GRE Verbal : Parts of Speech in One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #1001 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Her knowledge of the woods proved __________ to finding a way out when the group got lost.

Possible Answers:

vital

inconsequential

injurious

detrimental

dormant

Correct answer:

vital

Explanation:

"Her knowledge of the woods" came into play "when the group got lost." As this knowledge found a way out, it proves it is important, which should be reflected in the correct answer. "Vital," meaning essential and important, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #1002 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Many scholars now say violence is __________ in humans, and did not develop through time.

Possible Answers:

rising

evolutionary

primordial

emerging

contemporary

Correct answer:

primordial

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts the missing word with the possibility violence "did not develop over time." This means the correct answer needs to mean violence was always present. "Primordial," meaning since the beginning of time, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #1003 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The bizarre rules of the cult required everyone to be _________ thanks to the leader's hatred of his deformed right hand.

Possible Answers:

acquiescent

obliqueness

orthodox

sinistral

mundane

Correct answer:

sinistral

Explanation:

The sentence gives one very large clue, by noting the leader has a "hatred of his deformed right hand." The correct answer will therefore indicate left-handedness, the exact definition of "sinistral."

Example Question #1004 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Although the story was proved to be __________, many people believed it anyway.

Possible Answers:

fabricated

wholesome

straightforward

congruent

fervent

Correct answer:

fabricated

Explanation:

The sentence says "many people believed" the story, even though it was the missing word. The correct answer needs to show that the story should not be believed. "Fabricated," meaning constructed or fake, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #1005 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The kids had to make sure their stories were __________ so their parents would not catch any differences.

Possible Answers:

duplicitous

discreet

congurent

patronizing

explicit

Correct answer:

congurent

Explanation:

The kids are trying to avoid having their parents "catch any differences" in their stories. This means the correct answer has to reflect an attempt to make the stories similar. "Congruent," meaning matching or in line with, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #1006 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The student's plea for a new class was so __________ that the principal was convinced to start it.

Possible Answers:

fervent

underwhelming

errant

pretentious

disjointed

Correct answer:

fervent

Explanation:

The principal was "convinced" because the "student's plea" has the missing word. The correct answer must indicate that the student had a quality that made the principal relent on the class. "Fervent," meaning passionate and deeply held, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #1001 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The agreement was __________ and a team of lawyers could do nothing to break it.

Possible Answers:

ironclad

underwhelming

forbearing

discreet

somatic

Correct answer:

ironclad

Explanation:

Since "a team of lawyers could do nothing to break it," the agreement must be quite firm. The correct answer must mean unable to be changed or unbreakable, the definition of "ironclad."

Example Question #1072 : Text Completion

The man was physically fine after his fall, but still had many __________ problems.

Possible Answers:

synaptic

musculature

cognitive

atavistic

brawn

Correct answer:

cognitive

Explanation:

The key to the sentence is that "the man was physically fine," but had other problems. This means the correct answer will indicate something not having to do with the body. "Cognitive," meaning having to do with thinking, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #1002 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The young woman was __________ in her religious beliefs, and nothing could shake them.

Possible Answers:

macerated

austere

limpid

slight

fervid

Correct answer:

fervid

Explanation:

"Nothing could shake" the young woman's "religious beliefs," which are described by the missing word. This means the correct answer must indicate how deep and powerful the beliefs are. "Fervid," meaning passionate or intense, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #1322 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The quarterback had a __________ gift for making the right decision that few other players possessed.

Possible Answers:

picayune

malignant

preternatural

dormant

colloquial

Correct answer:

preternatural

Explanation:

The sentence notes the gift described by the missing word is one "few other players possessed." This indicates the correct answer has to show something rare or unique. "Preternatural," meaning beyond the usual, is the best choice among the answers.

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