GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #481 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The praising nod from the CEO during the keynote speech affirmed that the auditor was at the __________ of her career.
anticlimax
nadir
apogee
base
apogee
Apogee—the highest point; climax.
Example Question #482 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word that best completes the sentence below.
Before deciding which graphic designer to award the contract to, the manager required each designer to submit a(n) __________ of what he or she thought the finished website should look like.
repudiation
approbation
critique
facsimile
parody
facsimile
The correct answer is "facsimile," as it means a copy of an original (hence where the term "fax" comes from). In this case, the designers are required to submit an accurate copy of what they think the finished product should be so the manager can decide which is best.
Example Question #194 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word that best completes the sentence below.
The unhinged, bizarre motions of the jazz pianist as he performed on stage belied his __________, which earned him a reputation as an unorthodox yet highly skilled musician.
ineptitude
felicity
serendipity
virtuosity
passion
virtuosity
The sentence implies the pianist is an unusual performer with great skill in his instrument. Thus, "virtuosity" is the correct answer, as "virtuoso" is often used to describe a highly talented, elite musician.
Example Question #483 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Neuroscientists suggest there is a decline in neural __________ due to the natural aging process, leading to more rigidity and less alterations in the neural pathways.
coagulation
petrification
extinction
plasticity
reciprocity
plasticity
Studies suggest that due to aging, neural pathways become more rigid. Thus, they have less "plasticity," or pliancy.
Example Question #484 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The ballet company is composed of an elite ensemble of dancers that have gone through laborious training; the dancers are familiar with criticism, but rarely get __________ for their efforts.
approbation
partiality
censure
apotheosis
repercussions
approbation
Ballet dancers are under constant scrutiny but often don't receive praise for their work since criticism seems to be more prevalent in the ballet industry; therefore, they rarely get "approbation," or praise.
Example Question #197 : One Blank Texts
Although today it is widely accepted, Wegener's theory of contiental drift was hotly contested when it was first proposed, which made him a __________ in the scientific community of the time.
firebrand
debutante
socialite
pariah
hero
pariah
Wegener's theory was rejected when it was first proposed, and thus the scientific community must have not thought highly of it; therefore, "pariah," which means outcast, makes the most sense in this sentence.
Example Question #198 : One Blank Texts
Tara was an unwaveringly honest woman, and as such she never tolerated __________ among her employees.
dignity
veracity
ferocity
solemnity
mendacity
mendacity
Tara is supposedly a very honest woman, and therefore she would not likely put up with liars. Since "mendacity" means untruthfulness, it is the best choice for this sentence.
Example Question #485 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Despite constant __________, the incorrigible student did nothing to discontinue his unruly behavior and remained impenitent in terms of his actions.
opprobrium
guile
epigrams
accolades
deference
opprobrium
In terms of this student with horrendous behavior, he remains unreformed despite constant "opprobrium," or criticism.
Example Question #201 : One Blank Texts
The young girl's__________ was impressive despite its overwrought effect.
complacence
reticence
verbiage
excellence
asperity
verbiage
The effect of the missing word is "overwrought," which means it is extremely long and complicated; nonetheless, the impressiveness indicates it is something a "young girl" might not normally achieve. "Verbiage," meaning an excess and overuse of words, is the correct answer.
Example Question #202 : One Blank Texts
He had hoped that his gift of a dozen roses was a proper __________ for offending his wife.
refutation
atonement
lambaste
evanescence
recantation
atonement
The sentence explicitly notes the subject had bought the roses after "offending his wife." This means the missing word will indicate the subject is trying to make up for the offense. "Atonement," meaning making amends for a crime or offense, is the correct answer.
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