GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #401 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The boy quickly became a ____________ for the cause, refusing to associate with any ideological opponents.
portent
sycophant
moderate
pragmatist
zealot
zealot
"Refusing to associate" with opponents indicates the boy was fiercely devoted to his cause, and the correct answer will indicate such a devoted person. "Zealot," meaning a fanatic or extreme partisan, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #402 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The commander was lauded as the ________________ of a naval officer that all subordinates should look to emulate.
archetype
alibi
placebo
philistine
pedant
archetype
The commander is who "subordinates should look to emulate," indicating he is a model for others. "Archetype," meaning a classic example or perfect form of something, is the correct answer.
Example Question #403 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
She often played the _________________ socially, but she was actually quite smart and well traveled.
poseur
ingenue
protagonist
archetype
phenom
ingenue
The missing word is contrasted with the subject being "actually quite smart and well traveled." The correct answer needs to mean someone who is not "smart and well-traveled." "Ingenue," meaning a naïve and unsophisticated young person, is the best answer.
Example Question #402 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The _______________ of available jobs made him broaden his employment criteria.
levity
abundance
ebullience
philanthropy
paucity
paucity
If the subject is having to "broaden his employment criteria," that means the "available jobs" are not very common. The correct answer must mean a lack or shortage, the definition of "paucity."
Example Question #404 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His noted ________________ caused the city fire department numerous headaches.
schizophrenia
subterfuge
embezzlement
kleptomania
pyromania
pyromania
The missing word is stated to have caused "headaches" for the fire department. The act described by the correct answer must deal with fires. "Pyromania," a compulsion to start fires, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #405 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
He knew so much about art history, his mind was its own __________________ of important facts about twentieth-century art.
veneer
artifice
effigy
receptacle
archives
archives
While some of the answer choices could fit, the best choice needs to be found. The subject knows a great deal, and his mind is holding onto a great amount of facts. "Archives," meaning a collection of records or a place to store documents, is the best choice.
Example Question #406 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
He was a horrible little ______________ that never appreciated anything his parents did for him.
hypochondriac
ascetic
ingrate
protégé
introvert
ingrate
The subject is said to have "never appreciated" his parents' actions, so the correct answer must show this lack of gratitude. "Ingrate,"meaning an ungrateful person, is the best choice.
Example Question #407 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
After chasing the biggest payday, athletes are often seen as _____________ with no sense of loyalty.
sycophants
mercenaries
philistines
paragons
vignettes
mercenaries
The key phrase in the sentence is "chasing the biggest payday." The athletes are being portrayed as only chasing money. "Mercenaries," meaning a hired person whose only concern is getting paid, is the correct answer.
Example Question #408 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Although he never suffered a major scandal, a series of _______________ wrecked his political career.
penances
precincts
rebuttal
peccadilloes
iconoclasms
peccadilloes
The sentence contrasts a hypothetical "major scandal" with the missing word. The correct answer will mean small problems or minor offenses, the definition of "peccadilloes."
Example Question #409 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
As the elder statesman's ___________________, her approach naturally mirrored his.
sycophant
sybarite
pedant
talisman
protégé
protégé
The subject's approach "naturally mirrored" the "elder statesman's." The correct answer will reflect the degree of closeness indicated by the use of "naturally." "Protégé," meaning a person taught or mentored by another, is the best choice.
All GRE Verbal Resources
