All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #251 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The __________ on the glass gave the boy's hand a large cut.
equivocation
evisceration
calibration
mastication
serration
serration
The boy in the sentence received a "large cut" due to the missing word being on the glass. This means the correct answer will indicate something sharp and able to cut a hand. "Serration," meaning a jagged edge, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #252 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The poor test score was a complete __________ for the straight-A student.
coda
pith
aberration
veneration
palpitation
aberration
The sentence notes the "straight A student" got a "poor test score." The correct answer must therefore indicate the fact this score was unexpected. "Aberration," meaning a deviation from the normal, is the best choice among the answer.
Example Question #253 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The gunslinger attempted to put up a brave __________, but his posse knew he was actually quite scared.
archetype
analogue
quibble
facade
receptacle
facade
The sentence contrasts the fact the "posse" knew he was "quite scared," with the "brave" missing word. The correct answer must indicate an appearance or look of bravery. "Facade," meaning the front facing of a building, here used metaphorically, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #254 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
In the face of further government crackdowns, the different groups now formed a _________ of opposition to the regime.
morbid
monogamous
cacophony
monolith
dilettante
monolith
The sentence notes that "different groups" came together against the government. The correct answer needs to indicate a unification. "Monolith," meaning a united force or singular front, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #255 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Many hopeful members of the political party believed this campaign was an __________ to earlier successes.
equivocation
archetype
exigent
analogue
atavism
analogue
The "hopeful members of the political party" are seeing earlier successes in this new campaign. This means the correct answer will show they see the earlier campaigns are a model. "Analogue," meaning something similar or a corresponding happenstance, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #256 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The coach's brief return from retirement served as a __________ to his distinguished career.
stanch
sap
coda
comma
sully
coda
The sentence notes the coach has made a "return from retirement," which is necessarily at the end of his "distinguished career." The correct answer will indicate an extra part of his career. "Coda," meaning the last part of a musical work, and used generally to mean a finale, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #281 : One Blank Texts
Many elementary school teachers find a good portion of their day is spent as __________ between children who are fighting.
instigators
disruptors
ringleaders
arbitrators
muses
arbitrators
The sentence describes teachers being placed between "children who are fighting." Since they are teachers, it is safe to assume they are attempting to stop the fights. "Arbitrators," meaning a mediator or the judge of a dispute, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #282 : One Blank Texts
The __________ of terrorist groups throughout the country had law enforcement highly concerned.
veneration
sublimation
enervation
proliferation
evisceration
proliferation
The sentence notes two key facts, that the groups are "throughout the country" and that they have made "law enforcement highly concerned." The correct answer needs to indicate that the "terrorist groups" are spreading and disseminating, the definition of "proliferation."
Example Question #283 : One Blank Texts
The __________ of the plan was in doubt due to its similarity to previously failed approaches.
technique
irreducibility
serenity
scheme
efficacy
efficacy
The plan resembles "previously failed approaches," which makes people question the aspect described by the missing word. The correct answer needs to describe the plan's ability or function. "Efficacy," meaning effectiveness or usefulness, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #284 : One Blank Texts
The singer was accused of using a derogatory __________ to refer to her assistant.
aberration
panegyric
facade
epithet
coda
epithet
There are two great clues to the best answer in the sentence: "derogatory" and "to refer to her assistant." The missing word describes a term that can refer to someone in a derogatory manner. "Epithet," meaning an appellation or a shothand byword, is the best choice among the answers.