GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #929 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Mary tried to maintain a(n) __________ diet, but the conveniences of calorie-rich fast food often won out. 

Possible Answers:

edacious

ravenous

abstemious

gluttonous

Correct answer:

abstemious

Explanation:

To be "abstemious" means to eat and drink in moderation.

Example Question #930 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The teacher was famous for her __________ look, which could silence an ornery child in a glance. 

Possible Answers:

retiring

withdrawing

admonishing

shrinking

Correct answer:

admonishing

Explanation:

An "admonishing" look is one of warning or reprimand

Example Question #1241 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The __________ voices on the playground made the teachers rush to break up any potential fights.

Possible Answers:

propitious

affable

bellicose

cordial

Correct answer:

bellicose

Explanation:

A "bellicose" voice is a belligerent or hostile one, which would lead the teachers to assume there is a fight on the playground.

Example Question #1242 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The teacher was usually quite good; forgetting to print off the day's test was __________ behavior. 

Possible Answers:

customary

aberrant

routine

familiar

Correct answer:

aberrant

Explanation:

"Aberrant" means abnormal or anomalous.

Example Question #1243 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The diner complained about the stentch of the salad until the waiter explained that feta is a very __________ cheese.

Possible Answers:

pungent

banal

insipid

tame

Correct answer:

pungent

Explanation:

"Pungent" means to have a strong smell or taste.

Example Question #1244 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The hockey team was rather __________ after winning the game yelling in the streets and knocking over trashcans. 

Possible Answers:

boisterous

serene

placid

harmonious

Correct answer:

boisterous

Explanation:

To be "boisterous" means to be loud, raucous, or noisy.

Example Question #1245 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The __________ night was the perfect time to dig a hole in which to bury the treasure.

Possible Answers:

luminous

stygian

ethereal

effulgent

Correct answer:

stygian

Explanation:

"Stygian" is dark or gloomy. If the night is dark or gloomy, it's a great time to dig a secret hole in which to bury treasure. 

Example Question #1246 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The __________ old man was never listened to the retirement home's head nurse and often threw tantrums. 

Possible Answers:

docile

meek

compliant

recalcitrant

Correct answer:

recalcitrant

Explanation:

To be "recalcitrant" means to resist authority, or to be defiant and rebellious

Example Question #1001 : Text Completion

When the doctor walked into the waiting room, his __________ face made it clear that the surgery had not gone as planned. 

Possible Answers:

saturnine

congenial

amiable

cordial

Correct answer:

saturnine

Explanation:

"Saturnine" means gloomy, dark, or melancholy.

Example Question #1241 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Although the cover was __________, the old book's text was still quite readable.

Possible Answers:

abraded

opaque

smooth

unabridged

translucent

Correct answer:

abraded

Explanation:

The sentence describes an "old book" which is "quite readable," despite the condition of the cover, described by the missing word.  This indicates the correct answer will indicate that the cover was damaged in some fashion.  "Abraded," meaning worn away or eroded, is the best choice among the answers.

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