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 #545 : One Blank Texts

To make the gift fancier, the books were _________ with custom trim on their covers.

Possible Answers:

sabotaged

defaced

eroded

embossed

undermined

Correct answer:

embossed

Explanation:

The missing word describes something done to "make the gift fancier." The correct answer, therefore, must indicate a special task to personalize or improve the books. "Embossed," meaning to decorate with a special stamp, is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #521 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The general's attack did not seek to destroy his opponent, but simply to __________ the opposing forward line.

Possible Answers:

fusillade

enervate

propagate

masticate

eviscerate

Correct answer:

enervate

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly notes that the attack would not  "destroy his opponent," and the missing word has to mean harming, but less than "destroy." The correct answer needs to mean weaken or fatigue, the definition of "enervate."

Example Question #522 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The team's poor play in the season opener __________ a difficult year for their fans.

Possible Answers:

equivocated

resuscitated

presaged

enervated

imitated

Correct answer:

presaged

Explanation:

The sentence notes the team's fans had "a difficult year" after their "poor play in the season opener." This means the correct answer will therefore indicate a connection between the team's play in their opener and the rest of the year. "Presaged," meaning forewarned or foreshadowed, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #523 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The only way to solve the decades old murder was to __________ the victim for analysis.

Possible Answers:

flout

entomb

disinter

venerate

disregard

Correct answer:

disinter

Explanation:

The sentence notes that the victim of a "decades old murder" had to be "analyzed." The correct answer will indicate that a dead body had to looked at and examined. "Disinter," meaning to dig up or remove from a grave, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #524 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The plan was simply to __________ the procession, but it ended up completely cancelling it.

Possible Answers:

deride

eviscerate

hallow

orate

impede

Correct answer:

impede

Explanation:

The plan actually "ended up completely cancelling" the procession, although it was only supposed to do the missing word. This means that the correct answer will show it was not supposed to go that far. "Impede," meaning to hinder or get in the way, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #155 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

The recipe carefully instructed that the ingredients should not __________ until specifically instructed to blend them.

Possible Answers:

commingle

separate

emboss

cant

eschew

Correct answer:

commingle

Explanation:

The recipe directs ingredients should only mix when "specifically instructed." This indicates the correct answer will mean blending or coming together, the definition of "commingling."

Example Question #525 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

With the monument, the veterans' group hoped to __________ the battlefield in the memory of the wounded and fallen.

Possible Answers:

desecrate

obviate

impede

disinter

hallow

Correct answer:

hallow

Explanation:

The sentence describes a "veterans' group" placing a memorial for "the wounded and fallen." The correct answer needs to indicate that the group is making the memorial a special place. "Hallow," meaning to worship or revere, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #838 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

A good appetizer will __________ a diner's appetite without ruining the meal.

Possible Answers:

resolve

pique

confound

obscure

obliterate

Correct answer:

pique

Explanation:

The sentence describes a "good appetizer" as not "ruining the meal." This means an appetizer will enhance or help an appetite. "Pique," meaning to stimulate interest, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #526 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The shopkeeper was slowly __________ of his money by the protection racket of the gang leader.

Possible Answers:

engorged

recompensed

recanted

milked

overwhelmed

Correct answer:

milked

Explanation:

The "shopkeeper" has his money affected by a "protection racket," or a scheme where a strongman takes money under threats of violence. The correct answer should indicate the shopkeeper is losing money through force or being pressured out of his money, which is the definition of "milked."

Example Question #527 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

After it was revealed he had so many scandals, his image was __________ beyond recovery.

Possible Answers:

tarnished

dormant

enhanced

apposite

submerged

Correct answer:

tarnished

Explanation:

The sentence notes that the subject "had so many scandals," whose effect on "his image" is described by the missing word. The correct answer needs to indicate harm or hurt. "Tarnished," meaning made dull (as in brass), and here used metaphorically, is the best choice among the answers.

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