GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #123 : One Blank Texts

He thought his business cards would give his start up company a ______________ of legitimacy.

Possible Answers:

flouting

redaction

paucity

genre

veneer

Correct answer:

veneer

Explanation:

"Business cards" for a "start up company" are a minimal level of business ephemera. The correct answer will appropriately reflect this small token of legitimacy. "Veneer," meaning a thin sheet of material, but used here metaphorically, is the best fit.

Example Question #124 : One Blank Texts

Fearful of being long lost in the waters, the ship’s navigator rushed to find his __________, as the ship continued to drift into unknown seas.

Possible Answers:

cartographer

assistant

sextant

mast

adjutant

Correct answer:

sextant

Explanation:

Here one must have the vocabulary to choose correctly. "Sextant" is correct because the navigator would use this instrument to navigate in uncharted seas, using the stars as a reference point. Do not be tempted by "assistant," which would only be a distant second-best. Likewise, "cartographer" doubly does not fit, for the cartographer makes maps, which would not really be needed if one is fearful of being lost. One wishes here to be lost no longer—hence, the usefulness of a "sextant."

Example Question #411 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The old classicist had become a __________ in his old age, having collected many types of ancient currency at archaeological digs, in the course of his long career.

 

Possible Answers:

spendthrift

philanderer

bore

curator

numismatist

Correct answer:

numismatist

Explanation:

The clear choice can be made only by vocabulary knowledge. Otherwise, this question may lead you to choose any of the other answers. The word "numismatic" means relating to currency, and has a long etymology. Deep beneath the surface of the word is the Greek "nomos," which means custom, usage, or law. This last—law—we see in a word like "autonomy," meaning self ("auto-") rule.  

This is related to "numismatics," because in many ways the value of currency is customary (or at least based upon many things that are not of intrinsic value). As Aristotle observed in the Politics, "Others maintain that coined money is a mere sham, a thing not natural, but conventional only, because, if the users substitute another commodity for it, it is worthless, and because it is not useful as a means to any of the necessities of life, and, indeed, he who is rich in coin may often be in want of necessary food."

Example Question #412 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

It is hard to attain __________ even among two people, but this collection of men is particularly divided in their opinions and will never be capable of such perfect agreement.

Possible Answers:

unanimity

termination

friendship

accord

agreement

Correct answer:

unanimity

Explanation:

The key phrase is "perfect agreement." Recognizing this, you can quickly ascertain the correct answer, if you know the meaning of unanimity—complete agreement in a group. It comes from the Latin roots "unus" (one; see "unity," "uniform," "unit," etc.) and "animus" (soul or mind; see "animated," "magnanimous").

Example Question #127 : One Blank Texts

The company required new marketing to reach a younger _________________.

Possible Answers:

clientele

vignette

refuse

province

precinct

Correct answer:

clientele

Explanation:

The "new marketing" is reaching out to new groups—in this particular case a younger one. The correct answer needs to mean customer base, the definition of "clientele."

Example Question #413 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The ________________ between the groups showed up everywhere—from different test scores to divergent career paths.

Possible Answers:

disparity

spontaneity

gravity

commonality

contemporaneity

Correct answer:

disparity

Explanation:

The key words in the sentence are "different" and "divergent." The correct answer needs to underscore the difference between the groups. "Disparity," meaning an inequality, is the best answer choice.

Example Question #414 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Although he viewed himself as an inspirational leader, his employees viewed their boss as an insufferable ______________.

Possible Answers:

pedant

bon vivant

iconoclast

belligerent

mercenary

Correct answer:

pedant

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts how the employees view their boss with how he views himself, (as "inspirational"). The correct answer will indicate that his employees find him uninspiring and dull. "Pedant," meaning someone who overly explains simple concepts, is the best choice.

Example Question #415 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

He was reprimanded for violating ________________ after he ignored regulations to complete the mission.

Possible Answers:

convention

protocol

aesthetics

forensics

placebo

Correct answer:

protocol

Explanation:

The sentence outright states the subject "ignored regulations." This means he was "reprimanded for violating" something related to "regulations." "Protocol," meaning an official procedure or code of behavior, is the correct answer.

Example Question #416 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The Lieutenant was considered a strange choice to lead, as most officers thought he lacked the __________ to see out the mission.

Possible Answers:

nostalgia

levity

fortitude

ordination

disinterest

Correct answer:

fortitude

Explanation:

The Lieutenant must "see out the mission," and the missing word indicates the ability to do that. "Fortitude," meaning strength and bravery, is the correct answer.

Example Question #411 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The investigation revealed the group's chief method of __________ was to threaten violence against family members.

Possible Answers:

veneration

innovation

deliberation

negotiation

coercion

Correct answer:

coercion

Explanation:

The threat of violence indicates the group was using force as their chief tool. The correct answer needs to mean persuade through violence or force, the definition of "coercion."

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