GRE Verbal : Nouns and Adjectives or Adverbs in Two-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #261 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Though Freddy was usually quite _________________, never daring to question the boss, he finally worked up the ______________ to talk to her about the unfair overtime policy.
timorous . . . pluck
perspicacious . . . ennui
transitory . . . energy
intrepid . . . anger
solicitous . . . lethargy
timorous . . . pluck
The clue for the first blank is "never daring to question the boss." We're looking for something like timid or scared. "Timorous" is a good fit. The word "though" at the beginning of the sentence suggests there will be a shift in meaning; therefore, Freddy works up something like "courage" (or pluck) to talk to the boss.
Example Question #1531 : Text Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Gina had not expected the discussion about charter schools to be so __________________; in retrospect, she should have known that anything that appeared to question the _________________ of the powerful public education lobby would be controversial.
argumentative . . . celerity
anticlimactic . . . control
polemical . . . hegemony
tiresome . . . austerity
dissonant . . . chicanery
polemical . . . hegemony
For the first blank, we're looking for a synonym of "controversial" or polemical. The second blank is a little trickier. We need something that reflects the power of the education lobby, and that is not normally questioned. "Hegemony" means authority, power, dominance, etc., and is the best fit here.
Example Question #1532 : Text Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Harold glared at the __________________ peas with disgust. His babysitter might have thought that withholding dessert would ensure his complaisance in eating the despised vegetable, but she had not counted on the little boy's ____________________; he would not give in any time soon.
spurious . . . intractability
malevolent . . . platitude
innocuous . . . transience
revolting . . . malleability
odious . . . intransigence
odious . . . intransigence
The peas are viewed "with disgust" and described as "despised." Harold hates them, or finds them "odious." For the second blank, we need something meaning not complaisant (obedient) and "not giving in any time soon." "Intransigence" means stubbornness or refusing to compromise, so this is a good fit.
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