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 #381 : Text Completion

A mother's __________ will often make her worry about quite trivial things.

Possible Answers:

levity

vitriol

volatility

consternation

humility

Correct answer:

consternation

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

nadir

digresson

levee

quandary

mitigation

Correct answer:

digresson

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

dissidents

supplicants

inconoclasts

exuberants

paradigms

Correct answer:

supplicants

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

probity

indigence

paucity

lassitude

deference

Correct answer:

deference

Explanation:

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. 

Possible Answers:

liquidity

dearth

abscission

accretion

tenacity

Correct answer:

accretion

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

ephemera

clemency

adulation

nostalgia

philanthropy

Correct answer:

clemency

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

fratricide

embezzlement

larceny

fraud

homicide

Correct answer:

larceny

Explanation:

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 __________.

Possible Answers:

coward

paragon

poseur

braggart

heretic

Correct answer:

braggart

Explanation:

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 __________.

Possible Answers:

aesthetics

posterity

ephemera

restoration

hyperbole

Correct answer:

posterity

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

thwart

reform

engage

encourage

assist

Correct answer:

thwart

Explanation:

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.

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