GRE Verbal : Nouns in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #81 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The faculty senate had to submit their new rules to a ___________________ of the school's entire staff for ratification.
recapitulation
jargon
recusal
jurisprudence
referendum
referendum
The senate's "new rules" are put before "the school's entire staff for ratification." This means the staff must give some official blessing on the rules. "Referendum," meaning a public vote, is the correct answer.
Example Question #82 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Despite a great deal of research, the question of black holes still presents a ____________ for scientists.
contusion
conundrum
bulwark
sacrosanct
subterfuge
conundrum
We see here that "black holes" are not understood, "despite a great deal of research." This means the correct answer will indicate that black holes are still an issue. "Conundrum," meaning a puzzle or challenge, is the best choice.
Example Question #83 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The aging band had their last hit years ago, and was now trading on ________________ to sell tickets.
jargon
nostalgia
ambivalence
benignity
notoriety
nostalgia
The sentence outright states the band's "last hit" was "years ago." The correct answer will indicate it was their past success that is now selling tickets. "Nostalgia," meaning a longing for the past, is the best fit.
Example Question #84 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The boy's defiance of his teacher gained him _______________ among his peers, despite the punishment he received.
notoriety
ambivalence
petulance
munificence
reticence
notoriety
The "defiance" was looked at by his peers in a light described by the missing word. The correct answer will mean fame or respect of some kind. "Notoriety," meaning infamy or widespread acclaim for wrongdoing, is the correct answer.
Example Question #149 : Text Completion
Although he started the job enthusiastically, his _________________ waned the longer he worked there.
transgression
rigor
cynicism
torpor
zeal
zeal
The sentence directly connects the missing word with "enthusiastically." The correct answer needs to be a synonym of "enthusiasm." "Zeal," meaning eagerness and desire, is the best fit.
Example Question #85 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The new employee was a terrible ________________, and sought to curry favor with his boss in any way.
connoisseur
sycophant
cynic
hypocrite
philanthropist
sycophant
The phrase "curry favor" provides the best clue to the answer. By trying to appeal to his boss "in any way," the new employee is being a "sycophant," a flatterer and kiss up.
Example Question #151 : Text Completion
The initial plan sought to use a small force as a ________________ that would distract from the real invasion.
decoy
paragon
goad
legion
conundrum
decoy
The use of "a small force" away "from the real invasion" means the correct answer needs to indicate a trick of some kind. "Decoy," meaning a fake used as a trap, is the best choice.
Example Question #86 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
She was an impressive runner, but did not possess the _______________ to compete at longer distances.
endurance
petulance
nonchalance
remorse
brevity
endurance
The key phrase in the sentence is "at longer distances." Since the subject cannot compete in those, the correct answer needs to indicate the ability to run those distances. "Endurance, meaning staying power or stamina, is the best choice.
Example Question #87 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The boy quickly became a ____________ for the cause, refusing to associate with any ideological opponents.
moderate
zealot
pragmatist
portent
sycophant
zealot
"Refusing to associate" with opponents indicates the boy was fiercely devoted to his cause, and the correct answer will indicate such a devoted person. "Zealot," meaning a fanatic or extreme partisan, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #88 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The commander was lauded as the ________________ of a naval officer that all subordinates should look to emulate.
alibi
pedant
philistine
placebo
archetype
archetype
The commander is who "subordinates should look to emulate," indicating he is a model for others. "Archetype," meaning a classic example or perfect form of something, is the correct answer.
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