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 #681 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The young woman favored trivial conversations, and strenuously avoided ___________ topics.

Possible Answers:

subtle

weighty

supercilious

gratuitous

genial

Correct answer:

weighty

Explanation:

The sentence's structure contrasts the answer blank with "trivial."  The correct answer will mean serious or important, which is the definition of "weighty."

Example Question #744 : Text Completion

His blue mohawk made him a ___________________ figure everywhere in the small town.

Possible Answers:

conspicuous

congenital

condoning

subtle

mundane

Correct answer:

conspicuous

Explanation:

A "blue mohawk" would stick out quite a bit in a small town. The correct answer will show how different and unusual it is. "Conspicuous," meaning obvious or easily seen, is the best choice.

Example Question #681 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The manager developed a ________________ desire to be promoted when he saw the new job's accompanying salary.

Possible Answers:

burgeoning

transgressed

belittling

equivocating

suppressed

Correct answer:

burgeoning

Explanation:

The tone of the sentence indicates the "accompanying salary" makes the manager want the promotion more. The correct answer will show the growth in his desire. "Burgeoning," meaning to flourish or expand, is the best fit among the answer choices.

Example Question #682 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Most commentators considered his new love of environmentalism ________________ because of his past actions against environmentalists.

Possible Answers:

illuminating

hypocritical

exacerbating

exemplary

exceptional

Correct answer:

hypocritical

Explanation:

The switch from being "against environmentalists" to "a love of environmentalism" indicates insincerity. The correct answer should indicate that as well as the criticism implied by the sentence. "Hypocritical," meaning insincere or pretending to believe something when one does not, is the best choice.

Example Question #683 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

His mother grew concerned when the usually hyperactive boy was suddenly ___________.

Possible Answers:

exasperated

exceptionable

exuberant

loquacious

lethargic

Correct answer:

lethargic

Explanation:

The sentence indicates the mother is concerned because "the usually hyperactive boy" is acting differently. The correct answer will therefore mean without energy or tired, which is the definition of "lethargic."

Example Question #684 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

After a successful ad campaign, the company had a _______________ month for sales.

Possible Answers:

limpid

robust

demure

rotund

saccharin

Correct answer:

robust

Explanation:

The key word in the sentence is "successful," which indicates the sales were similarly excellent. The correct answer will be a word indicating those good sales and describing their strength. "Robust," meaning healthy and strong, is the best choice.

Example Question #685 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The playful puppy was surprisingly __________________ during his obedience training.

Possible Answers:

transgressive

tractable

irksome

irascible

obstreperous

Correct answer:

tractable

Explanation:

The missing word is contrasted with "playful," and the behavior described by the answer occurs during "obedience training." The correct answer will mean dutiful or obedient, the definition of "tractable."

Example Question #686 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The kitchen, with its strong peppers and vibrant sauces, was a wonderful _____________ experience.

Possible Answers:

olfactory

auditory

hallucinatory

pragmatic

intellectual

Correct answer:

olfactory

Explanation:

The sentence specifically pulls out the peppers and sauces of the kitchen. The correct answer will relate to the experience of those items. "Olfactory," meaning concerned with the sense of smell, is the best choice.

Example Question #1001 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The crew still had to run tests to determine if the liquid was ________________ and nontoxic.

Possible Answers:

opaque

potable

obtuse

egregious

ambiguous

Correct answer:

potable

Explanation:

The sentence pairs the missing word with "nontoxic;" therefore, the correct answer will be similar in meaning to "nontoxic." "Potable," meaning suitable for drinking, is the best choice.

Example Question #687 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

A trim man as a youth, he grew more and more _______________ as he aged.

Possible Answers:

palaver

rotund

slender

lithe

vigorous

Correct answer:

rotund

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts the subject's trim physique as a younger man with the missing word.  The correct answer will indicate he is physically unfit. "Rotund," meaning large and round, is the best choice among the answers.

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