GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1141 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The songwriter was astonishingly __________, and she composed many more songs than her contemporaries.
indifferent
egalitarian
prolific
apathetic
circumscribed
prolific
The songwriter "composed many more songs," meaning she had a great quantity songs. The correct answer needs to mean producing a large amount, the definition of "prolific."
Example Question #1142 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Many people believe political dysfunction is __________, as once any politician is elected corruption necessarily follows.
arbitrary
inevitable
ineffable
tractable
euphemistic
inevitable
If "corruption follows" "any politician" when elected, then dysfunction will happen no matter what. The correct answer needs to demonstrate this consistency. "Inevitable," meaning unavoidable or bound to happen, is the best choice.
Example Question #1143 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Very few European cultures were __________, as men were firmly in control of politics, economics, and religion.
apathetic
mutinous
matriarchal
polygamist
libertarian
matriarchal
Men being "in control" is used in reference as the opposite of the missing word, as "very few" cultures fit the description. The correct answer must mean governed by women, the definition of "matriarchal."
Example Question #1144 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The old man was __________ enough never to buy anything new or at full price.
lavish
apathetic
petulant
parsimonious
immoderate
parsimonious
If a man will "never buy anything new or at full price," he is watching his spending habits closely. The correct answer will indicate his careful approach to financial matters. "Parsimonious," meaning frugal or thrifty, is the best choice.
Example Question #1145 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The __________ argument was immediately rebutted with a much more substantive one.
grave
resplendent
ineffable
profound
vacuous
vacuous
The argument described by the missing word is contrasted with "a much more substantive one." The correct answer will mean empty or meaningless, the definition of "vacuous."
Example Question #1146 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The employees were __________ about asking their boss for anything because of his volatile temper.
assertive
apprehensive
decisive
subversive
gratuitous
apprehensive
Since the boss had a "volatile temper," asking him for things would be difficult. The correct answer will show the employees approached their boss with that difficulty in mind. "Apprehensive," meaning worried and fearful, is the best choice.
Example Question #1147 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
In a new environment, people usually become __________ and gauge everyone around them before acting.
disinterested
masochistic
circumspect
lax
indecisive
circumspect
To "gauge everyone" before taking action means that the missing word needs to indicate people judge their situation carefully. The correct answer will mean cautious or suspicious, the definition of "circumspect."
Example Question #1148 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The expedition had a __________ first few weeks, with everything going wrong to delay it repeatedly.
purposeful
fitful
spurious
puerile
choleric
fitful
Having things "delay it repeatedly" means the expedition was not moving very consistently. The correct answer will mean not continuous or inconsistent, the definition of "fitful."
Example Question #1149 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The general was __________, and marched his army at a feverish pace.
deferent
inexorable
ambivalent
esoteric
disinterested
inexorable
The general makes his army march "at a feverish pace." This means he is pushing them consistently hard. "Inexorable," meaning relentless and inevitable, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1150 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Not a gifted speaker, his lectures were __________ rather than inspiring.
prosaic
brief
verbose
succinct
ebullient
prosaic
The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with "inspiring," meaning the correct answer must stand in opposition to "inspiring." "Prosaic," meaning ordinary and unimaginative, is the best choice.
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