GRE Verbal : Parts of Speech in One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

Example Question #471 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Throughout all societies, outsider groups have been __________ against by the dominant culture.

Possible Answers:

celebrated

prostrated

discriminated

levitated

alleviated

Correct answer:

discriminated

Explanation:

The missing word is something a "dominant culture" does to "outsider groups." The correct answer will show the strength possessed by the "dominant" over the "outsiders." "Discriminated," meaning to look down on and act against due to difference, is the best choice.

Example Question #472 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Instead of walking directly to his office, he would __________ around to say hello to everyone.

Possible Answers:

belabor

peruse

meander

flaunt

prostrate

Correct answer:

meander

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with "walking directly." The correct answer must mean wandering around, the definition of "meander."

Example Question #473 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The group undertook an advertising campaign to __________ support for their cause.

Possible Answers:

flaunt

decimate

waylay

solicit

emaciate

Correct answer:

solicit

Explanation:

The group has "an advertising campaign" for their own cause. The correct answer will indicate they were attempting to gather support. "Solicit," meaning to ask or seek, is the best choice.

Example Question #474 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The angry mob __________ for the deposed king's head outside the castle.

Possible Answers:

appeased

solicited

negotiated

clamored

acquiesced

Correct answer:

clamored

Explanation:

The sentence deals with an "angry mob" seeking a "king's head." The manner in which they ask for his head should match their anger. "Clamored," meaning shouted or screamed, is the correct answer.

Example Question #475 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The young man decided to __________ his new car by driving it back and forth on the town's main drag.

Possible Answers:

congeal

conceal

flaunt

deflect

portend

Correct answer:

flaunt

Explanation:

The young man is driving his car "on the town's main drag," a highly visible location. This means he wants people to see his new car. "Flaunt," meaning show off or obviously display, is the correct answer.

Example Question #476 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Jealous of her classmate's popularity and hoping to harm her reputation, Rohini __________ several cruel and untrue rumors about her.

Possible Answers:

misdirected

hindered

dissembled

perpetuated

contradicted

Correct answer:

perpetuated

Explanation:

Because "dissembled" means to have concealed, it would be unlikely that Rohini would be trying to hide the rumors. "Contradicted", meaning spoke out against, is also unlikely. "Hindered", meaning slowed, also does not make sense. "Misdirected" also makes little sense because Rohini would want these rumors to be clearly targeted and not misdirected; however, it does make sense that she would "perpetuate, or prolong the existence of, such rumors in order to harm another girl's reputation.

Example Question #477 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

He was well know for his ability to __________, and he rarely used a script while speaking.

Possible Answers:

extemporize

deliberate

lionize

scrutinize

debilitate

Correct answer:

extemporize

Explanation:

The sentence notes that the subject "rarely used a script while speaking." This means the correct answer will indicate not needing a script. "Extemporize," meaning to speak with little preparation or off the cuff, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #478 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The ballplayer's simple mistake saw him __________ by his coach for his errors.

Possible Answers:

pacified

embellished

eulogized

advocated

lambasted

Correct answer:

lambasted

Explanation:

The sentence notes both the player made a "simple mistake" and that the coach did the missing word to the player because he had "errors." The correct answer will show a criticism or anger from the coach. "Lambasted," meaning verbally attacked, is the best option among the answers.

Example Question #479 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

For his own safety, the accused criminal was __________ from the public's wrath in an undisclosed location.

Possible Answers:

fortified

reproved

broached

cloistered

breached

Correct answer:

cloistered

Explanation:

The "accused criminal" is taken to "an undisclosed location" to avoid the "public's wrath." This means the "accused criminal" is being hidden away and isolated, the definition of "cloistered," which is the correct answer.

Example Question #480 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

His inability to succeed at chess __________ him of the idea he excelled at any game.

Possible Answers:

disabused

disaffected

emboldened

engendered

lavished

Correct answer:

disabused

Explanation:

The subject thought he "excelled at any game," but his experience with chess was different. The correct answer needs to indicate that the subject was wrong. "Disabused," meaning to have someone's mind changed, is the best choice.

Tired of practice problems?

Try live online GRE prep today.

1-on-1 Tutoring
Live Online Class
1-on-1 + Class
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors