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 #249 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Boniface’s errors did not deserve the punishment of utter ________________ that was thrust onto him by the ________________ and unpitying jury.

Possible Answers:

perdition . . . ruthless

incarceration . . . seething

penalization . . . livid

retribution . . . thronging

retaliation . . . irrational

Correct answer:

perdition . . . ruthless

Explanation:

The first blank should describe some kind of very horrible penalization—some kind of utter condemnation. The word "perdition" comes from the religious idea of being condemned for all eternity to hell. Though it is a bit overstated, it does capture the sense that this sentence is attempting to convey. Apparently Boniface's jury condemned him in this kind of absolute manner.

Now, as regards the jury, we really only know that they are unpitying. There may be other character traits for them, but we cannot say anything about those based on the clues provided here. Hence, the best option is the synonym for "unpitying," namely, "ruthless."

Example Question #1759 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

As Albert looked at the _________________ river, winding its way through the mountains, the feeling of ______________ swelled in his breast as he thought of the many hardships that had been faced by his ancestors—all so that his family could have a homestead!

Possible Answers:

riotous . . . deliberation

feral . . . contemplation

sinuous . . . reverence

tempestuous . . . disbelief

craggy . . . cogitation

Correct answer:

sinuous . . . reverence

Explanation:

For the first blank, do not assume anything beyond the clues provided in the sentence. The river is only described as "winding through the mountains." We really do not know if it was wild or dangerous. Thus, the word "sinuous" is the best option. This word means bending or full of curves. Think of a sine wave from trigonometry—a continuously bending curve!

As for the second blank, it seems that Albert has a feeling of great respect for his ancestors. The closing interjection enforces this sense of appreciation. Otherwise, it would be tempting to read this second blank as expressing marvel. There is marvel involved in his reaction; however, the sense of appreciation should also be expressed in your choice of an answer. Hence, "reverence" is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #1760 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The company was actually never _________________, so the owner always feared the potential _________________ of his creditors, who could have wholly impoverished him at any moment.

Possible Answers:

lucrative . . . ire

solvent . . . advent

thriving . . . awareness

expansive . . . recognition

prosperous . . . wrath

Correct answer:

solvent . . . advent

Explanation:

The first blank needs to express the idea that the business never had enough money to pay back its creditors. Now, a number of the options describe businesses that are not very profitable. Even if a company is not greatly thriving, it may at least be "in the black"—that is, able to pay back its debts. If a company is "not solvent," it does not have the ability to pay back all of its debts. This is why the word "solvent" is better than the other options for the first blank.

As regards the second blank, the owner likely feared the arrival of his creditors, at least in the sense that they would "come" for the money. They could be aware of the debts and not actually request for them to be paid back. Once they came for the money, there would be trouble for the business owner. The word "advent" means arrival or coming. It comes from the Latin advenire, which is the source of the Christian season of Advent. "Advent" is the period just before Christmas. It is meant to prepare for the birth (i.e. the arrival) of Jesus of Nazareth.

Example Question #251 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The singer's much ______________ new album, Antimatter, was released unexpectedly yesterday after a long wait, causing a massive amount _________________ in her many fans who were eagerly waiting for the album.

Possible Answers:

maligned . . . heroism 

crafty . . . platitude

anticipated . . . excitement 

dastardly . . . night

harmful . . . chagrin

Correct answer:

anticipated . . . excitement 

Explanation:

"Anticipated" works because the following phrase describes the long wait for the album. "Excitement" also makes sense because the singer's fans were waiting for the album.

Example Question #252 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The _____________ decisions made by the coach, made very hastily and with no regard for the opinions of the team, _____________ many of the players, who felt indignant about their treatment.

Possible Answers:

impetuous . . . angered

lackadaisical . . . shuttered

foreign . . . praised

patient . . . helped

nightly . . . shocked

Correct answer:

impetuous . . . angered

Explanation:

"Impetuous", meaning one in a rushed manner, describes the decisions of the coach that were made quickly. "Angered" makes sense because it describes the indignant players, and their reactions at not being included.

Example Question #253 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The building itself may have been __________, but the food was __________ in their mouths.

Possible Answers:

dilapidated . . . abominable

immaculate . . . transcendent

disreputable . . . ambrosia

ramshackle . . . detestable

pristine . . . divine

Correct answer:

disreputable . . . ambrosia

Explanation:

The word “but” indicates a sentence shift, meaning that the words in the blanks will carry contrasting connotations. Something “disreputable” lacks respect because it looks bad. As far as Greek gods are concerned, “ambrosia” is simply food. For us mortals, it is something that tastes or smells divine. “Disreputable . . . ambrosia” is the correct answer.

Example Question #254 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.

They had wanted to enjoy all of the __________ of the hotel, but unfortunately their __________ stay came to an end early the next morning.

Possible Answers:

superfluities . . . latent

aspersions . . . transitory

amenities . . . ephemeral

banes . . . fugacious

facilities . . . deferred

Correct answer:

amenities . . . ephemeral

Explanation:

The fact that they couldn’t enjoy all of something and they had to leave early the next morning both provide clues about what choices could most aptly fit the second blank. “Amenities” are features that make life more comfortable or pleasurable. “Ephemeral” means something is fleeting or lasts only a short time. “Amenities . . . ephemeral” is the correct answer.

Example Question #255 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Jenessa appreciated the apparent _____________ of the new hire; the last worker had been much too ______________ to work on a team that prized flexibility.

Possible Answers:

bluster . . . cowardly

creativity . . . tractable

malleability . . . intransigent

cynicism . . . tenacious

propensity . . . controversial

Correct answer:

malleability . . . intransigent

Explanation:

The two blanks are expressing opposite ideas (though the first is a noun and the second is an adjective). "Flexibility" is the key contextual clue. "Malleability" is a good synonym for "flexibility," while "intransigent" is an antonym.   

Example Question #256 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The child's joyful, __________________ touched everyone; it was hard to remain ____________________ with the mellifluous sound of youthful laughter filling the air. 

Possible Answers:

expression . . . halcyon

eloquence . . . didactic 

ebullience . . . morose

elegy . . . hopeful

harangue . . . truculent

Correct answer:

ebullience . . . morose

Explanation:

We are looking for two opposite ideas (a noun and an adjective) - "ebullience" and "morose" are the best fit, as "ebullience" describes "joyful" things, making it hard to stay "morose" or sad in affect.

Example Question #257 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Rhonda felt her cheeks grow __________ as smiling coworkers glanced her way; her boss had extolled her work privately, but she hadn’t expected a formal __________ in front of the whole office.

Possible Answers:

ruddy . . . diatribe

florid . . . encomium 

flushed . . . euphemism

fatuous . . . approbation

redolent . . . appreciation 

Correct answer:

florid . . . encomium 

Explanation:

The clues "smiling coworker" and "extol" (praise) tell us that Rhonda did something positive worthy of praise, which resulted in an "encomium" (formal speech of praise). We can infer that her cheeks grew red ("florid") from this attention.

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