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 #220 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

In fashion circles, he was _____________ for his impressive ability to create simple styles many people wanted to buy.

Possible Answers:

ridiculed

admonished

revered

loathed

puzzled

Correct answer:

revered

Explanation:

The key word in this sentence is "impressive." Without it, many answer choices would work in the sentence, but the correct choice needs to pair with "impressive." "Revere," meaning to worship or adore, is the only choice that works with the full context of the sentence.

Example Question #591 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

After taking over in a junta, the new regime attempted to _______________ any signs the previous president had ruled.

Possible Answers:

efface

confound

admonish

condone

encourage

Correct answer:

efface

Explanation:

The current regime, as a junta that took over militarily, would have an interest in downplaying the previous president's rule. The correct answer will in some way indicate that suppression. "Efface," meaning to wipe out or eliminate, is the correct answer.

Example Question #592 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The doctors decided the man was insane after he spent days ____________ incoherently to himself

Possible Answers:

exclaiming

expectorating

pontificating

advocating

gibbering

Correct answer:

gibbering

Explanation:

All the answer choices could fit in this sentence, but one choice will fit better than the others. The key word in the sentence is "incoherently," which describes the missing word. "Gibbering," meaning to make random and meaningless noises, is the correct answer.

Example Question #593 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

After the controversy over his comments, he immediately _______________ and asked for an apology.

Possible Answers:

subverted

condoned

perpetuated

recanted

obscured

Correct answer:

recanted

Explanation:

The "controversy" and the "apology" mentioned in the sentence indicates the comments were something the subject wishes to take back. "Recanted," meaning to have withdrawn a statement, is the correct answer.

Example Question #594 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

When asked directly about his choice, the CEO _____________ to heighten the confusion.

Possible Answers:

poised

denounced

recanted

asserted

demurred

Correct answer:

demurred

Explanation:

The sentence could make sense with a few of the answer choices, so the best fit must be chosen. The CEO increasing the confusion in his response indicates he did not answer clearly. "Demurred," meaning to hesitate or refuse, is the best choice.

Example Question #595 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Certain historians have attempted to reasses how much destruction and ____________ the Vikings actually incurred during their raids.

Possible Answers:

advocating

strutting

buttressing

pillaging

condoning

Correct answer:

pillaging

Explanation:

The key word in the sentence is "destruction," and much of the rest of the sentence is mere excess. The correct answer will be a word that can be appropiately coupled with "destruction." "Pillaging,"  meaning to plunder and ransack, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #596 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

When the river dried up, it __________ the area's need for a bridge.

 

Possible Answers:

annulled

rescinded

obviated

precipitated

propitiated

Correct answer:

obviated

Explanation:

Because the town no longer needed a bridge after the river dried up, we know that we need a word that means something like eliminated. We can eliminate the answer "precipitated," as it means caused, as well as "propitiated," which means appeased. Choosing from "annulled," "rescinded," and "obviated" can be a bit tricky, because in some sense they all mean canceled, but "annulled" specifically means declared an agreement or decision invalid, while "rescinded" means revoked, canceled, or repealed a law, order, or agreement. Since the sentence isn't talking about an agreement, decision, law, or order, we should choose the remaining choice, "obviated," which simply means to remove.

Example Question #597 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.

The terrible drought has __________ the once mighty river into a mere stream.

Possible Answers:

ameliorated

aggregated

appeased

amalgamated

attenuated

Correct answer:

attenuated

Explanation:

The choice that makes the most since is "attenuated," to make thinner; weaken or lessen in degree.

Example Question #598 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Over the years, the warring tribes slowly __________ into one kingdom.

Possible Answers:

obviated

jeopardized

fractured

coalesced

co-opted

Correct answer:

coalesced

Explanation:

The tribes went from "warring" to becoming "one kingdom." The correct answer will describe their process of uniting. "Coalesced," meaning to come together or merge, is the best answer choice.

Example Question #599 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

With the league contracting, the two teams had to __________ their players onto one roster.

Possible Answers:

goad

wax

merge

broach

explode

Correct answer:

merge

Explanation:

The key element of the sentence is the fact "two teams" had to make "one roster." This means the two teams had to combine and the correct answer will reflect this. "Merge," meaning to combine and come together, is the best choice.

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