GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

Example Question #233 : One Blank Texts

After spending a week in the wilderness eating only nuts and berries, the diner''s limited menu was a practical __________.

Possible Answers:

haven

quagmire

sanctuary

wasteland

cornucopia

Correct answer:

cornucopia

Explanation:

The subject had been "eating only nuts and berries," which is what colors his perspective on "the diner's limited menu."  The correct answer will reflect that the menu appeared to be full of options.  "Cornucopia," literally a horn filled with fruit, but used here symbolically, is the best answer choice.

Example Question #234 : One Blank Texts

Both sides __________ meant that a compromise was never a likely outcome.

Possible Answers:

affability

encouragement

openness

orthodoxy

intractability

Correct answer:

intractability

Explanation:

A "compromise was never a likely outcome," because of the missing word being had by "both sides." The correct answer needs to indicate a hostility or opposition to deal making. "Intractability," meaning stubbornness or difficulty, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #235 : One Blank Texts

Although she started her career as an outsider, by her retirement she was a __________ in the field.

Possible Answers:

toady

sycophant

minion

luminary

recluse

Correct answer:

luminary

Explanation:

The sentence compares the missing word with her original position as "an outsider." The correct answer will demonstrate a position of importance and primacy in her field.  "Luminary," meaning a leader and eminent person, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #236 : One Blank Texts

The movie featured a tired plot with an evil supervillain using __________.

Possible Answers:

heroes

subversives

idols

minions

iconoclast

Correct answer:

minions

Explanation:

The sentence notes the plot is "tired," indicating the use of the "evil villain" is fairly sterotypical. The correct answer must indicate similarly hackneyed tropes. "Minions," meaning servants or underlings, and often indicating ineptness, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #237 : One Blank Texts

The influential generals became a __________ of powerful military interests in the weakened government

Possible Answers:

vicissitude

paradox

cornucopia

syllogism

coterie

Correct answer:

coterie

Explanation:

The "influential generals" are affecting the "weakened government."  This indicates that they have an outsized effect, and the correct answer will reflect this. "Coterie," meaning a small group or clique of like minded people, is the best answer choice.

Example Question #238 : One Blank Texts

The claim of thousands of protesters was __________ on the part of the group, which actually provided a turn out of a few hundreds.

Possible Answers:

admonitory

ambiguous

empirical

hyperbole

seditious

Correct answer:

hyperbole

Explanation:

The actual numbers at the protest, "a few hundred," stands in contrast to the group's claims of "thousands of protesters." This indicates the group was exaggerating for effect, the definition of "hyperbole."

Example Question #239 : One Blank Texts

Choose the answer choice that best completes the following sentence.

Although I felt confident that my mathematical abilities would give me a leading edge in Vegas, having tried my hand at gambling for the first time, I now realize I am a bit of a __________.

Possible Answers:

teetotaler

malcontent

bourgeois

masochist

tyro

Correct answer:

tyro

Explanation:

The leading word Although lets you know there will follow a contradiction or logical conflict in this sentence. In this case, it is between the speaker's imagined skill at gambling, as evidenced by the phrase "I felt confident that my mathematical abilities would give me a leading edge in Vegas," and the word you aim to find. You should be on the lookout, then, for a word that inverts "having the leading edge," keeping in mind that the speaker specifies this is their first time gambling. "Tyro" means novice, or extremely inexperienced person, so it is the best fit here.

Example Question #240 : One Blank Texts

Choose the answer choice that best completes the following sentence.

"Tin" foil is actually a __________, the foil being made of aluminum rather than tin.

Possible Answers:

mistake

misnomer

commodity

faux Pas

malapropism

Correct answer:

misnomer

Explanation:

Notice that the word "tin" is in quotes. The clause "the foil being made of aluminum rather than tin" tells you why: since tin foil isn't actually made of tin, its name does not make much sense. This lets you know that the word you are looking for means a nonsensical or mistaken name; the only choice that fits the bill is "misnomer."

Example Question #241 : One Blank Texts

Choose the answer choice that best completes the following sentence.

The wealthy man's __________ against donating to charity, staunchly turning down every plea, was seen by his countrymen as evidence of his stingy and selfish nature.

Possible Answers:

insipidity

meddling

connivance

intransigence

benevolence

Correct answer:

intransigence

Explanation:

You are told that the wealthy man has something against donating to charity and that his countrymen see this as "evidence of his stingy and selfish nature." You can tell by the fact that he staunchly turns down every plea that the man must be consistently, stubbornly opposed to charitable donation; therefore, you should look for a word that means "stubbornness."  The word "intransigence" means stubborn or immovable, and is the best choice for this question.

Example Question #242 : One Blank Texts

George's general __________ made him wary of accepting the offer without knowing what the terms were.

Possible Answers:

credence

cynicism

troth

allegiance

Correct answer:

cynicism

Explanation:

"Cynicism" is the belief that people are motivated by selfishness

Tired of practice problems?

Try live online GRE prep today.

1-on-1 Tutoring
Live Online Class
1-on-1 + Class
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors