GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1151 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The landscape engineering was a miracle that turned the area from a boggy marsh to completely __________ in just a few years.
tranquil
barren
potable
arable
mired
arable
The land went from "a boggy marsh" to the missing word in a "miracle" of engineering. This means the correct answer will contrast with "a boggy marsh." "Arable," meaning able to be cultivated and farmed, is the best fit.
Example Question #1152 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
In many cultures, insulting someone's family is such a __________ offense, it was cause relationships to stop.
pervasive
carnal
gracious
venial
flagrant
flagrant
Causing "relationships to stop" is a strong reaction to any offense. The correct answer will make the offense strong enough to cause such a reaction. "Flagrant," meaning clearly wrong or obviously bad, is the best choice.
Example Question #1153 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Usually, approaching a stronger opponent on equal footing is __________, but challenging the opponent directly does sometimes work.
irreproachable
inexpedient
consecrated
condoned
conspicuous
inexpedient
The sentence ends up noting the direct strategy will "sometimes work." This indicates the missing word is advising against the strategy. "Inexpedient," meaning unadvisable or inefficient, is the best choice.
Example Question #1154 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Most college students learn how to survive on __________ funds by eating lower quality foods.
lavish
archaic
abundant
boorish
meager
meager
The students are "eating lower quality foods" because of their amount of funds. The missing word will indicate why they can only have "lower quality foods." "Meager," meaning scant or in short supply, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1155 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The boy was so __________, his date could hardly remember what she found charming about him.
vapid
ominous
affable
infamous
personable
vapid
The sentence notes the date once found the boy "charming," but does not anymore. The correct answer must stand in contrast with "charming." "Vapid," meaning dull and shallow, is the best choice.
Example Question #1156 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Many children do not understand the rules their parents impose, and view them as completely __________.
trivial
necessary
utilitarian
arbitrary
subtle
arbitrary
The sentence notes that "children do not understand" their parents motivations. The correct answer will indicate the children's inability to comprehend their parents' rules. "Arbitrary," meaning random or for no reason, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #1157 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His consistent ability to call the outcome of races led many to think he was __________.
prosaic
pedantic
clairvoyant
mundane
archaic
clairvoyant
The subject can "call the outcome of races," an ability that makes people call him the missing word. The correct answer needs to reference his predictive abilities. "Clairvoyant," meaning psychic or able to see the future, is the best fit.
Example Question #1158 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
In an era of staid performers in tuxedos, his sequined suits and feathered hats were even more __________.
mundane
obtuse
pathetic
flamboyant
underwhelming
flamboyant
"Sequined suits and feathered hats" make someone stand out in a "staid" era. The sequins and feathers also indicate the subject was particularly showy and flashy. "Flamboyant," meaning over the top and excessive, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1159 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The key to the tribe's belief system was that its king was __________, and his every decision had to be followed exactly.
infallible
argumentative
ineffable
irksome
venal
infallible
The tribe's king has enough authority that his decisions are "followed exactly." This indicates the tribe views him as able to always make correct decisions. "Infallible," meaning perfect or unable to make mistakes, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1160 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The artist used many shades of paint, and even essentially solid colors were __________ upon close inspection.
flamboyant
mundane
resplendent
lax
variegated
variegated
The sentence both discusses "many shades," and that "essentially solid colors" were not what they seemed. The correct answer should mean multicolored or mixed, the definition of "variegated."
All GRE Verbal Resources
