GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #4 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The teacher was concerned with the way her students dressed, but found it difficult to ____________ the topic of fashion.
laud
annihilate
broach
examine
exhaust
broach
The sentence makes it clear the teacher was uncomfortable talking about fashion. The use of the phrase "found it difficult" means that the correct choice will be a word indicating starting a conversation or discussion, which is the definition of "broach."
Example Question #4 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The most frightening side effect of the insecticide was that it often also caused the trees to _____________.
defoliate
extrapolate
undermine
dehydrate
extirpate
defoliate
The key word in the whole sentence is "trees," as it means the correct answer needs to be word having to do with trees. Of all the choices, only "defoliate," meaning to cause leaves to fall off, has anything to do with trees.
Example Question #5 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
His medical advice was often ridiculed, as he ______________ treatments like tea baths, milk diets, and twenty hours of sleep per day.
criticized
pondered
espoused
undermined
debunked
espoused
While other people ridiculed the treatments, the subject is actively giving out the advice. The correct answer will show he is lobbying and arguing for the treatments; therefore, "espoused," meaning to support or promote, is the correct answer.
Example Question #11 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The girl decided to _______________ her abilities by shooting at a basketball hoop for hours every day.
stymie
broach
hone
loosen
laud
hone
The idea of repetition indicated by the girl's hours of shooting means she is not expanding her abilities or weakening them. Instead, she is sharpening and refining them, which is the definition of "hone."
Example Question #12 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The crackdown on illegal contributions ______________ the need for further laws on the matter.
exacerbated
obviated
understated
overwhelmed
excelled
obviated
The "crackdown" and "further laws" would be going toward the same cause. If the "crackdown" did anything to "further laws," it would be to make them unnecessary or unimportant, the definition of "obviated."
Example Question #693 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The philosopher's new book was ____________ with logical problems.
completed
lauded
defunct
riddled
obviated
riddled
A philosopher essentially deals in logic, and to have "logical problems" in a philosophy book is a concern. The correct answer chocie should indicate that the book is full of issues. "Riddled," which means being full of or permeated by, is the correct answer.
Example Question #694 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The erroneous book _____________ many myths about American history.
criticized
confounded
perpetuated
subpoenaed
conflagrated
perpetuated
The structure of the sentence links the words "erroneous" and "myths" through the answer. Both words have to do with mistakes or incorrect facts, so the correct choice should indicate the errors help the myths. "Perpetuated," meaning to help continue or further, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #15 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
Every time he made a sale, he would ____________ around the office in celebration.
totter
strut
sprint
shuffle
cower
strut
The key phrase in the sentence is "celebration." The answer should indicate some movement that is celebratory or boasting. "Strut," meaning a swaggering walk, is the correct answer.
Example Question #13 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The football coach was most well known for _________________ his opponents , making them unsure what he would do.
complementing
condoning
reassuring
navigating
confounding
confounding
The opponents are "unsure" about the coach's actions, so the correct answer will indicate that. "Confounding," meaning confusing and baffling, is the best choice.
Example Question #696 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Despite his boasting, the scientist could never _____________ his claims with evidence.
repudiate
substantiate
congeal
criticize
stupefy
substantiate
The scientist had no evidence "despite his boasting," and the "never" means the correct answer will be a word indicating support. "Substantiate," meaning to verify with evidence, is the best choice.
All GRE Verbal Resources
