All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1251 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
It was deemed old-fashioned, but the school thought it __________ for all their students to wear blazers.
antiquated
perfunctory
apposite
appalling
quaint
apposite
While the first clause in the sentence calls the students wearing blazers "old-fashioned," the structure of the sentence indicates the school thinks differently. The correct answer should show the school's belief in the practice, despite the criticism. "Apposite," meaning suitable and appropriate, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1252 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The __________ nature of undercover police work is rarely shown in glamorous media portrayals of cirme figting.
remarkable
seminal
quotidian
rare
excessive
quotidian
The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with the "glamorous media protrayals." This means the correct answer will mean boring and unglamorous. "Quotidian," meaning everyday and commonplace, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1253 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The _________ novel was an inspiration for countless works of fiction by the author's admirers.
seminal
commonplace
hackneyed
uninspiring
mundane
seminal
The sentence describes the novel's effects on later writers, calling it an "inspiration." This means the correct answer will show the novel was path breaking and influential. "Seminal," meaning essential and formative, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1254 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The large and diverse meal options made the starving men look __________.
agog
sardonically
disinterested
wearily
indifferently
agog
The "hungry men" are looking at "the large and diverse meal options." As the correct answer describes how they view the meal choices, it must reflect the fact that they would be amazed and happy with the options. "Agog," meaning wide-eyed with enthusiasm and wonder, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1255 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Because of the church's financial troubles, they attempted to negotaiate an __________ payment to avoid one large sum.
obsequious
amortized
impecunious
obsolete
incomplete
amortized
The sentence explicitly notes that the church is attempting "to avoid one large sum." The correct answer must indicate many payments or a lesser payment. "Amortized," meaning to pay off debts in small, regular increments, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1256 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The evil queen in the story was almost too __________ and verged into a caricature of a villain.
indifferent
aberrant
malevolent
dissident
benevolent
malevolent
The sentence explains that the "evil queen" was almost too strong of a villain, and became a "caricature." This means the correct word should indicate a strong sense of evil. "Malevolent," meaning nefarious and extremly bad, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1257 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The young man appeared __________ in photographs, but his charm and affability made him quite impressive in person.
imposing
unprepossessing
inviting
gregarious
striking
unprepossessing
The man's "charm and affability" in person are contrasted with the way he looks in photos, described by the missing word. The young man is therefore neither charming nor interesting in photographs. "Unprepossessing," meaning unattractive and off putting, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1258 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The politician continued to be __________ about his stance on the issue, as he did not want to commit himself.
quixotic
equivocal
equivalent
serrated
mollified
equivocal
The sentence describes that the politician "did not want to commit himself." The correct answer will reinforce this trait and show the politician is not being clear. "Equivocal," meaning ambiguous or open to interpretation, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1259 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The fact he was often late was the only indication that the brilliant professor was actually __________.
immaculate
senseless
irreproachable
fallible
injudicious
fallible
The "brilliant professor" has one thing which indicates the missing word: that he is "often late." The correct answer will indicate that the professor is not always perfect. "Fallible," meaning capable of making mistakes or being wrong, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1260 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The teenage girl was usually __________, so few people believed her when she was actually serious.
solemn
facetious
stern
obtuse
staid
facetious
The sentence details that "few people believed her when she was actually serious." This indicates that the correct answer will mean joking or unserious. "Facetious," meaning flippant or sarcastic, is the best choice among the answers.