GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1421 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The art student frequently saw his own work in a __________ vein, breaking the previously established patterns set forth by his instructor.
jejune
progressive
pathetic
trivial
mundane
progressive
The art student perceives himself to be an innovator, pushing against the boundaries of his instructor’s advice. Only one of the answer choices, “progressive,” indicates a desire to go further than his instructor desires.
Example Question #1422 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Flanders was often seen as __________ by his colleagues because of his habit of offering to help with any task his employer undertook.
sycophantic
careful
welcoming
counterproductive
stringent
sycophantic
The first sentence indicates Flanders’ colleagues are annoyed by him. “Welcoming” and “careful” both have too many positive connotations to be the correct answer. Flanders’ offers of help could be "productive," but are certainly an attempt to flatter his boss, which is the definition of “sycophantic.”
Example Question #1423 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Robert Burns is considered the __________ Scottish poet, as his work is famous throughout Scotland and is seen to embody Scottish culture.
dispensible
quintessential
mediocre
irrelevant
unimpressive
quintessential
The second half of the sentence indicates that Robert Burns is held in high regard, so "quintissential" is the best answer choice.
Example Question #1424 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Fred frequently looked back __________ on his time in the military, viewing it as the “glory days” that he could never recover.
thoughtfully
cynically
despairingly
wistfully
angrily
wistfully
Fred’s view of his past “glory days” indicates the positive feelings towards the military Fred holds, ruling out "angrily" and "despairingly." "Thoughtfully" does not work because of the simple manner in which Fred regards his military experience.
Example Question #1425 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
His demeanor was often considered ___________ due to his aloof manner and biting comments.
gentlemanly
conspicuous
haughty
jolly
exemplary
haughty
Both “aloof manner” and “biting comments” tell us that the word we are looking for needs to indicate something poor about the subject’s personality. Only one word, “haughty,” carries such a meaning.
Example Question #1426 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Her fashion sense was considered quite __________, as it gave the impression she had not updated her wardrobe in years.
antiquated
exceptional
trendy
avant-garde
pedestrian
antiquated
The inability of the woman to update her wardrobe indicates she is old-fashioned. This is the exact meaning of “antiquated,” making it the best fit for this sentence.
Example Question #1427 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ texture of the airline pillow irritated Angela’s face and made her long flight all the more vexatious.
monotonous
abrasive
dexterous
lustrous
significant
abrasive
You are looking for an adjective that would describe how a pillow might irritate someone’s face and make their flight "vexatious," or unpleasant. "Abrasive" means rough, coarse, or harsh, so is the only answer choice that fits the context of the sentence.
Example Question #1428 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Thomas’ bookshelves were __________ with works of literature, especially his many beloved detective novels.
formidable
destitute
replete
noxious
vacuous
replete
You are looking for an adjective that would describe Thomas’ “many” books on a bookshelf. Since "replete" means full, it is the only answer choice that fits the context of the sentence.
Example Question #1429 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Do not take for granted the time you have, asserts the playwright; life is more __________ than you think.
resplendent
epistolary
nugatory
ephemeral
poignant
ephemeral
The playwright suggests that you should appreciate the time you have because life is fleeting. "Ephemeral" best completes the sentence because it means short-lived.
Example Question #1430 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
A workshop full of stately, handcrafted furniture was a testament to how __________ Wilson was at woodworking.
inept
timorous
brawny
adroit
erudite
adroit
The sentence is describing how Wilson has made many pieces of “stately, handcrafted furniture.” You can infer that he is therefore "skilled" at woodworking, which is exactly what "adroit" means and why that is the best answer choice.
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