All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #101 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The old classicist had become a __________ in his old age, having collected many types of ancient currency at archaeological digs, in the course of his long career.
curator
philanderer
numismatist
bore
spendthrift
numismatist
The clear choice can be made only by vocabulary knowledge. Otherwise, this question may lead you to choose any of the other answers. The word "numismatic" means relating to currency, and has a long etymology. Deep beneath the surface of the word is the Greek "nomos," which means custom, usage, or law. This last—law—we see in a word like "autonomy," meaning self ("auto-") rule.
This is related to "numismatics," because in many ways the value of currency is customary (or at least based upon many things that are not of intrinsic value). As Aristotle observed in the Politics, "Others maintain that coined money is a mere sham, a thing not natural, but conventional only, because, if the users substitute another commodity for it, it is worthless, and because it is not useful as a means to any of the necessities of life, and, indeed, he who is rich in coin may often be in want of necessary food."
Example Question #102 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
It is hard to attain __________ even among two people, but this collection of men is particularly divided in their opinions and will never be capable of such perfect agreement.
accord
unanimity
termination
friendship
agreement
unanimity
The key phrase is "perfect agreement." Recognizing this, you can quickly ascertain the correct answer, if you know the meaning of unanimity—complete agreement in a group. It comes from the Latin roots "unus" (one; see "unity," "uniform," "unit," etc.) and "animus" (soul or mind; see "animated," "magnanimous").
Example Question #167 : Text Completion
The company required new marketing to reach a younger _________________.
precinct
clientele
vignette
province
refuse
clientele
The "new marketing" is reaching out to new groups—in this particular case a younger one. The correct answer needs to mean customer base, the definition of "clientele."
Example Question #103 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The ________________ between the groups showed up everywhere—from different test scores to divergent career paths.
spontaneity
commonality
gravity
contemporaneity
disparity
disparity
The key words in the sentence are "different" and "divergent." The correct answer needs to underscore the difference between the groups. "Disparity," meaning an inequality, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #104 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Although he viewed himself as an inspirational leader, his employees viewed their boss as an insufferable ______________.
pedant
iconoclast
mercenary
belligerent
bon vivant
pedant
The sentence contrasts how the employees view their boss with how he views himself, (as "inspirational"). The correct answer will indicate that his employees find him uninspiring and dull. "Pedant," meaning someone who overly explains simple concepts, is the best choice.
Example Question #105 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
He was reprimanded for violating ________________ after he ignored regulations to complete the mission.
aesthetics
protocol
forensics
placebo
convention
protocol
The sentence outright states the subject "ignored regulations." This means he was "reprimanded for violating" something related to "regulations." "Protocol," meaning an official procedure or code of behavior, is the correct answer.
Example Question #106 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The Lieutenant was considered a strange choice to lead, as most officers thought he lacked the __________ to see out the mission.
levity
ordination
disinterest
fortitude
nostalgia
fortitude
The Lieutenant must "see out the mission," and the missing word indicates the ability to do that. "Fortitude," meaning strength and bravery, is the correct answer.
Example Question #107 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The investigation revealed the group's chief method of __________ was to threaten violence against family members.
negotiation
innovation
deliberation
veneration
coercion
coercion
The threat of violence indicates the group was using force as their chief tool. The correct answer needs to mean persuade through violence or force, the definition of "coercion."
Example Question #108 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
There is a long history of __________ being appropriated by those whom they were once used against.
pejoratives
portents
rebuttals
vignettes
placebos
pejoratives
The phrase "once used againt" indicates the missing word is hurtful. The correct answer needs to mean essentially insults. "Pejoratives," meaning derogatory or negative statements, is the best choice.
Example Question #109 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The training exercise was specifically designed to judge the __________ of the new soldiers in dangerous conditions.
gratuity
ambivalence
notoriety
mettle
pusillanimity
mettle
The exercise judges soldiers "in dangerous conditions." The correct answer will therefore indicate the soldiers' bravery or courage, which is the definition of "mettle."