GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #581 : One Blank Texts

In order to distance herself from the extreme views of members of her party, the politician __________ the recent speech by the party leader.

Possible Answers:

reviled

acquiesced

stagnated

disavowed

endorsed

Correct answer:

disavowed

Explanation:

The politician's purpose is to distance herself from the party with her response to the speech. To "disavow" the speech most clearly accomplishes that purpose.

Example Question #582 : One Blank Texts

Once his wife passed away, he began to __________ the times he could not spend with her.

Possible Answers:

sate

rue

caulk

assay

gale

Correct answer:

rue

Explanation:

The sentence discusses a man that "could not spend time" with a wife who "passed away," leading to the missing word. The correct answer needs to indicate a desire to have spent time with her. "Rue," meaning regret or sorrow, is the best choice.

Example Question #583 : One Blank Texts

The new law mandated a severe __________ of resources to the controversial group, thanks to public outrage.

Possible Answers:

patronizing

stinting

jibing

aversion

dallying

Correct answer:

stinting

Explanation:

The "resources" had been going "to the controversial group," which caused "public outrage." This indicates the correct answer will show the resources being diminished. "Stinting," meaning holding back or limiting, is the best choice.

Example Question #584 : One Blank Texts

The mud and sticks were a desperate attempt to __________ the leak in the dam, but proved largely futile.

Possible Answers:

waft

decimate

mince

caulk

hack

Correct answer:

caulk

Explanation:

"The mud and sticks" are placed inside a dam because of a leak, and the fact they "proved largely futile" does not change their purpose. The correct answer should mean to block or seal, which is the definition of "caulk."

Example Question #585 : One Blank Texts

To prevent dissent, the authoritarian government sought to __________ radical thinkers in prison camps.

Possible Answers:

quarantine

patronize

instigate

disseminate

deride

Correct answer:

quarantine

Explanation:

The "authoritarian government" is moving "radical thinkers" to separate camps "to prevent dissent." This indicates that the radical thinksers are being isolated away from others, which is the definition of "quarantine," the correct answer choice.

Example Question #561 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Every time he saw his former girlfriend he attempted to __________ their past romance.

Possible Answers:

quash

obfuscate

rekindle

macerate

caulk

Correct answer:

rekindle

Explanation:

The subject is working on bringing "romance" with a "former girlfriend." The correct answer needs to reflect the fact it is a "former" relationship and that the subject makes an effort. "Rekindle," meaning to revive or start up again, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #587 : One Blank Texts

The dictator needed to __________ the details of the rebel's protests so he could effectively stop it from happening.

Possible Answers:

reconnoiter

purify

temper

personify

assuage

Correct answer:

reconnoiter

Explanation:

The sentence notes the missing word will give "details" so that the dictator could stop the protest. The correct answer will indicate the dictator is attempting to find information. "Reconnoiter," meaning to survey or research, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #588 : One Blank Texts

The outrageous claim made the usually calm teacher __________ throughout the entire class.

Possible Answers:

dissemble

pacify

disseminate

obfuscate

fulminate

Correct answer:

fulminate

Explanation:

The sentence notes the teacher is "usually calm," but did the missing word anyway. This indicates the correct answer has to mean the teacher was loudly denouncing and attacking the story, which is the definition of "fulminate."

Example Question #591 : One Blank Texts

The young boy __________ on his way home, as he did not want to face his parents.

Possible Answers:

sullied

hastened

sprinted

hustled

dallied

Correct answer:

dallied

Explanation:

The sentence notes the "young boy" "did not want to face his parents." The correct answer needs to reflect his unwillingness to see his parents. "Dallied," meaning wasted time or hesitated, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #592 : One Blank Texts

Her answers rarely __________ with the facts of the case, increasing the police's suspicion.

Possible Answers:

sated

doted

disputed

jibed

stinted

Correct answer:

jibed

Explanation:

The subjects's statements are "increasing the police's suspension," meaning their relationship with the facts are not straightforward. The correct answer will indicate that the answers are not directly aligned with the facts. "Jibed," meaning lined up or matched, is the best choice among the answers.

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