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 #791 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The new laws __________ new issues none of its supporters believed would develop.

Possible Answers:

disabused

averred

engendered

engrafted

atoned

Correct answer:

engendered

Explanation:

The "new laws" had things that developed despite what its supporters thought would happen. This means they caused or brought into being, the definition of "engendered," which is the correct answer.

Example Question #481 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Fad diets are potenially harmful because they often involve __________ certain food groups, vital to a healthy body, and eventually lead to nutritional deficiency.

Possible Answers:

consuming

devouring

abnegating

ignoring

allowing

Correct answer:

abnegating

Explanation:

"Consuming," "devouring," and "allowing" all indicate that dieters are encouraged to eat all the food groups, which is not the case. "Ignoring" could make sense, but "abnegating," meaning denying oneself, conveys the sense of active denial more and is the better choice.

Example Question #482 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

No amount of petting would __________ the crazed horse, which would have trampled everyone in sight if he had not been restrained. 

Possible Answers:

impede

provoke

mollify

inhibit

aggravate

Correct answer:

mollify

Explanation:

"Inhibit" and "impede," which both mean to hold back, do not make sense because the horse is already restrained from trampling everyone. To "aggravate" or "provoke," both meaning to excite, would only upset the horse more. Only "mollify," meaning soothe, is a good choice.

Example Question #483 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The prisoner's display of remorse was so moving that the judge agreed to __________ her sentence.

Possible Answers:

cozen

requite

censure

exacerbate

mitigate

Correct answer:

mitigate

Explanation:

Since the prisoner had remorse, or regret, for her crimes, it makes logical sense for the judge to reduce the prison sentence—so mitigate, to make less severe, works. Note that exacerbate is an antonym to mitigate.

Example Question #484 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

His newfound popularity __________ a great deal of jeaulousy among his old friends that were not as successful.

Possible Answers:

engendered

obviated

condoned

acquiesced

quashed

Correct answer:

engendered

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly notes that the subject had "friends that were not as successful." This means that the subject's friends became jealous. "Engendered," meaning caused or brought into being, is the correct answer.

Example Question #485 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Her desire for vengeance was __________ when misfortune befell her rival, and she let him be.

Possible Answers:

importuned

debilitated

embellished

slaked

acquiesced

Correct answer:

slaked

Explanation:

Since "she let him be," the subject did not pursue her desire for vengeance any further. This indicates that her rival's misfortune was something that helped her desire go away. "Slaked," meaning quenched or satisfied, is the correct answer.

Example Question #486 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

In an attempt to appear more professional, the young woman __________ a business suit for her interview.

Possible Answers:

rebutted

intimated

doffed

recanted

donned

Correct answer:

donned

Explanation:

The young woman is "attempting to appear more professional" with her "business suit." The use of a piece of clothing is the best clue to the answer. "Donned," meaning put on, usually in regards to an article of clothing, is the correct answer.

Example Question #512 : One Blank Texts

 A planetary transit occurs when one planet passes in front of another planet or the sun and temporarily __________ a portion of the farther planet’s disc. 

Possible Answers:

Refutes

Reifies

Occludes

Ratifies

Foments

Correct answer:

Occludes

Explanation:

"Occludes" means blocks from sight. It is the only word that fits.

Example Question #487 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

After receiving many calls asking for support with simple issues that could be __________ with very little effort, the computer repairman grew highly frustrated.

Possible Answers:

rectified

caclified

enumerated

complicated

verified

Correct answer:

rectified

Explanation:

The computer support man here is being bombarded with calls about simple problems that could be fixed easily, and thus he is frustrated. "Rectified" means solved or fixed, and so it is the best choice for this sentence.

Example Question #488 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

In order to __________ her husband into buying her a new cocktail dress and heels, she used blandishments to help her cause.

Possible Answers:

entreat

forfend

inveigle

undermine

hector

Correct answer:

inveigle

Explanation:

In this sentence, the best word choice is that she wanted to coax, or "inveigle," her husband into buying her shoes and a dress. She is not necessarily bullying him or asking him earnestly. Instead, she is coaxing him by using flattery.

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