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 #731 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

After the illness made her unable to eat solid foods, she looked _____________.

Possible Answers:

ordained

embroiled

consecrated

engrossed

emaciated

Correct answer:

emaciated

Explanation:

The sentence notes she was "unable to eat solid foods," and then uses the missing word. The correct answer will indicate she looked under fed or malnourished. "Emaciated," meaning very thin or withered, is the best choice.

Example Question #732 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Weeks after going to the beach, his shoes were still ______________ with sand.

Possible Answers:

benign

redundant

poised

lacquered

gritty

Correct answer:

gritty

Explanation:

The sand makes the shoes become the missing word. Sand is coarse an uncomfortable in shoes, and the correct answer should reflect this. "Gritty," meaning rough and coarse, is the best fit among the choices.

Example Question #105 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The Congressman preferred _________________ statements on the issue to avoid giving away how he would vote.

Possible Answers:

contrite

ambiguous

cogent

jingoistic

acrimonious

Correct answer:

ambiguous

Explanation:

The Congressman is trying "to avoid giving away how he would vote," so his statements will presumably be unclear. "Ambiguous," meaning uncertain or unclear, is the correct answer.

Example Question #106 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The new charity sought to tap into the ___________________ desires of the city's wealthy.

Possible Answers:

lascivious

susceptible

nomadic

salacious

philanthropic

Correct answer:

philanthropic

Explanation:

The key word in the sentence is "charity," and indicates that the "desires" relate to giving.  The correct answer will mean supportive of charities and helping others, the definition of philanthropic.

Example Question #107 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

Some people blamed his _______________ demeanor on a childhood experience, but others just thought he was mean.

Possible Answers:

demure

affable

contrite

surly

candid

Correct answer:

surly

Explanation:

The man is outright described as "mean," so the missing word will in some way be a synonym of "mean." Of all the answer choices, "surly," meaning grumpy or rude, is the best fit.

Example Question #108 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The stories often took place in a _______________ realm that distorted reality.

Possible Answers:

gritty

whimsical

alchemical

philistine

histrionic

Correct answer:

whimsical

Explanation:

The sentence says the realm changes reality.  The correct answer will indicat that the realm is odd or fantastical. "Whimsical," meaning fanciful and imaginative, is the best choice.

Example Question #733 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The scandalized politician appeared _____________, and hoped the voters would accept his apology.

Possible Answers:

susceptible

bellicose

congenial

contrite

irascible

Correct answer:

contrite

Explanation:

The last phrase of the sentence mentions the politician's "apology," and pairs it with the missing word. The correct answer needs to indicate an apologetic tone, which is the definition of "contrite."

Example Question #734 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Early humans all lived a _____________ existence, traveling to find food where they could.

Possible Answers:

nomadic

philanthropic

trivial

jubilant

nonchalant

Correct answer:

nomadic

Explanation:

The sentence focuses on "early humans . . . traveling to find food." The correct answer will describe this traveling. "Nomadic," meaning to wander from place to place, is the best answer choice.

Example Question #735 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The student's speech was _____________ of the ideas championed by the political theory he had been reading.

Possible Answers:

ambivalent

indifferent

redolent

ironic

irreproachable

Correct answer:

redolent

Explanation:

The "ideas championed" are clearly present in the speech, which the structure of the sentence indicates. The correct answer needs to demonstrate their influence. "Redolent," meaning smelling of, (but used here metaphorically), is the best choice.

Example Question #736 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

He _______________ gave money to one candidate, while publicly supporting her opponent.

Possible Answers:

flagrantly

salaciously

surreptitiously

immoderately

egregiously

Correct answer:

surreptitiously

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with "publicly." The correct answer wiill then indicate he was giving money quietly or covertly. "Surreptitiously," meaning sneaky or stealthy, is the best choice.

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