive and sharp, is the best choice.

Example Question #1112 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

He was __________ in his opinions, and would never listen to any arguments against his beliefs.

Possible Answers:

reticent

gullible

equivocal

dogmatic

poised

Correct answer:

dogmatic

Explanation:

The sentence notes the subject would "never listen to any arguments." This means he was extremely attached to his opinions, and the correct answer must reflect this. "Dogmatic," meaning rigid and inflexible in beliefs, is the best fit among the answers.

Example Question #1113 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

His concern for __________ details made him overlook serious problems in the entire plan.

Possible Answers:

robust

ominous

frivolous

staid

torpid

Correct answer:

frivolous

Explanation:

The subject of the sentence is ignoring "serious problems" by looking at details described by the missing word. The correct answer needs to be an antonym of "serious." "Frivolous," meaning unnecessary or light, is the best fit among the answers.

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