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 #743 : One Blank Texts
The newscaster was exciting as a young man, but increasingly spoke in _____________ soundbites as he grew older.
ebullient
trite
subversive
beguiling
effusive
trite
The newscaster's current style, described by the missing word, is contrasted with his "exciting" style as a young man. The correct answer will then be an antonym of "exciting." "Trite," meaning boring and overused, is the best fit among the choices.
Example Question #744 : One Blank Texts
The teacher tried to draw out the student, whose personality made him reluctant to speak up in class.
hysterical
voluble
succinct
reticent
jaunty
reticent
The student is shy/reserved, which means he is not voluble, hysterical, or jaunty. He may be succinct, but the impression is that he is shy, not just that he uses few words. He is reticent.
Example Question #745 : One Blank Texts
The two nations' _____________ rhetoric was seen as a chief reason for their fighting.
jaunty
bellicose
benign
phlegmatic
ambiguous
bellicose
The sentence outright states the two nations were fighting because of their rhetoric. The correct answer needs to indicate the hatred and posturing by the nations that would cause conflict. "Bellicose," meaning aggressive and war like, is the correct answer.
Example Question #746 : One Blank Texts
The young man wanted to be the _______________ actor, and tailored his habits after his acting role models.
subversive
consummate
contemporary
egregious
altruistic
consummate
Copying his "role models" means the young man is trying to live up to them. The correct answer will demonstrate the boys' desire to perfection as an actor. "Consummate," meaning total or supremely good, is the best choice.
Example Question #788 : Text Completion
The solution to the problem was _______________, no matter what the scientists tried.
potent
deleterious
elusive
exceptionable
irreproachable
elusive
The phrase "no matter what the scientists tried," indicates the solution was never found. The correct answer needs to demonstrate their uncertainty or fruitlessness. "Elusive," meaning difficult to grasp or pin down, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #747 : One Blank Texts
The introverted son faded into the background among his many ______________ relatives.
gregarious
supercilious
negligent
irascible
jaundiced
gregarious
The sentence contrasts the missing word with the son's "introverted" personality. The correct answer will then mean extroverted or sociable, the definition of "gregarious."
Example Question #791 : Text Completion
Years of watching legislation fail made the lobbyist _______________ about getting the initiative passed.
jaundiced
placated
ebullient
torpid
jocular
jaundiced
"Watching legislation fail" means the lobbyist would not expect the initiative to pass now. The correct answer will show the lobbyist's dejection and negativity. "Jaundiced," meaning cynical or pessimistic, is the best choice.
Example Question #792 : Text Completion
As a young girl, she was a ________________ gymnast who beat everyone her age.
substandard
superlative
supercilious
indifferent
irksome
superlative
The girl "beat everyoe her age" as a gymnast, so presumably she was quite good. The correct answer needs to indicate just how good she was. "Superlative," meaning extremely good or the very best, is the most appropriate answer choice.
Example Question #721 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
A frightened animal will often take a _______________ pose to look threatening to other animals.
exasperated
languid
jocular
belligerent
surreptitious
belligerent
The animal is both "frightened" and trying "to look threatening." The correct answer needs to reflect the animal's aggression. "Belligerent," meaning willing and looking to fight, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #794 : Text Completion
The painter was often overshadowed by _______________ artists whose fame did not outlive them.
contemporary
transient
redundant
callow
inconsequential
contemporary
The painter is compared to what must be similar artists, "whose fame did not outlive them." The comparison is to artists from the same era as the painter. "Contemporary," meaning at the same time, is the correct answer.
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