GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1481 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The angry customer's ___________________ was _____________________ with personal attacks and expletives.
encomium . . . rife
eulogy . . . awash
diatribe . . . void
harangue . . . replete
harangue . . . replete
"Harangue" and "replete" is the best choice here. "Encomium" and "eulogy" are positive words, out of place with the customer's anger. "Void" means empty, while a "diatribe" would be more likely to have personal attacks and expletives than not.
Example Question #1482 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The ___________________ of the star witness's testimony lessened the ___________________ of the prosecution's case.
loquacity . . . trajectory
submission . . . tautology
abrogation . . . credibility
recantation . . . solubility
abrogation . . . credibility
"Abrogation" and "credibility" is the best choice here. Neither "solubility," "tautology," or "trajectory" make sense in the second blank.
Example Question #1483 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
How the ____________________ computer program worked was a(n) _____________________.
convoluted . . . given
straightforward . . . conundrum
convex . . . mystery
labyrinthine . . . enigma
labyrinthine . . . enigma
"Labyrinthine" and "enigma" is the best choice here. "Convex" is a geometry term, while "given" would imply that the convoluted program is easy, and a "straightforward" or simple program would not be a "conundrum" or puzzle.
Example Question #1484 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The orator's _________________ was widespread, despite her _________________ manner outside of lectures.
fame . . . amicable
acclaim . . . cordial
renown . . . abrasive
obscurity . . . hostile
renown . . . abrasive
"Renown" and "abrasive" is the best choice here. "Fame" and "acclaim" also fit, but the word "despite" in the sentence signals that the second blank should be an adjective with a negative connotation. Furthermore, "obscurity" would not typically be described as widespread.
Example Question #1481 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The timid man's ________________ was complete when he spent the party virtually _______________ in the corner.
aggrandizement . . . cringing
abasement . . . cowering
degradation . . . mingling
exaltation . . . idling
abasement . . . cowering
"Abasement" and "cowering" is the best choice here. "Degradation" would need another negative word for the second blank, while "aggrandizement" and "exaltation" would need another positive word for the second blank; neither "mingling," "cringing," nor "idling" would fit with these.
Example Question #1486 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The subtle _______________ was so similar in technique that it _______________ little suspicion.
replica . . . deterred
original . . . incited
counterfeit . . . engendered
facsimile . . . prevented
counterfeit . . . engendered
"Counterfeit" and "engendered" are the best answer here- the fake was so realistic as to cause little suspicion. Replica and facsimile are close in meaning to counterfeit but "deterred" and "prevented" are antonyms for "engendered," meaning they would have caused a lot of suspicion. "Original" would be an antonym for counterfeit.
Example Question #1487 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Deidre planted strong-smelling herbs like lemon balm and chives in an effort to __________ deer from eating her flowers; alas, the animals were __________ by the scents and did not flag in their efforts to dine on her garden.
repel . . . abashed
exculpate . . . rejected
deter . . . unperturbed
deride . . . attracted
diffuse . . . negated
deter . . . unperturbed
The word "alas" shows us that the sentence is shifting in meaning. "Deter" (turn away) and "unperturbed" (not bothered) properly complete the sentence.
Example Question #1482 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.
In contrast to her boss, whose __________ nature made him too unpredictable and explosive to deal with cantankerous customers, Helen was able to tamp down any frustration she felt and display only __________ towards their clientele.
irascible . . . equanimity
bombastic . . . stoicism
officious . . . composure
loathsome . . . fervor
mercurial . . . intractability
irascible . . . equanimity
Here, we are looking for two opposing ideas, the first being "too unpredictable and explosive" and the second being its opposite. "Irascible" (quick to anger) and "equanimity" (calmness) fit.
Example Question #1483 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Despite the prosecution’s claim that Milo’s statements were __________, Milo continued to __________ the veracity of his testimony.
partisan . . . contest
false . . . protest
inconsequential . . . divert
uncanny . . . bolster
spurious . . . aver
spurious . . . aver
Key words here are "despite" (indicating that we're looking for a shift in meaning) and "veracity" (truthfulness). "Spurious" (false) and "aver" (to assert) best complete the sentence.
Example Question #1484 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.
It was true that Trevor wasn’t particularly renowned for his propriety, but he was still shocked that his __________ brother neglected to invite him to his wedding. Surely, Trevor was capable of refraining from his usual __________ for a single night.
insipid . . . chicanery
vindictive . . . alacrity
abstemious . . . debauchery
complaisant . . . harangue
garrulous . . . grandiloquence
abstemious . . . debauchery
The first key word here is "propriety" (respectability, uprightness). The second blank is set up to contrast with "propriety." "Debauchery" (drunkenness, corruptness) fits. Knowing that, we can assume that his brother expresses the opposite of this; he is "abstemious" (self-disciplined, sober).
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