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 #1323 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The young boy cut a __________ figure, even though he came from an out-of-shape family.
sinewy
quibbling
lugubrious
perfidious
foolhardy
sinewy
The sentence contrasts the missing word with the family's being "out of shape." The correct answer has to indicate fitness or strength. "Sinewy," meaning lean and muscular, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1324 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The man told a __________ joke that was too subtle to be appreciated by his audience.
mundane
riotous
wry
pedantic
ferrous
wry
The joke was "too subtle" for the subject's audience, a description that also helps find the missing word. The correct answer will mean dry or sardonic, the very definition of "wry."
Example Question #1011 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The trip was more __________ than initially thought, and took twice as long as scheduled.
easygoing
profligate
quaint
pithy
arduous
arduous
The trip "took twice as long as scheduled," indicating it was not as easy as originally thought. The correct answer will indicate this trouble. "Arduous," meaning difficult and hard, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1325 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The __________ company had no chance of standing firm when the stock market crashed and harmed other businesses.
fledgling
robust
influential
dynamic
dominant
fledgling
The sentence notes that "other businesses" were harmed, indicating a company with "no chance of standing firm" would be worse than those businesses. The correct answer must mean inexperienced or brand new, the definition of "fledgling."
Example Question #1326 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The __________ matter took over a large part of the conversation for some unknown reason.
monumental
intriguing
picayune
consequential
significant
picayune
The matter "for some unknown reason" was still taking a "large part." The correct answer has to indicate the matter was unimportant and not meaningful. "Picayune," meaning trivial or small, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1327 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The seemingly boring topic can be turned into a __________ speech by a gifted orator.
banal
pedantic
mundane
patronizing
riveting
riveting
The sentence contrasts the missing word with the "seemingly boring." This indicates the correct answer will indicate the speech was interesting in a surprising way. "Riveting," meaning fascinating or enthralling, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1012 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The lenthy course in traffic engineering made him a __________ expert in the field.
veritable
flailing
desultory
mundane
perfidious
veritable
The sentence intensifies its description of the subject as an "expert" with the missing word. The correct answer will show the man was a genuine "expert." "Veritable," literally meaning able to be proved, but often used as modifier to mean nearly true, is the best choice in the sentence.
Example Question #1013 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
The hikers were __________ as they began their ascent of the beautiful mountain.
inured
felicitous
soporific
guiless
ebullient
ebullient
The choice that makes the most sense is "ebullient," full of excitement and energy.
Example Question #1014 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
Although Bill has a temper, his anger is always __________, and his calm temperament often returns quite quickly.
irascible
porous
ebullient
dormant
ephemeral
ephemeral
The choice that makes the most sense is "ephemeral," lasting for a short time.
Example Question #1015 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
The __________ man was never to be trusted; even though he seemed to be telling the truth, James knew there was a better chance he was lying.
mercurial
malleable
mendacious
meticulous
maudlin
mendacious
The choice that makes the most sense is "mendacious," lying; habitually dishonest.
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