GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #1841 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

"Do not do that!" yelled the angry mother, who proceeded to _____________ her child for acting _____________ to the nice cashier

Possible Answers:

scold . . . kindly

praise . . . solemnly

admonish . . . rudely

applaud . . . secretly

worship . . . loudly

Correct answer:

admonish . . . rudely

Explanation:

"Admonish" is one of the only choices that makes sense, along with "scold", echoing the sentiment from the harsh words at the beginning of the sentence. "Rudely" solidifies "admonish" as the only choice, as "kindly" does not fit

Example Question #1842 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

The band's outfit choice was ______________ by the media for its fresh, innovative appeal, while their _____________ songs, released yesterday, were bashed

Possible Answers:

praised . . . latest

encouraged . . . welcome

snubbed . . . halcyon

negated . . . blue

upbraided . . . fiery

Correct answer:

praised . . . latest

Explanation:

The word "praised" makes sense because it matches the positive descriptors of the outfit that follows later in the sentence; "latest" makes sense as an adjective because the next phrase, "released yesterday" gives evidence of the recent nature of the songs

Example Question #1841 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

Stopping at the traffic light, the _____________ old woman, frustrated by the traffic, rolled down her window and ______________ the young driver for his loud music.

Possible Answers:

cantankerous . . . berated

calm . . . roared

violent . . . laughed

basic . . . undermined

odious . . . applauded

Correct answer:

cantankerous . . . berated

Explanation:

The modifier "cantankerous" applies to the woman's demeanor, with "frustration" providing a clue. The word "berated" works due to context--none of the other verbs are transitive and can operate without a conjunction besides this option and "undermined", which doesn't make sense.

Example Question #1844 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

Seldom does the ___________ woman say nice things-most people expect only meanness-but today, she _____________ the community into her home and apologized for her previous unkindness.

Possible Answers:

churlish . . . welcomed

mellifluous . . . maligned

flat . . . glanced

shocking . . . braided

pleasant . . . excused

Correct answer:

churlish . . . welcomed

Explanation:

"Churlish" describes the demeanor of the woman who only does unkind things. "Welcomed" is the only verb that works to describe the bringing together of the community.

Example Question #1845 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

The _____________ woman, not phased by anything, took a running leap at the tiger, who similarly _______________ no mortal.

Possible Answers:

pleasant . . . worshiped

frightened . . . loved

sly . . . ornery 

whipped . . . disregard

brave . . . feared

Correct answer:

brave . . . feared

Explanation:

"Brave" works because it frames the actions of the woman running towards a tiger; "feared" works as well, because it is set up in the sentence as the emotion that both the tiger and the woman are both supposed to lack.

Example Question #1846 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

Though the title of the play would elicit anything but a(n) ____________ psychological reaction, the performance itself _____________ the minds of every audience member.

Possible Answers:

intimate . . . jaded

conventional . . . bewildered

visceral . . . addled

pedestrian . . . disconcerted 

instinctual . . . burnished

Correct answer:

visceral . . . addled

Explanation:

Note that the first part of the sentence presents us with a double shift, indicated by “though” and “anything but.” Thus, both parts of the sentence are more or less equivalent. “Jaded” means to make weary or dull. “Visceral” refers to an intuitive feeling involving base emotions. To “addle” means to confuse. “Visceral . . . addled” is our answer.

Example Question #1842 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

She was ______________ to ______________ his request, seeing as how he had dominated the conversation the last time she had consented to meet with him.

Possible Answers:

disinclined . . . veto

loath . . . acquiesce

averse . . . spurn

keen . . . consent

eager . . . accede

Correct answer:

loath . . . acquiesce

Explanation:

Since he had dominated their last conversation, it seems unlikely that she would be “eager” or “keen” to meet with him. Do not confuse “loath” with “loathe;” loath means to be reluctant. “Acquiesce” means to agree to something. These two form the correct answer.

Example Question #1848 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

The ______________ murderer was eventually caught, and after a lengthy trial, he was _____________ of all charges. 

Possible Answers:

reputed . . . impugned

apparent . . . expurgated

remorseful . . . exonerated

alleged . . . acquitted

convicted . . . absolved

Correct answer:

alleged . . . acquitted

Explanation:

“Impugn” means to call into question something false or wrong. “Expurgate” means to censor. Since it wouldn’t make sense for a guilty murderer to be “absolved” or “exonerated,” these two can be eliminated. This leaves us with “alleged . . . acquitted” as the correct answer.

Example Question #1849 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

The family awoke in the middle of the night to ______________ black smoke _______________ their home; it filled their lungs and left a sharp taste in their mouths.

Possible Answers:

caustic . . . lambasting

acrid . . . permeating

aromatic . . . saturating

pungent . . . rankling

savory . . . imbuing

Correct answer:

acrid . . . permeating

Explanation:

“Aromatic” is similar to “aroma,” except that it refers exclusively to things that smell good. “Savory” has a similar definition. “Acrid” refers to a sharp, unpleasant smell. “Permeate” means to fill or pass through every part. “Acrid . . . permeating” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1850 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

The insurance industry has many opportunities to crunch numbers; however, if you can’t get a job in the _______________ market, it would be a good idea to find one that ______________ your skills and abilities. 

Possible Answers:

analytical . . . impedes

actuarial . . . utilizes

arbitral . . . hones

arithmetical . . . stymies

verbiage . . . implements

Correct answer:

actuarial . . . utilizes

Explanation:

It would not be a good idea to find a job that prevents or blocks your skills and abilities. Therefore, “impedes” and “stymies” can be eliminated. An “actuary” is someone who calculates risk for insurance companies, and “actuarial” is an adjective for this type of employment. “Actuarial . . . utilizes” is the correct answer.

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