GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #981 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The young man, who was quite aware of his quick temper, used to joke that certain volatile situations were as as his mood.
meretricious
recalcitrant
mercurial
agitated
unknown
mercurial
The key phrase is the subordinate clause, "who was quite aware of his quick temper." The volatile situations are compared to this temper, which alters quickly. The most tempting wrong answers are "agitated" and "unknown." Either of these (particularly the latter) could indicate a changing mood that is volatile; however, "mercurial" is more directly related in meaning to such a characteristic of having a changing mood.
Example Question #982 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The grandson was left with no other option than adding the medicine to his grandmother’s pudding. If she had known about the treatment, she would have refused to take the medication.
underhandedly
surreptitiously
minutely
silently
unwittingly
surreptitiously
The second sentence gives the sense of the blank. The grandmother clearly does not want the medicine; therefore, she must not know about it. Although we might be tempted by "underhandedly," there is not reason to add such negative tones. "Silently" might be tempting because of the secrecy, but it is not the best option. The best answer would be "surreptitiously," which best captures the secrecy of the grandson's action, without adding any other meanings.
Example Question #983 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The girl was too _________________ for her own good, as her cleverness often got her in trouble with teachers.
personable
affable
perspicacious
nefarious
obsequious
perspicacious
The structure of the sentence effectively pairs the correct answer with "cleverness." The correct answer will therefore be a synonym of "cleverness" or wit. "Perspicacious," meaning insightful or sharp, is the best choice.
Example Question #984 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The pilot was alarmed by the development, as the self-destruct button was ___________.
irrevocable
torpid
itinerant
subversive
inconsequential
irrevocable
The "self-destruct button" and the pilot being alarmed indicate the seriousness of the situation. The correct answer will need to appropriately fit this context in the sentence. "Irrevocable," meaning unchangeable or unable to be cancelled, is the best fit among the choices.
Example Question #985 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The man was seen as so ______________, he could never truly be generous in the eyes of most people.
nebulous
nefarious
personable
perspicacious
obstreperous
nefarious
The contrasting of the missing word with "generous" indicates the correct answer will be a highly negative word. "Nefarious," meaning wicked or immoral, is the best choice.
Example Question #986 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The family friendly veneer of the show hid how ___________ its message truly was.
personable
affable
hoary
subversive
mundane
subversive
The sentence contrasts the "family friendly veneer of the show" with the missing word. The best fit will be a word indicating something not "family friendly." "Subversive," meaning undermining or rebellious, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #987 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The cheap man liked the restaurant because the bread and drink refills were ___________.
exorbitant
lavish
egregious
excessive
gratis
gratis
The key to the sentence is that the subject is a "cheap man." The correct answer choice will mean it suited the subject's cheapness. "Gratis," meaning free or without payment, is the correct answer.
Example Question #988 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
He began his career as a(n) _______________ teacher, moving between schools in three different small towns.
tenant
intemperate
egalitarian
irreproachable
itinerant
itinerant
The fact the teacher moved between town is the key to finding the answer. The correct answer will indicate the teacher's travels. "Itinerant," meaning nomadic or moving around, is the best fit among the answer choices.
Example Question #989 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The survey found the once isolated belief now to be __________________.
defunct
unheralded
pervasive
perspicacious
gratuitous
pervasive
The sentence contrasts the "once isolated" status of the belief with missing word. The correct answer will therefore mean ever present or widespread, which is the definition of "pervasive."
Example Question #990 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Audiences were always appreciative of the _______________ way the physicist summed up complex arguments.
bellicose
obscure
belabored
succinct
nebulous
succinct
The sentence contrasts the "complex arguments" with the way the physicist presents them. The correct answer will show the appreciated manner. "Succinct," meaning concise or short, is the best choice.
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