GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #831 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Although he claimed to be unfairly _________, the evidence of his misbehavior was slowly stacking up.

Possible Answers:

accompanied

honored

exhumed

impugned

privileged

Correct answer:

impugned

Explanation:

The sentence describes the subject's belief he was "unfairly" having the missing word done to him.  This is despite the fact the "evidence of his misbehavior" is expanding, which means the correct answer should indicate criticism. "Impugned," meaning to challenge or question someone's honor, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #520 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Being wrong was a possibility the cocksure know it all could never __________.

Possible Answers:

eliminate

refuse

brook

combat

dismiss

Correct answer:

brook

Explanation:

The sentence describes the subject as a "cocksure know it all."  This means that he would never be able to understand how he could be wrong, and the correct answer will reflect this. "Brook," meaning to consider or approach, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #521 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

To make the gift fancier, the books were _________ with custom trim on their covers.

Possible Answers:

eroded

embossed

undermined

defaced

sabotaged

Correct answer:

embossed

Explanation:

The missing word describes something done to "make the gift fancier." The correct answer, therefore, must indicate a special task to personalize or improve the books. "Embossed," meaning to decorate with a special stamp, is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #522 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The general's attack did not seek to destroy his opponent, but simply to __________ the opposing forward line.

Possible Answers:

enervate

eviscerate

propagate

fusillade

masticate

Correct answer:

enervate

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly notes that the attack would not  "destroy his opponent," and the missing word has to mean harming, but less than "destroy." The correct answer needs to mean weaken or fatigue, the definition of "enervate."

Example Question #523 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The team's poor play in the season opener __________ a difficult year for their fans.

Possible Answers:

resuscitated

equivocated

enervated

imitated

presaged

Correct answer:

presaged

Explanation:

The sentence notes the team's fans had "a difficult year" after their "poor play in the season opener." This means the correct answer will therefore indicate a connection between the team's play in their opener and the rest of the year. "Presaged," meaning forewarned or foreshadowed, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #524 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The only way to solve the decades old murder was to __________ the victim for analysis.

Possible Answers:

venerate

disregard

flout

entomb

disinter

Correct answer:

disinter

Explanation:

The sentence notes that the victim of a "decades old murder" had to be "analyzed." The correct answer will indicate that a dead body had to looked at and examined. "Disinter," meaning to dig up or remove from a grave, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #525 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The plan was simply to __________ the procession, but it ended up completely cancelling it.

Possible Answers:

orate

eviscerate

impede

hallow

deride

Correct answer:

impede

Explanation:

The plan actually "ended up completely cancelling" the procession, although it was only supposed to do the missing word. This means that the correct answer will show it was not supposed to go that far. "Impede," meaning to hinder or get in the way, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #526 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The recipe carefully instructed that the ingredients should not __________ until specifically instructed to blend them.

Possible Answers:

commingle

separate

eschew

emboss

cant

Correct answer:

commingle

Explanation:

The recipe directs ingredients should only mix when "specifically instructed." This indicates the correct answer will mean blending or coming together, the definition of "commingling."

Example Question #527 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

With the monument, the veterans' group hoped to __________ the battlefield in the memory of the wounded and fallen.

Possible Answers:

disinter

desecrate

obviate

impede

hallow

Correct answer:

hallow

Explanation:

The sentence describes a "veterans' group" placing a memorial for "the wounded and fallen." The correct answer needs to indicate that the group is making the memorial a special place. "Hallow," meaning to worship or revere, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #838 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

A good appetizer will __________ a diner's appetite without ruining the meal.

Possible Answers:

resolve

pique

confound

obscure

obliterate

Correct answer:

pique

Explanation:

The sentence describes a "good appetizer" as not "ruining the meal." This means an appetizer will enhance or help an appetite. "Pique," meaning to stimulate interest, is the best choice among the answers.

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