GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #861 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
The minister seemed so humble and pious that the parishioners were shocked when he __________ with the chapel coffer.
atrophied
blasphemed
abandoned
absconded
plundered
absconded
In this sentence, the parishioners' shock hints at a contradiction between the minister's seeming humility and his subsequent action. Noting that "coffer" refers to a collection of valuables, you might infer that the minister somehow robbed the church. "Plundered" would make sense, except for the word "with" following the blank (one might "plunder with" a sword, but not with a chapel coffer); therefore "absconded" is the best option in this case.
Example Question #862 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
hypothesized
defended
denied
averred
prevaricated
averred
Example Question #863 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
invokes
infers
evinces
aggregates
implies
implies
Example Question #864 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
If he had the time, he preferred to __________ instead of taking the most direct route.
charge
burrow
lope
meander
flaunt
meander
The sentence says he does not take "the most direct route." This means he was going a winding way, which the correct answer should reflect. "Meander," meaning to wander around, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #865 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Although the president's speech was intended to calm the protest, it actually __________ the protester's anger.
compensated
ameliorated
relaxed
stoked
pacified
stoked
The construction of the sentence contrasts the missing word with the president's intent "to calm." This indicates the correct answer will be an antonym of calming. "Stoked," meaning fueled or enhanced, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #866 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Due to his simple nature, he was frequently __________ by underhanded schemes.
embossed
stoked
enhanced
doted
duped
duped
The sentence notes the subject had a "simple nature" which brought "underhanded schemes." This indicates the correct answer needs to show he was quite gullible. "Duped," meaning fooled or cheated, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #867 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Once the opposition asked for more conditions, the group __________ at negotiating any further.
balked
reenergized
quarried
stippled
quirked
balked
The "opposition" has "asked for more conditions" causing the group to do the missing word. The correct answer must indicate the group will no longer negotiate. "Balked," meaning prevented or backed off from, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #868 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The new prime minister wanted to __________ with the country's traditional enemy, in a break from the previous regime.
dissipate
conciliate
condescend
alienate
villify
conciliate
The "new prime minister" sought a "break from the previous regime." This means he wants to approach "the country's traditional enemy" differently. "Conciliate," meaning to bring together, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #581 : One Blank Texts
After being largely unheralded, her third novel __________ many different awards for the author.
garnered
rehected
recused
gamboled
mitigated
garnered
The sentence describes the author having "many different awards." This indicates the correct answer should mean to gather or collect, the definition of "garnered."
Example Question #582 : One Blank Texts
The new coach's first task was to __________ a dull and boring team.
enervate
hallow
further
vivify
dampen
vivify
The coach's task applies to "a dull and boring team." This indicates the coach must make them less "dull and boring." "Vivify," meaning to enliven and perk up, is the correct answer choice.
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