GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1301 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The once prominent issue eventually became a _________ concern for most politicians.
seminal
pernicious
fractious
cataclysmic
peripheral
peripheral
The sentence uses the missing word to contrast the issue's current position with the fact it was "once prominent." The correct answer must mean unimportant and not central, the definition of "peripheral."
Example Question #1302 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
While planned as a relaxing family vacation, the children ruined it with their __________ attitude.
colloquial
querulous
affable
ebullient
banal
querulous
The children's attitude has "ruined" the "relaxing family vacation." This means their attutude is problematic or annoying. "Querulous," meaning obnoxiously questioning, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1303 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
No matter how hard his employees attempted to make him laugh, he retained his __________ demeanor.
humorous
stolid
conniving
garrulous
affable
stolid
If his employees try "to make him laugh," then the subject's demeanor is quite serious. The correct answer must mean boring or not humorous. "Stolid," meaning impassive or indifferent, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1304 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Initially viewed as merely capable public speaker, she quickly proved to be a __________ orator.
perplexing
volatile
mundane
usual
dynamic
dynamic
The sentence notes the subject has moved from being "merely capable" to the missing word. This indicates the subject has become a quite successful orator. "Dynamic," meaning vibrant and energetic, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1305 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
He was an __________ complainer, and could find fault in anything.
inveterate
inebriate
unapproachable
underwhelming
intemperate
inveterate
If the subject "could find fault in anything," then he is complaining quite a bit. This means the correct answer shoulod indicate a constancy or persistence. "Inveterate," meaning habitual or compulsive, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1306 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
In an era of rowdy partisanship, the governor remained a __________ presence in the debates of the times.
temperate
fallow
conniving
manipulative
pretentious
temperate
The sentence contrasts the missing word, describing the governor, with "rowdy partisanship." The correct answer must reflect a calming presence or a nonpartisan element. "Temperate," meaning moderate or even-handed, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1307 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His tendency to stay out late at clubs and bars began to have a __________ effect on his performance.
desultory
exemplary
dynamic
percipient
pretentious
desultory
The sentence connects his "performance" with his "tendency to stay out late," a problematic behavior. This indicates the correct answer would reflect these problems. "Desultory," meaning inconsistent and haphazard, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1308 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His __________ writing wonderfully memorialized his fallen comrade.
elegaic
somatic
malevolent
mundane
prosaic
elegaic
The "writing" described by the missing word has "memorialized his fallen comrade." The correct answer needs to have an appropriate connotation of memorializing. "Elegaic," meaning in praise of a dead person, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1309 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The efforts at farming the land did not work because the plot had been __________ for too long.
temperate
pithy
indigent
compliant
fallow
fallow
The sentence describes an inability "at farming the land," because it had been the missing word. The correct answer must indicate the plot's lack of use. "Fallow," meaning uncultivated and undeveloped, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1310 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The __________ review of the plans meant the people in charge did not see the flaws contained in them.
peremptory
methodical
comprehensive
perfunctory
profound
perfunctory
The "flaws" in the plan were not seen because of the kind of review described by the missing word. The correct answer has to demonstrate that the review was the kind that would look over problems. "Perfunctory," meaning superficial or cursory, is the best choice among the answers.
All GRE Verbal Resources
