GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #461 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

With his newfound wealth, he decided to become a __________ of various artistic endeavors.

Possible Answers:

sycophant

cynic

patron

critic

heretic

Correct answer:

patron

Explanation:

Two things are known about the subject from the sentence: he has "newfound wealth" and he is working with "various artistic endeavors." "Patron," meaning a generous financial supporter, is the correct answer.

Example Question #462 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Many television executives believe the most important part of a show is a strong __________.

Possible Answers:

paragon

protagonist

zealot

hypochondriac

recluse

Correct answer:

protagonist

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly deals with television shows. Of all the answer choices, only "protagonist," meaning the main character in a work of fiction, relates in any way to the making or analysis of a television show.

Example Question #463 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Complete the text by picking the best entry for each blank from the corresponding column of choices.

2.  Mother Teresa so ardently pursued the __________ of impoverished peoples' lives that she received international recognition for her compassion and generosity.

Possible Answers:

decline

preservation

deterioration

conservation

amelioration

Correct answer:

amelioration

Explanation:

"Decline" and "deterioration" would indicate that Mother Teresa was working towards impoverished peoples' lives getting worse, which does not make sense. "Conservation" and "preservation" could work as they would indicate that Mother Teresa was protecting impoverished people. "Amelioration", meaning betterment makes the most sense.

Example Question #464 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Though my mother had hoped that making me play football would rid me of my __________, the aggression of my fellow players only constrained me further. 

Possible Answers:

extroversion

mettle

diffidence

assertiveness

fatuity

Correct answer:

diffidence

Explanation:

Ridding her son of his "extroversion" would indicate that the mother wants to make her son less outgoing by making him join a football team, which does not make sense. "Mettle" means vigor of spirit, which is an attribute that joining the football team could probably strengthen, so that also does not make sense. "Assertiveness", or self-assurance, would also probably be strengthened by joining the football team. "Fatuity" is absurdity, which has nothing to do with constraint. "Diffidence", which means shyness, does make sense though.

Example Question #465 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Mistaking Johnny's quiet __________ for weakness, bullies looked upon him as an easy target.

Possible Answers:

exuberance

docility

intractability

loquacity

rambunctiousness

Correct answer:

docility

Explanation:

"Loquacity," "exuberance," and "rambunctiousness" are all characteristics of loud people. "Intractability" would be used to describe someone stubborn, so that also does not make sense. "Docility," meaning yielding to authority, does make sense though.

Example Question #466 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

My grandmother is a dramatic woman, prone to fits of excessive weeping, uncontrollable laughter, and lengthy speeches about the __________ of woes that have befallen her throughout her lifetime.

Possible Answers:

plethora

dearth

scarcity

probability

implausibility

Correct answer:

plethora

Explanation:

"Probability," meaning likelihood, and "implausibility," meaning unlikelihood, do not make sense because the woes have already befallen the person's grandmother, so we would not be talking about them as uncertain events. "Dearth" and "scarcity" both mean lack of, which also does not make sense because the grandmother would not be complaining that she had not faced enough unfortunate events. "Plethora," meaning a lot of, makes much more sense. 

Example Question #467 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Her mother's __________ of her new friends made her want to see them more out of spite.

Possible Answers:

condoning

paean

veracity

disapprobation

befuddlement

Correct answer:

disapprobation

Explanation:

The daughter wishes to "spite" her mother because of her mother's feeling about "her new friends." Since she spites her mother by seeing them more, her mother must dislike her friends. "Disapprobation," meaning disapproval or condemnation, is the correct answer.

Example Question #468 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

His peculiar __________ for hiring art students in his business set him apart from his competitors who would never think of it.

Possible Answers:

aversion

complacence

malice

bent

indifference

Correct answer:

bent

Explanation:

As his competitors would "never think of it," hiring art students is something peculiar and interesting for the subject of the sentence. The correct answer should mean a particular fondness for or inclination toward, the definition of "bent," when used as a noun.

Example Question #469 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The humanitarian effort was a __________ and actually ended up harming some people it intended to help.

Possible Answers:

decoy

caprice

pastiche

debacle

mélange

Correct answer:

debacle

Explanation:

The "humanitarian effort" wound up "harming some people," which indicates that it was not successful.   The correct answer will reflect the effort's failure and backfiring. "Debacle," meaning a disaster or complete failure, is the best choice.

Example Question #470 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

In political races, __________ often hold a distinct advantage over challengers with no experience in the job.

Possible Answers:

intemperates

penumbras

archetypes

paragons

incumbents

Correct answer:

incumbents

Explanation:

The sentence notes the missing word indicates people who have an advantage over people who have never held a position before. The correct answer will mean the current holders of a job or title, the definition of "incumbents."

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