GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #1601 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

When the article _______________ that the candidate had a long and troubling history of _________________, there was a massive movement made by presidential supporters to boycott the paper.

Possible Answers:

insinuated . . . rectitude

asserted . . . veracity

exculpated . . . impropriety

rescinded . . . corruption

alleged . . . malfeasance

Correct answer:

alleged . . . malfeasance

Explanation:

The backlash made by the presidential supporters implies that something bad or denigrating had been written about the candidate. Therefore, we can cross “veracity” and “rectitude” off the list. To “allege” is to accuse without proof, and “malfeasance” means wrongful behavior by a public official. These two form the correct response.

Example Question #1602 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Although the _________________ of the Middle East has been in flux since the chaos following Arab Spring, the U.S still ______________ that intervention was the correct course of action.

Possible Answers:

paucity . . . vilifies 

scarcity . . . paucity

temerity . . . plays

capacity . . . interjects

stability . . . asserts

Correct answer:

stability . . . asserts

Explanation:

"Stability" makes since for the first answer, because the word "chaos" indicates that whatever is in flux must be the opposite of this word. The word "assert" makes sense as the verb choice, because the other verb choices doesn't make sense in the context of the blank.

Example Question #1603 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

He was a strict _______________ to the local church, unrivalled in his devotion. But after a neighboring chapel burned down and his congregation ______________ with another, he never passed through the church doors again.

Possible Answers:

aesthete . . . consolidated

votary . . . venerated

defamer . . . coalesced

adherent . . . amalgamated

disciple . . . abated

Correct answer:

adherent . . . amalgamated

Explanation:

If “aesthete” sounds like a plausible choice, know that it refers to a person who has a great love of art. “Aesthetic” is a similar word, which concerns the appreciation of beauty. An “adherent” is a supporter. To “amalgamate” means to mix or merge. “Adherent . . . amalgamated” is the correct response.

Example Question #1604 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

When the bickering grew louder, they ________________ the meeting in order to retain what little _____________ remained.

Possible Answers:

perpetuated . . . civility

deferred . . . gaffe

suspended . . . ribaldry

protracted . . . propriety

adjourned . . . decorum

Correct answer:

adjourned . . . decorum

Explanation:

“Ribaldry” is being indecent or vulgar. A “gaffe” is a mistake made in front of others. Neither of these words fit in the second blank. “Perpetuated” and “protracted” suggests that they lengthened the amount of time the meeting took, which would have been an unwise decision. “Decorum” is proper behavior. “Adjourned . . . decorum” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1605 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

He was always thinking ahead, especially in work; he had _____________ more than a thousand hours in vacation time so that he would have a(n) ______ in case something happened.

Possible Answers:

accrued . . . buffer

truncated . . . cushion

amassed . . . canard

dissipated . . . bulwark

cumulated . . . apogee

Correct answer:

accrued . . . buffer

Explanation:

To “truncate” means to shorten, which does not make sense given the context. If he was always thinking ahead, it’s only logical that he would save his hours for vacation in case he needed them sometime in the future. To “accrue” means to grow in value or size. A “buffer” is something that protects against annoyance or harm. Together, these form the correct answer.

Example Question #1606 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Virtual reality is sure to ______________ all of our current technologies; it will be as significant as the _____________ of the printing press.

Possible Answers:

mitigate . . . inauguration

supplant . . . advent

oust . . . abolishment

venerate . . . emergence

supersede . . . extirpation

Correct answer:

supplant . . . advent

Explanation:

“Mitigate . . . inauguration” is not a bad choice. “Mitigate” means to make milder or to lessen the force or influence; however, the word choice of “significant” and reference to the “printing press” implies that this will be a greater development than to simply “mitigate.” This will be revolutionary. It will take over. Thus, “supplant . . . advent” is the best answer.

Example Question #1607 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

He was a crowd favorite. His __________________ on the basketball court ________________ his small stature; however, the moment the whistle blew and the game started, he shut them up quickly with basket after basket.

Possible Answers:

antagonists . . . cajoled

adversaries . . . derided

associates . . . ridiculed

corrival . . . wheedled 

colleagues . . . disparaged

Correct answer:

adversaries . . . derided

Explanation:

“Cajole” and “wheedle” refer to influencing or persuading someone by flattery — neither of which are the word we want, given the context. For the first blank, it would seem likely that his allies are not looking down on his stature, especially considering that “he was a crowd favorite.” “Adversaries . . . derided” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1608 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The eruption of the ancient _________________, standing above the cloud and spewing a large amount of fire, ________________ the town underneath; luckily, everyone escaped.

Possible Answers:

customers . . . restrained

police . . . maligned

volcano . . . incinerated

reporters . . . enlightened

dogs . . . understood

Correct answer:

volcano . . . incinerated

Explanation:

"Volcano" is the only word that makes sense in context, as the following clause discusses the raining down of fire, which is a thing that pretty much only volcanoes, of the objects given in the answers, do. No other nouns fit there. "Incinerated" fits as the following word, as the previous clause discusses the raining of fire, and the following clause discusses the fortune that everyone escaped.

Example Question #1609 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The politician was convinced of his ______________ because of the screaming fans outside of his door, so he made the controversial decision to ______________ preparing for the debate to get more sleep.

Possible Answers:

popularity . . . neglect

weakness . . . appreciate

pleasure . . . enliven

love . . . strengthen

strength . . . begin

Correct answer:

popularity . . . neglect

Explanation:

"Popularity" makes sense given the description of the fans outside of the door. "Neglect" also works because it describes his stopping an action to get ready for sleep. This question was asking you to find an appropriate abstract noun, and a verb action based on the missing dynamic created by that abstract concept.

Example Question #1610 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The dictator displayed a _____________ for theft, using his power to _____________ for himself any property that he fancied.

Possible Answers:

proclivity . . . tout

alchemy . . . pervade

propensity . . . appropriate

vexation . . . rarefy

derision . . . obfuscate

Correct answer:

propensity . . . appropriate

Explanation:

"Proclivity" means natural predisposition. "Appropriate," as a verb, means to confiscate or take for one's own use. "Proclivity" has a similar meaning to "propensity," but "tout" means to publicly praise and therefore doesn't fit in the second blank.

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