GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #381 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The celebrated author coined many ___________________ that have sprung into use as common phrases.
decoys
derisions
paragons
neologisms
preambles
neologisms
The author "coined" some "common phrases," so the missing word will indicate new language. The correct answer will mean a newly coined word or phrase, the definition of "neologism."
Example Question #94 : One Blank Texts
The _______ from the back of the room was disquieting to the nervous boy, who hated being laughed at.
guffaw
nonchalance
placebo
candor
jaunt
guffaw
The key phrase in the sentence is "being laughed at." As that phrase refers back to the missing word, the correct answer must mean a big or notable laugh, the definition of guffaw.
Example Question #382 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His lack of curiosity about art marked him as a _______________ among his friends.
sage
zealot
philistine
talisman
superlative
philistine
The sentence notes the subject's "lack of curiosity" as the reason his friends view him the way they do. The correct answer needs to demonstrate a lack of knowledge. "Philistine," meaning an uncultured and unsophisticated person, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #383 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Years later, the man still expressed ________________ for the harm he caused as a boy.
contrition
ambivalence
belligerence
indifference
congeniality
contrition
"The harm he caused" indicates a troubling past that the man is reflecting on. The correct answer will express how he feels now. "Contrition," meaning sorrow and repentance, is the best answer.
Example Question #384 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The girl had enough __________________ to talk her way out of gym class.
guile
piety
irascibility
degradation
rancor
guile
Getting "out of gym class" was possible because the girl had the quality described by the missing word. The correct answer needs to appropriately reflect her abilities. "Guile," meaning cunning or craftiness, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #385 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The patriotic speech often slipped too far into ________________.
platitudes
eulogy
polemic
jingoism
euphemism
jingoism
While many of the answer could fit the sentence, the best choice must be found. The speech is patriotic, but goes too far, and the answer must reflect both of these things. "Jingoism," meaning over the top patriotic speech, is the best choice.
Example Question #386 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The small role proved to be the _______________ of his career, as he never garnered any more success.
nadir
consensus
alibi
paragon
zenith
zenith
The sentence says the subject "never garnered any more success." This means that the correct answer will mean a high point or peak, the definition of "zenith."
Example Question #387 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Being uncomfortable with fame, the author became a ______________ and never gave interviews.
cynic
recluse
itinerant
nomad
hermit
recluse
The sentence notes both that the author was "uncomfortable with fame" and "never gave interviews." The correct answer will indicate the author's avoidance of others. "Recluse," meaning a person who cuts himself off from others, is the best choice.
Example Question #388 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Her _____________ was astonishing, and she was often a victim of fraud.
irrepressibility
gullibility
omniscience
libertarianism
nonchalance
gullibility
Being "a victim of fraud" indicates the subject of the sentence was easily tricked and duped. The correct answer will mean too trusting or easy to be fooled, the definition of gullibility.
Example Question #102 : One Blank Texts
Her _________________ was contagious, and soon the whole room was smiling.
elusiveness
lasciviousness
jollity
philanthropy
irascibility
jollity
What is "contagious" turns "the whole room smiling." This means the correct answer will indicate something that produces smiling. "Jollity," meaning happiness or levity, is the best choice.
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