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 #291 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
concatenation
epiphany
frenzy
catastrophe
conflagration
conflagration
Using the context clues that the factory was somehow "consumed" and that this produced a great deal of smoke, you should guess that the event (or "concatenation") being described involved a fire. Although a fire could possibly be described as a "catastrophe," "conflagration" is more specific to this context, and therefore the best choice.
Example Question #292 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
The traitor was swiftly punished when his __________ was discovered, but his treachery had already done its damage to the war effort.
puerility
inefficacy
penury
perfidy
malice
perfidy
Example Question #293 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
alacrity
poverty
consumerism
polarity
insularity
insularity
The first step to completing this sentence is realizing that the advice offered by the speaker, in the form of a quotation, is meant to dissuade the mentioned advocates. Knowing that, if you understand the quotation to mean something like, "No one is disconnected or entirely self-sufficient," you can guess that the philosophy in question is one advocating self-sufficiency or total independence. "Insularity" is therefore the best word choice, as it means "extreme exclusivity," and "insular" literally means "of or pertaining to an island."
Example Question #294 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Although he looked like a __________, the man was actually quite wealthy.
dilettante
stereotype
vagrant
lunatic
paradigm
vagrant
The sentence contrasts the man's appearance with his being "actually quite wealthy." The correct answer will indicate he looked poor or shabby. "Vagrant," meaning a homeless wanderer, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #295 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
His writing was full of __________ that were intended to challenge his readers.
paradoxes
pablum
eulogies
euphemisms
prattle
paradoxes
The missing word is "intended to challenge his readers." The correct answer must indicate something confusing or hard to understand. "Paradoxes," meaning contradictory but true statements, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #296 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The General's __________ for ceremony meant he declined a celebratory parade.
obsession
disdain
approbation
enthusiasm
affection
disdain
"A celebratory parade" is a kind of "ceremony," so the general's refusal means he was opposed to ceremony. The correct answer should mean dislike or hatred, the definition of "disdain."
Example Question #321 : One Blank Texts
The __________ of the boss' statements meant his employees were unable to take any action.
ambiguity
clarity
forcefulness
immutability
opulence
ambiguity
The "employees were unable to take action," because of the nature of the boss' statements. This means the correct answer will explain why the employess were confused and unable to do anything. "Ambiguity," meaning vagueness or uncertainty, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #296 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
His __________ remained elusive no matter how long he hunted.
stratagem
appetite
ennui
prattle
quarry
quarry
The sentence notes the subject cannot have the missing word, "no matter how long he hunted;" therefore, the correct answer must mean something hunted or a prize, which is the definition of "quarry."
Example Question #296 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Her __________ to social situations made her rarely go out to parties or other occasions.
homogeneity
aversion
vitality
affability
curiosity
aversion
The sentence describes the subject as someone who will "rarely go out." This indicates she probably does not enjoy "social situations." "Aversion," meaning dislike or hatred, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #297 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The problem grew worse because of the __________ of previously disparate issues.
aversion
indifference
stratagem
combustion
concatenation
concatenation
The structure of the sentence indicates the "previously disparate issues" are no longer so separate. The correct answer needs to show a joining or bringing together. "Concatenation," literally meaning linking of pieces in a chain, is the best choice.
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