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.
dispensible
mediocre
unimpressive
quintessential
irrelevant
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 #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.
despairingly
thoughtfully
angrily
cynically
wistfully
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 #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.
haughty
conspicuous
exemplary
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 #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.
avant-garde
exceptional
trendy
pedestrian
antiquated
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 #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.
significant
abrasive
monotonous
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 #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.
destitute
vacuous
noxious
replete
formidable
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 #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.
epistolary
resplendent
ephemeral
poignant
nugatory
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 #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.
inept
erudite
adroit
brawny
timorous
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 #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.
purified
caustic
infallible
arcane
pellucid
caustic
We need words that make sense for both a sarcastic wit and corrosive chemicals, like "biting" and "caustic."
Example Question #1184 : Text Completion
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 __________.
infatuating
prosaic
enthralling
vacuous
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.
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