GRE Verbal : Nouns in One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #91 : Text Completion

The suspect was accused of plotting to steal millions from his company until his ____________ was discovered.

Possible Answers:

subterfuge

equivocation

negligence

torpor

obeisance

Correct answer:

subterfuge

Explanation:

The suspect is accused of plotting a serious crime. The answer, what was discovered, will indicate the level of deception involved in the crime. "Subterfuge," meaning a trick or deception, is the correct answer.

Example Question #92 : Text Completion

The Duke's notion of ______________ only spread to the upper classes, and he still viewed the lower classes as suspect.

Possible Answers:

egalitarianism

affability

superiority

elitism

obeisance

Correct answer:

egalitarianism

Explanation:

The Duke continues to look down on "lower classes," which is contrasted with the correct answer. The best choice will then mean a belief in equality, which is the definition of "egalitarianism."

Example Question #93 : Text Completion

He had been conducting wine tasting so long, he considered himself a _____________.

Possible Answers:

paragon

neophyte

connoisseur

hypochondria

mutineer

Correct answer:

connoisseur

Explanation:

The phrase "conducting wine tastings so long," indicates he considered himself some kind of expert, and the correct answer should reflect that. "Connoisseur," meaning someone with refined taste and judgement, is the best fit in the sentence.

Example Question #34 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

Smaragdus of St. Mihiel studied the Rule of St. Benedict like an early medieval grammarian. Many of his interpretations were based on the                     of the expressions used, although his sources of linguistic derivations were more than slightly incorrect.

Possible Answers:

etymologies

meanings

histories

structures

declensions

Correct answer:

etymologies

Explanation:

The best clue words in this example are "grammarian" and "linguistic history." The latter makes "histories" unlikely, if only because of the repetition that this would impose. It is perhaps tempting to use "meanings," as a grammarian would pay heed to meanings in explication—just as he would pay heed to the declensions and inflections of words;  however, if we are considering linguistic history (even if flawed), we are above all concerned with etymology, which studies (or at least purports to study) the history of words and the meanings that can be gleaned from such history.

Example Question #35 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

It sometimes takes the most skill in grammar to commit a true                 .  Many people err in such matters, but only an expert can utterly distort the rules of language.

Possible Answers:

solecism

harangue

mistake

faux pas

error

Correct answer:

solecism

Explanation:

The key word is in the second sentence is "err." It might be tempting for that reason to consider "error" or "mistake," but we are provided a specific type of error, namely a grammatical one: "solecism" matches the intended meaning most closely.

Example Question #31 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Robert was a trained swordsman, able to fight with great                 . To watch him at battle was as beautiful as watching a trained ballet dancer in motion.

Possible Answers:

gusto

finesse

strength

ability

celerity

Correct answer:

finesse

Explanation:

The first sentence leaves our meaning so general that any of the terms might fit (though the case for "gusto" is particularly weak). The second sentence gives us a much better limiting factor, namely, the beauty of his form as a swordsman. In this case, we are more concerned with form than brute strength or anything similar; therefore, while perhaps "celerity" or "ability" might distantly apply, "finesse" captures the ballet-like beauty most directly.

Example Question #36 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The man was paranoid about fires, and always noticed the closest _____________ he could find anywhere he was.

Possible Answers:

egress

paragon

gratis

portent

receptacle

Correct answer:

egress

Explanation:

The man's paranoia about fires means he would find a way to deal with a fire everywhere.  The correct answer will describe a method to handle a fire. "Egress," meaning an exit, is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #37 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The media quickly developed a _____________ on the case, and all news outlets began reporting the same story.

Possible Answers:

consensus

recantation

splintering

substantiation

bulwark

Correct answer:

consensus

Explanation:

The sentence outright states the media outlets were "reporting the same story."  The correct answer will indicate the media was telling the same story.  "Consensus," meaning a general or widespread agreement, is the best fit.

Example Question #63 : One Blank Texts

The man was such a slob, his car's backseat had become a _________________ for all kinds of trash.

Possible Answers:

portent

neologism

receptacle

hiatus

polemic

Correct answer:

receptacle

Explanation:

The trash had essentially found a permanent home in the man's backseat, and the correct answer will indicate that. "Receptacle," meaning container or vessel, is the best answer choice.

Example Question #64 : One Blank Texts

The award was given for his work as a ________________, and recognized his fight for voting rights.

Possible Answers:

supplicant

buccaneer

autocrat

adversary

suffragist

Correct answer:

suffragist

Explanation:

The sentence itself says the award winner had a "fight for voting rights." A "suffragist" is someone who fights for the right to vote, and it is the correct answer.

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