GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #692 : One Blank Texts
The young man, who was quite aware of his quick temper, used to joke that certain volatile situations were as as his mood.
unknown
mercurial
agitated
meretricious
recalcitrant
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 #693 : One Blank Texts
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.
surreptitiously
minutely
unwittingly
underhandedly
silently
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 #694 : One Blank Texts
The girl was too _________________ for her own good, as her cleverness often got her in trouble with teachers.
obsequious
nefarious
affable
perspicacious
personable
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 #695 : One Blank Texts
The pilot was alarmed by the development, as the self-destruct button was ___________.
subversive
irrevocable
torpid
inconsequential
itinerant
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 #696 : One Blank Texts
The man was seen as so ______________, he could never truly be generous in the eyes of most people.
obstreperous
personable
perspicacious
nebulous
nefarious
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 #697 : One Blank Texts
The family friendly veneer of the show hid how ___________ its message truly was.
hoary
subversive
personable
mundane
affable
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 #698 : One Blank Texts
The cheap man liked the restaurant because the bread and drink refills were ___________.
egregious
lavish
gratis
excessive
exorbitant
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 #699 : One Blank Texts
He began his career as a(n) _______________ teacher, moving between schools in three different small towns.
itinerant
tenant
egalitarian
intemperate
irreproachable
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 #741 : Text Completion
The survey found the once isolated belief now to be __________________.
perspicacious
pervasive
unheralded
gratuitous
defunct
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 #702 : One Blank Texts
Audiences were always appreciative of the _______________ way the physicist summed up complex arguments.
bellicose
succinct
belabored
nebulous
obscure
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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