GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #843 : One Blank Texts
His delay was __________, as it meant he missed seeing the accident firsthand.
prolific
supercilious
immoderate
felicitous
inappropriate
felicitous
Missing "seeing the accident firsthand" is a good thing. This means the subject's delay was a positive development. "Fortuitous," meaning lucky or fortunate, is the correct answer.
Example Question #844 : One Blank Texts
The poet considered true love __________, and pointedly refused to write about it.
ineffable
cogent
lucid
succinct
subtle
ineffable
If the poet "refused to write about it," then it can safely be assumed the poet finds it difficult to write about. The correct answer must explain why it is difficult to write about. "Ineffable," meaning hard to put into words, is the best choice.
Example Question #845 : One Blank Texts
The creature was baffling to zoologists, who did not know it was a __________, because they could not see its pouch.
invertebrate
relic
amphibian
omnivore
marsupial
marsupial
The sentence notes the "creature" had a "pouch," which makes finding the correct answer fairly straightforward. A "marsupial" is a mammal with a pouch to carry its young.
Example Question #846 : One Blank Texts
The congressman was accused of being __________ and never caring what happened in his colleagues' districts.
altruistic
egalitarian
parochial
munificent
generous
parochial
The congressman's lack of concern for "his colleagues' districts" indicates his interest only in matters that concern his district. "Parochial," meaning narrow minded or obsessed with local concerns, is the best fit.
Example Question #847 : One Blank Texts
She was highly __________ of her sister's boasts, and demanded proof of her achievements.
gullible
equivocal
dispassionate
skeptical
nostalgic
skeptical
Having "demanded proof" of the boasts, it is clear the subject does not believe her sister. The correct answer should mean doubting or disbelieving, the definition of skeptical.
Example Question #848 : One Blank Texts
The gangster took __________ routes to his destinations to make it harder on his enemies to track him.
circuitous
infamous
punctilious
inexorable
expedient
circuitous
The gangster is trying "to make it harder" to be tracked, which means his routes will be hard to follow. The correct answer must mean indirect or roundabout, the definition of "circuitous."
Example Question #849 : One Blank Texts
He was so __________ in the kitchen, he could hardly chop vegetables.
adroit
dextrous
inexorable
exemplary
inept
inept
As "he could hardly chop vegetables," his skill in the kitchen is obviously severely limited. The correct answer needs to mean unskilled or incompetent, the definition of "inept."
Example Question #850 : One Blank Texts
The politician played up a __________ image, but was actually born into considerable wealth.
parochial
lavish
lofty
bourgeois
proletarian
proletarian
The politician has "played up" an image at odds with being "born into considerable wealth." The correct answer needs to mean not wealthy, or even poor. "Proletarian," meaning of the working class, is the best choice.
Example Question #1131 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The story's many unrealistic elements led scholars to believe it was __________.
irreproachable
parsimonious
apocryphal
verifiable
circuitous
apocryphal
Because the story contains "unrealistic elements," it can safely be assumed that the stories are false or incorrect. The correct answer will indicate some level of inaccuracy. "Apocryphal," meaning of doubtful origin or legendary, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1132 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The king was notably __________, and often gave contradictory orders.
decisive
succinct
fickle
lucid
impulsive
fickle
The king is giving "contradictory orders," which means the correct answer will indicate a sense of confusion or chaos. "Fickle," meaning unpredictable or easily swayed, is the best choice.
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