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 #531 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The discovery of the secret plans __________ the ability of the conspirators to pull them off.

Possible Answers:

abetted

compromised

simplified

comforted

facilitated

Correct answer:

compromised

Explanation:

The "conspirators" now will have difficulty because of "the discovery of the secret plans." The correct answer should indicate complication and trouble. "Compromised," meaning damaged or placed in doubt, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #161 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

Many fellow writers were envious that he was __________ with such a gift for prose.

Possible Answers:

faltered

compromised

obviated

endowed

abused

Correct answer:

endowed

Explanation:

The sentence describes that "writers were envious" of the subject's "gift for prose." This means the correct answer needs to mean given or provided, the definition of "endowed."

Example Question #532 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The young girl __________ when she tried to ask her mother for a raise in her allowance and ended up not asking.

Possible Answers:

faltered

emboldened

resolved

strengthened

equivocated.

Correct answer:

faltered

Explanation:

The final phrase of the sentence notes the young girl "ended up not asking" for a raise in her allowance. This means the missing word has to indicate she decided not or was unable to ask. "Faltered," meaning hesitated or wavered, is the best chocie among the answers.

Example Question #533 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The couple disliked their friend's new girlfriend's tendency to _________ about a litany of stupid things.

Possible Answers:

prattle

eschew

waver

falter

extemporize

Correct answer:

prattle

Explanation:

The sentence has one great clue to the best answer choice, that the "new girlfriend" tends to do the missing word about "a litany of stupid things." The correct answer needs to indicate she is also annoying to the couple. "Prattle," meaning to babble and talk in a mindless manner, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #534 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The teacher had a tendency to __________ about his subject, causing the students to become disengaged.

Possible Answers:

interrogate

charm

fascinate

orate

jest

Correct answer:

orate

Explanation:

The teacher causes "the students to become disengaged," so the teacher's tendency needs to make the students not care. The correct answer needs to indicate both something boring and without student input. "Orate," meaning to talk in a pompous and overblown manner, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #535 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The teenager ate all his food quickly, and rarely took time to __________ his food.

Possible Answers:

diverge

flaunt

savor

discount

discard

Correct answer:

savor

Explanation:

The sentence notes the teenager "ate all his food quickly," which meant he did not do the missing word. This means the correct answer should indicate slowing down to eat. "Savor," meaning to enjoy or relish, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #536 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The lack of agreement between the groups made the negotiator __________ the issue for a later session.

Possible Answers:

expose

undermine

table

broach

weaken

Correct answer:

table

Explanation:

The negotiator does the missing word to the issue because the two sides have a "lack of agreement" on it. The correct answer needs to show the negotiator has done something to deal with the issue. "Table," meaning to put away for a future discussion, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #537 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The company was struggling until they found an investor to __________ their breakthrough project.

Possible Answers:

pinch

personify

undermine

underwrite

discount

Correct answer:

underwrite

Explanation:

The sentence both calls the company "struggling" and that the investor helped their "breakthrough project." This means the correct answer needs to demonstrate some sort of assistance or insurance. "Underwrite," meaning to help fund or endorse, is the best choice among the answer.

Example Question #563 : One Blank Texts

Giving the flower the proper fertilizer and watering it frequently should allow your new plant to __________. 

Possible Answers:

expire

wither

burgeon

succumb

perish

Correct answer:

burgeon

Explanation:

To "burgeon" is a verb that means to flourish or to grow rapidly. Proper care of the flower will allow it to flourish. 

Example Question #538 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Her tendency to __________ aspects of her job caused resentment among her coworkers.

Possible Answers:

enhance

prone

savor

shirk

embrace

Correct answer:

shirk

Explanation:

The key element of the sentence is that her behavior "caused resentment among her coworkers." This indicates the correct answer must show her doing something to anger her coworkers. "Shirk," meaning to avoid or ignore, is the best choice among the answers.

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