GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

Example Question #321 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The actor's unplanned and unannounced _____________ from the film set left the producers wondering where he went.

Possible Answers:

hiatus

arrival

eulogy

appearance

resplendence

Correct answer:

hiatus

Explanation:

The fact the producers of the film did not know where the actor went indicate he had gone somewhere. Hiatus, meaning a pause or leave of absence, fits best in the context of the sentence.

Example Question #6 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Underestimated by her teachers, the kindergartner showed surprising _____________ on her intelligence test.

Possible Answers:

torpidity

equivalency

timidity

punctuality

acuity

Correct answer:

acuity

Explanation:

The two words that give the best context for the sentence are "intelligence" and "underestimated." Both words indicate the kindergartner showed smarts and ability beyond her teachers assumptions. Only acuity, meaning "mental sharpness," fits the appropriate meaning.

Example Question #322 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Travelling from one town to the next, Jason felt more like a                   than a citizen of any one locale.

Possible Answers:

rascal

miscreant

beggar

migrant

stranger

Correct answer:

migrant

Explanation:

The sense that fits the blank is that Jason feels like a person that is unrooted from any single place. It might be tempting to imagine that such a person is a rascal, a miscreant, or perhaps even a beggar; however, these words do not capture the sense of being unrooted as much as effects often following on that. The same goes for "stranger," though in a slightly more removed way; therefore, the word that makes the most sense is "migrant."

Example Question #323 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

His mother decided to give him a sense of __________ by sending him to a manners class.

Possible Answers:

debility

animalism

affability

decorum

obsequiousness

Correct answer:

decorum

Explanation:

The manners class will give the boy the missing word, so the correct answer will be related to manners. "Decorum," which signifies a correct behavior, is the only answer choice that makes sense in the sentence.

Example Question #324 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

His __________ was legendary, with his most notable contribution being the city's massive art museum.

Possible Answers:

parsimony

cynicism

largess

debility

puritanicalism

Correct answer:

largess

Explanation:

The fact that the subject of the sentence gave an art museum indicates he was quite generous. Of all the answer choices, only "largess" means generosity or giving.

Example Question #325 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

His love of cats soon became an _____________, and he soon adopted any stray he found.

Possible Answers:

decorum

obsession

therapy

portent

largess

Correct answer:

obsession

Explanation:

All the answer choices can make some level of sense in the sentence, so the task is to find the best choice. The man is essentially seeking out cats all the time, so the correct answer needs to indicate the way his love of cats is dominating his life. "Obsession," meaning a concern that overtakes someone completely, is the best answer choice.

Example Question #326 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The track star did not excel at one single event, but was a champion in the __________ because he could do many events quite well.

Possible Answers:

javelin

marathon

sprint

relay

decathalon

Correct answer:

decathalon

Explanation:

All of the answer choices are track events, but the answer needs to reflect the "many events" in which the athlete excels. "Decathalon," meaning a competition of ten events, should immediately stick out. The root deca- means ten, and decathalon is the only answer choice that reflects many events.

Example Question #327 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The scandalized politician launched ______________ against his accusers, screaming obscenities and calling them names.

Possible Answers:

apologetics

campaigns

examinations

expositions

tirades

Correct answer:

tirades

Explanation:

The key element in the sentence is the obscenities and name-calling. The politician is giving not just any speech, but a nasty one full of hatred and abuse. The only answer choice that fits the sentence then, is "tirade," which means a speech full of nasty words and hatred.

Example Question #328 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The new president refused to comment on the previous regime's policies, out of ___________ to his predecessor.

Possible Answers:

posterity

hostility

officiousness

animosity

deference

Correct answer:

deference

Explanation:

The new president is attempting to show respect and possibly admiration for his predecessor, without commenting or saying too much information. "Deference," which means a polite respect, is the only answer choice that fits the sentence.

Example Question #14 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The ballplayer was highly suspicious, and considered music in the clubhouse a ________ for a loss.

Possible Answers:

eulogy

bulwark

portent

tome

blunderbess

Correct answer:

portent

Explanation:

The fact the ballplayer was suspicious means he was on the lookout for coincidences and signs. "Portent," which means an omen or warning sign, is the correct answer choice.

Tired of practice problems?

Try live online GRE prep today.

1-on-1 Tutoring
Live Online Class
1-on-1 + Class
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors