All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #461 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
With his newfound wealth, he decided to become a __________ of various artistic endeavors.
sycophant
cynic
patron
critic
heretic
patron
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 __________.
paragon
protagonist
zealot
hypochondriac
recluse
protagonist
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.
decline
preservation
deterioration
conservation
amelioration
amelioration
"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.
extroversion
mettle
diffidence
assertiveness
fatuity
diffidence
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.
exuberance
docility
intractability
loquacity
rambunctiousness
docility
"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.
plethora
dearth
scarcity
probability
implausibility
plethora
"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.
condoning
paean
veracity
disapprobation
befuddlement
disapprobation
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.
aversion
complacence
malice
bent
indifference
bent
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.
decoy
caprice
pastiche
debacle
mélange
debacle
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.
intemperates
penumbras
archetypes
paragons
incumbents
incumbents
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."