All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #381 : Text Completion
A mother's __________ will often make her worry about quite trivial things.
levity
vitriol
volatility
consternation
humility
consternation
The sentence explains that mothers "worry about quite trivial things." The correct answer must show a state of being that explains this unnecessary worry. "Consternation," meaning concern or anxiety, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #321 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The CEO went off on a __________ about realty prices in a meeting regarding the company's stock portfolio.
nadir
digresson
levee
quandary
mitigation
digresson
The sentence notes the meeting was about "the company's stock portfolio," but the CEO went on the missing word about "realty prices." The correct answer will therefore have to indicate he went away from the main point. "Digression," meaning remarks going away from a topic, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #383 : Text Completion
The king instituted a regular meeting wherein __________ could ask for his favor directly.
dissidents
supplicants
inconoclasts
exuberants
paradigms
supplicants
The sentence notes the people described by the missing word go to the king to "ask his favor." The correct answer must show someone who is asking for something from a powerful person. "Supplicants," meaning people begging for favors, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #384 : Text Completion
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
In __________ to her mother's request, Amy tried to keep her music turned down after dinner time.
probity
indigence
paucity
lassitude
deference
deference
The choice that makes the most sense is "deference," humble submission or courteous regard for another's wish.
Example Question #322 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
Although saving only a small amount of money each month can seem like a pointless endeavor, the __________ of funds over years of time can be remarkable.
liquidity
dearth
abscission
accretion
tenacity
accretion
The word "although" indicates a comparison between two ideas. The first idea is that putting away small amounts of money regularly may seem pointless. The second idea is that it is not pointless—instead, it is remarkable. The missing word provides an explanation of what makes the results of this action remarkable rather than pointless, so it is word meaning something that happens to funds over time that is positive. "Accretion" is the act of gathering or piling up, and this is certainly what will happen to a reserve of money if small amounts are regularly added to it.
"Dearth" means absence, so this is the opposite of what is implied. "Liquidity" is a word often applied to money, but cash money is liquid (in the sense of immediately spendable) in any amount at any time, so this is not something that would change over time. "Abscission" means cutting in to and is nonsensical in this sentence. "Tenacity" means stubbornness and is not a quality generally ascribed to money.
Example Question #323 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
Despite their reputation for being harsh, the ancient rulers were known to give __________ to the condemned quite frequently.
ephemera
clemency
adulation
nostalgia
philanthropy
clemency
The key word in the sentence is "condemned," as it indicates the sentence discusses criminals or the accused. Coupled with disproving a "reputation for being harsh," the correct answer will mean mercy or pardon, the definition of "clemency."
Example Question #324 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although the police never found any stolen property in his home, they were convinced the man had been committing __________ for years.
fratricide
embezzlement
larceny
fraud
homicide
larceny
The phrase "stolen property" is the best clue in the sentence. While all the answer choices are some kind of crime, only "larceny" means robbery or theft, which correctly completes the sentence.
Example Question #325 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
While the boy thought he was letting the group of girls know about his accomplishments, his arrogance made him seem like a __________.
coward
paragon
poseur
braggart
heretic
braggart
The best word to understand the context for the answer choice is "arrogance," which limits the answer choices. The correct choice needs to indicate arrogance and a tendency to talk too much, ruling out every answer choice but "braggart."
Example Question #326 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The college president made certain to store copies of all his correspondence for __________.
aesthetics
posterity
ephemera
restoration
hyperbole
posterity
The phrase "made certain to store copies" is an important one in the sentence, as it indicates the president wants to save his correspondence for some reason. With this in mind, "posterity," meaning the future or generations to come, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #327 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The captain's attempt to __________ the mutiny was unsuccessful, and his crew placed him in a rowboat and sailed away.
thwart
reform
engage
encourage
assist
thwart
The second clause of the sentence indicates the mutiny was accomplished, so the captain unsuccessfully tried to stop the mutiny. Of all the answer choices, only "thwart," meaning prevent or frustrate something, carries the correct meaning.