GRE Verbal : Nouns in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #231 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
While the student body president believed he was using stirring rhetoric, the teachers saw his speech as __________.
drivel
oratory
sensible
rational
uncompromising
drivel
The sentence contrasts the student's own view of his speech as "stirring rhetoric" with the teacher's viewpoint described by the missing word. The correct answer must in some way be an opposite to "stirring rhetoric." "Drivel," meaning nonsense or useless words, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #232 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The __________ of the politician's views continued no matter how many clarifying statements he made on the issues.
archetype
virulence
insurgency
instransigence
misrepresentation
misrepresentation
While some answer choices could make sense, only one will fit perfectly. The sentence describes the many "clarifying statements" the politician had to make, which means the perspective of his views is wrong or misguided. "Misrepresentation," meaning a deliberately deceiving description, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #233 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The day ended with no real __________, as the detective had not yet figured out who the culript was after following multiple leads.
denouement
inauguration
inception
onset
denouement
"Denouement" is a resolution, outcome, or solution.
Example Question #234 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The blue-collar worker abhored the rich; that is, until he won the lottery and moved to the Hamptons and lived among his fellow __________.
vagabonds
hobos
transients
sybarites
sybarites
A "sybarite" is a person who leads a life of luxury; a hedonist.
Example Question #235 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The divorce lawyer was adept at diffusing __________ between warring couples.
agreements
compromises
reconciliations
imbroglios
imbroglios
An "imbroglio" is a bitter disagreement or entanglement.
Example Question #297 : Text Completion
Being a physics __________, Mary was having difficulty understanding vectors.
wunderkind
neophyte
prodigy
virtuoso
neophyte
A "neophyte" is someone who is a novice or a beginner.
Example Question #301 : Text Completion
In a rally, the far right politician let loose an intense __________ against his left wing opponents and their allies.
recitation
refutation
diatribe
dialectic
approbation
diatribe
There are two clues in the sentence that help pinpoint the best answer, the fact the missing word is described as "intense," and that a "right wing politician" was discussing "left wing opponents." This indicates the subject's speech was angry or critical. "Diatribe," meaning a violent denunciation or tirade, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #302 : Text Completion
Supporters of term limits for the legislature argue that incumbents who get voted in for ages will create a virtual __________.
sanctuary
orthodoxy
gerontocracy
refuge
meritocracy
gerontocracy
The sentence discusses a problem that could arise from a lack of term limits, meaning "meritocracy," "sanctuary," and "refuge" can be struck out because of their positive connotation. "Orthodoxy," meaning rigid adherence to tradition, does not work in the sentence very smoothly. "Gerontocracy," meaning a government ruled by the elderly, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #303 : Text Completion
The student group approached their protest with the utmost seriousness, the event came off more like a __________.
homily
burlesque
utopia
eulogy
paradise
burlesque
The sentence contrasts the missing word with the students' intention of "utmost seriousness." This means the correct answer needs to indicate a goofy or even ridiculous event. "Burlesque," meaning a lampoon or comedic show, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #304 : Text Completion
After years of service and many awards, she retired as the __________ of a modern general.
iconoclast
exemplar
pastiche
lampoon
parody
exemplar
The sentence describes the subject's "years of service and many awards." The correct answer will indicate the way the subject was a very good "major general." "Exemplar," meaning the perfect model or archetype, is the best choice among the answers.
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