GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #571 : One Blank Texts

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.

Possible Answers:

abandoned

atrophied

blasphemed

plundered

absconded

Correct answer:

absconded

Explanation:

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 #572 : One Blank Texts

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

The witness __________ that he saw the alleged spy leaving the foreign consulate, much to the accused man's chagrin.

 

Possible Answers:

averred

hypothesized

defended

denied

prevaricated

Correct answer:

averred

Explanation:
Notice that the spy's reaction to the witness's action is "chagrin," a word meaning rueful displeasure. An alleged spy might reasonably be assumed to look guiltier if he were seen leaving a foreign consulate. So, within the context of this sentence, it follows that what would most likely upset the accused would be the witness "averring" (verifying) this testimony.

 

Example Question #573 : One Blank Texts

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

The correlation between the increased rates of heart disease in the population and the corresponding rise in type II diabetes __________ a possible link.

 

Possible Answers:

evinces

infers

aggregates

implies

invokes

Correct answer:

implies

Explanation:
Since there is a positive correlation between heart disease and type II diabetes in this example, this correlation would suggest that there may be a link between them. "Evinces," which means "proves," would be too strong a word to describe this possibility. The best choice of these options is "Implies," meaning "suggests indirectly." Remember not to confuse imply with infer!

 

Example Question #574 : One Blank Texts

If he had the time, he preferred to __________ instead of taking the most direct route.

Possible Answers:

meander

burrow

charge

flaunt

lope

Correct answer:

meander

Explanation:

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 #575 : One Blank Texts

Although the president's speech was intended to calm the protest, it actually __________ the protester's anger.

Possible Answers:

ameliorated

stoked

compensated

pacified

relaxed

Correct answer:

stoked

Explanation:

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 #576 : One Blank Texts

Due to his simple nature, he was frequently __________ by underhanded schemes.

Possible Answers:

doted

duped

enhanced

stoked

embossed

Correct answer:

duped

Explanation:

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 #577 : One Blank Texts

Once the opposition asked for more conditions, the group __________ at negotiating any further.

Possible Answers:

reenergized

quirked

balked

stippled

quarried

Correct answer:

balked

Explanation:

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 #578 : One Blank Texts

The new prime minister wanted to __________ with the country's traditional enemy, in a break from the previous regime.

Possible Answers:

condescend

villify

dissipate

alienate

conciliate

Correct answer:

conciliate

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

mitigated

rehected

gamboled

recused

garnered

Correct answer:

garnered

Explanation:

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 #621 : Text Completion

The new coach's first task was to __________ a dull and boring team.

Possible Answers:

vivify

hallow

further

dampen

enervate

Correct answer:

vivify

Explanation:

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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