GRE Verbal : Parts of Speech in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1422 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
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.
unimpressive
quintessential
irrelevant
dispensible
mediocre
quintessential
The second half of the sentence indicates that Robert Burns is held in high regard, so "quintissential" is the best answer choice.
Example Question #1423 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
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.
wistfully
angrily
thoughtfully
cynically
despairingly
wistfully
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 #1424 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
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.
conspicuous
exemplary
haughty
gentlemanly
jolly
haughty
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 #1425 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
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.
antiquated
exceptional
trendy
avant-garde
pedestrian
antiquated
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 #1426 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
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.
abrasive
monotonous
significant
lustrous
dexterous
abrasive
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 #1427 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
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.
formidable
replete
noxious
destitute
vacuous
replete
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 #1428 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
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.
nugatory
epistolary
ephemeral
poignant
resplendent
ephemeral
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 #1429 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
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.
erudite
adroit
inept
timorous
brawny
adroit
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 #1141 : 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.
pellucid
caustic
infallible
purified
arcane
caustic
We need words that make sense for both a sarcastic wit and corrosive chemicals, like "biting" and "caustic."
Example Question #1142 : One Blank Texts
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 __________.
prosaic
vacuous
infatuating
enthralling
provocative
vacuous
"Vacuous" means foolishly silly and empty, which seems to fit the description of this man. "Prosaic" means boring, and the description contradicts this.
All GRE Verbal Resources
