GRE Verbal : Nouns in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #185 : Text Completion
After the first day of the road trip, he decided to become the __________ of the group's travels in his journal.
paragon
chronicler
usurper
underminer
rancor
chronicler
The subject is putting down the "group's travels in his journal." This means he is recording the actions and circumstances of the group's trip, the description of the work of a "chronicler."
Example Question #121 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Suggested to be played at a brisk pace, the band instead played the song like a __________.
dirge
stanza
celebration
vignette
smorgasbord
dirge
The way the band played the song is at odds with the suggested "brisk pace." The correct answer will mean a slow or not as fast song. "Dirge," meaning a sad and mournful song, is the best choice.
Example Question #122 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
His essay on puddles contained surprising __________ for dealing with such a light subject.
vacuousness
levity
brevity
profundity
debility
profundity
The essay is on a "light subject," but has a "surprising" amount of the missing word. The correct answer must be an antonym of "light." "Profundity," meaning depth and insight, is the best choice.
Example Question #188 : Text Completion
Some psychologists believe teens' __________ is a put on, and that they care more deeply than they admit.
irascibility
masochism
altruism
apathy
fervor
apathy
The sentence explicitly contrasts that teens "care more deeply" with their "put on" of the missing word. The correct answer will mean the opposite of caring deeply. "Apathy," meaning disinterest or lack of emotion, is the best choice.
Example Question #189 : Text Completion
The __________ of a parent will spur a child to action, as a forbidden act is always more tempting to try.
solace
disapprobation
torpor
condoning
nonchalance
disapprobation
The sentence discusses a "forbidden act," in a parallel way to the missing word. The correct answer must therefore match this sense of being fordbidden. "Disapprobation," meaning disapproval or condemnation, is the best choice.
Example Question #190 : Text Completion
The __________ of their supporters was unmatched, and their chants drowned out everything else.
nonchalance
fervor
ambivalence
disinterest
apathy
fervor
Having chants that have "drowned out everything else" indicates the supporters were quite loud. The correct answer will tell why they were so vocal. "Fervor," meaning passion or enthusiasm, is the best fit.
Example Question #123 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
He viewed himself as a stern leader, but his troops thought he actually became a ridiculous __________.
mercenary
protégé
inebriate
martinet
parody
martinet
The troops disagree with the subject's view of himself only in degree. If he sees himself as stern, his troops think he seriousness goes too far. "Martinet," meaning a person too attached to rules and discipline, is the correct answer.
Example Question #124 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The film's jokes were so on target that many viewers were unaware it was a __________.
circumvention
decoy
vignette
parody
paragon
parody
The sentence says two things about the film: it had a number of jokes and it was the missing word. The correct answer must therefore be something to do with jokes or comedy. "Parody," meaning a spoof or mocking imitation, is the best choice.
Example Question #125 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
After the main battle, two retreating columns quickly collided in a __________, but with few consequences.
skirmish
juxtaposition
nonentity
subversion
recapitulation
skirmish
The "two retreating columns" collided "after the main battle." This means their encounter was not a serious one, which is why it had "few consequences." "Skirmish," meaning a minor battle or clash, is the correct answer.
Example Question #126 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Many communities were planned as __________, but reality revealed their imperfect nature.
utopias
paramours
parishes
metaphors
tomes
utopias
If reality shows the "imperfect nature" of the communities, then it can be inferred they were planned with different intentions. The correct answer should mean perfect societies or ideal worlds, the definition of "utopias."
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