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 #1111 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Robert Burns is considered the __________ Scottish poet, as his work is famous throughout Scotland and is seen to embody Scottish culture.

Possible Answers:

dispensible

irrelevant

quintessential

mediocre

unimpressive

Correct answer:

quintessential

Explanation:

The second half of the sentence indicates that Robert Burns is held in high regard, so "quintissential" is the best answer choice.

Example Question #1112 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Fred frequently looked back __________ on his time in the military, viewing it as the “glory days” that he could never recover.

Possible Answers:

angrily

cynically

thoughtfully

despairingly

wistfully

Correct answer:

wistfully

Explanation:

Fred’s view of his past “glory days” indicates the positive feelings towards the military Fred holds, ruling out "angrily" and "despairingly." "Thoughtfully" does not work because of the simple manner in which Fred regards his military experience.

Example Question #1113 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

His demeanor was often considered ___________ due to his aloof manner and biting comments.

Possible Answers:

exemplary

haughty

gentlemanly

jolly

conspicuous

Correct answer:

haughty

Explanation:

Both “aloof manner” and “biting comments” tell us that the word we are looking for needs to indicate something poor about the subject’s personality. Only one word, “haughty,” carries such a meaning.

Example Question #1114 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Her fashion sense was considered quite __________, as it gave the impression she had not updated her wardrobe in years.

Possible Answers:

avant-garde

pedestrian

exceptional

trendy

antiquated

Correct answer:

antiquated

Explanation:

The inability of the woman to update her wardrobe indicates she is old-fashioned. This is the exact meaning of “antiquated,” making it the best fit for this sentence.

Example Question #1115 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The __________ texture of the airline pillow irritated Angela’s face and made her long flight all the more vexatious.

Possible Answers:

significant

abrasive

dexterous

monotonous

lustrous

Correct answer:

abrasive

Explanation:

You are looking for an adjective that would describe how a pillow might irritate someone’s face and make their flight "vexatious," or unpleasant. "Abrasive" means rough, coarse, or harsh, so is the only answer choice that fits the context of the sentence.

Example Question #1116 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Thomas’ bookshelves were __________ with works of literature, especially his many beloved detective novels.

Possible Answers:

vacuous

noxious

replete

destitute

formidable

Correct answer:

replete

Explanation:

You are looking for an adjective that would describe Thomas’ “many” books on a bookshelf. Since "replete" means full, it is the only answer choice that fits the context of the sentence.

Example Question #1117 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Do not take for granted the time you have, asserts the playwright; life is more __________ than you think.

Possible Answers:

ephemeral

poignant

nugatory

epistolary

resplendent

Correct answer:

ephemeral

Explanation:

The playwright suggests that you should appreciate the time you have because life is fleeting. "Ephemeral" best completes the sentence because it means short-lived.

Example Question #1118 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

A workshop full of stately, handcrafted furniture was a testament to how __________ Wilson was at woodworking.

Possible Answers:

erudite

inept

adroit

timorous

brawny

Correct answer:

adroit

Explanation:

The sentence is describing how Wilson has made many pieces of “stately, handcrafted furniture.” You can infer that he is therefore "skilled" at woodworking, which is exactly what "adroit" means and why that is the best answer choice.

Example Question #1119 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Her famous wit was as __________ as the chemicals she worked with, which could burn clean through the skin.

Possible Answers:

caustic

arcane

infallible

purified

pellucid

Correct answer:

caustic

Explanation:

We need words that make sense for both a sarcastic wit and corrosive chemicals, like "biting" and "caustic."

Example Question #1432 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence. 

The man had charm and a sense of fun, but the lack of real content in his words eventually caused him to be dismissed as __________.

Possible Answers:

vacuous

enthralling

provocative

infatuating

prosaic

Correct answer:

vacuous

Explanation:

"Vacuous" means foolishly silly and empty, which seems to fit the description of this man. "Prosaic" means boring, and the description contradicts this.

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