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 #621 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Kind words do little to situations that require more than nice phrases in order to be improved.
ameliorate
augment
retract
enlighten
allay
ameliorate
The sense of the the sentence indicates that kind words fail to help in improvement of a bad situation. It is perhaps tempting to choose "augment" because of its sense of "increase." Certain verbal associations might lead one to choose "retract" or "allay," but these do not apply. "Ameliorate" fits best, as it means "to improve" or "make better."
Example Question #622 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Her ability to predict what her students would do made them think she was a __________.
sibyl
contemporary
paragon
pedant
liturgy
sibyl
The sentence explicitly notes that she has an "ability to predict what her students would do," which is the best clue to the answer. The correct answer must indicate someone who can see the future. "Sibyl," meaning a prophetess, after a Greek myth, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #623 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The slip and fall __________ an already existing injury.
illustrated
obviated
exacerbated
cogitated
corroborated
exacerbated
The key to the answer is the phrase "already existing injury." This means the injury described by the sentence took the existing injury and made it worse, the definition of "exacerbated."
Example Question #624 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
His appetite was limitless, and no meal could ever truly __________ him.
fawn
ingratiate
satiate
doff
obviate
satiate
The subject's "appetite was limitless," which means one meal would not be enough. The correct answer should mean to satisfy or fill up, the definition of "satiate," which is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #625 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
After multiple injuries from playing with the toys, they were __________ at the school.
demurred
proscribed
approved
ogled
solaced
proscribed
The toys have caused "multiple injuries," so presumably they are not wanted at a school. The correct answer must mean forbidden or outlawed, the definition of "proscribed."
Example Question #626 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
While he was once a great athlete, he had let his fitness __________ once he was no longer playing every day.
restore
expand
languish
improve
encroach
languish
The structure of the sentence indicates that the athlete is no longer as fit as he used to be. The correct answer choice needs to indicate that he has let himself go. "Languish," meaning suffer or decline, is the only choice that makes sense in the sentence.
Example Question #651 : One Blank Texts
His first action as leader was to ______________ those who opposed him to unimportant positions.
advocate
eulogize
relegate
congeal
alleviate
relegate
The new leader is making his opponents go to "unimportant positions." The correct answer will indicate this movement to irrelevance. "Relegate," meaning dismissed to a lower position, is the best choice.
Example Question #652 : One Blank Texts
The ________ taste of the cheese let the chef know it had gone bad.
acrid
mellifluous
torpid
melodious
resplendent
acrid
The key word in this sentence is "bad." The correct answer will have a highly negative meaning. Resplendent, mellifluous, and melodious are all too positive in meaning. Torpid, meaning flat or dullness, is not strong enough. Acrid, meaning pungent and sharp, is the best fit.
Example Question #653 : One Blank Texts
While advised by his doctors that it was quite unhealthy, the old man regarded his pipe smoking habit as a ______________.
questionable
restorative
punitive
equivocal
debilitative
restorative
The structure of the sentence makes it clear that the old man views his habit differently from his doctors. The answer, therefore, needs to mean the opposite of "unhealthy." "Restorative," meaning a soothing and revitalizing tonic, is the best choice.
Example Question #1 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The variety of bird calls made its own __________________ collage.
olfactory
euphonic
delineated
torpid
immutable
euphonic
"Bird calls," particularly a variety of them, are quite noisy and musical. The correct answer will have something to do with sound or music. "Euphonic, meaning pleasant sounding or beautifully musical, is the best choice.
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