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 #765 : One Blank Texts

She was always ______________, and never listened to any advice as a child.

Possible Answers:

willful

wispy

demure

tractable

ambiguous

Correct answer:

willful

Explanation:

The key description in the sentence is that she "never listened to any advice." The correct answer will therefore mean stubborn or determined, which is the definition of "willful."

Example Question #115 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The old man was ____________ to the whole neighborhood, and always helped anyone in need.

Possible Answers:

cynical

reclusive

benevolent

irascible

suspect

Correct answer:

benevolent

Explanation:

The old man "helped anyone in need." The correct answer needs to match the help he gave.  "Benevolent," meaning kindly or good, is the best fit among the answers.

Example Question #741 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

His ___________________ appearance covered up an inner nervousness.

Possible Answers:

ebullient

transient

pertinent

petulant

nonchalant

Correct answer:

nonchalant

Explanation:

The subject's appearance helps mask "inner nervousness." The correct answer will then be the opposite of "nervousness." "Nonchalant," meaning calm and indifferent, is the best choice.

Example Question #741 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Few pundits gave the older boxer a chance, but the ________________ veteran managed to outsmart his young opponent.

Possible Answers:

decrepit

tranquil

pious

zealous

wily

Correct answer:

wily

Explanation:

The sentence mentions the veteran's ability to "outsmart" his opponent.  The correct answer will describe how the older boxer is able to do this. "Wily," meaning cunning and clever, is the best choice.

Example Question #742 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The town was worried about the stranger, even though his intentions were ___________.

Possible Answers:

salacious

benign

erratic

lecherous

grave

Correct answer:

benign

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts the town's worry with the intentions of the stranger, described by the missing word. The correct answer will mean good or nonthreatening. "Benign," meaning harmless or kind, is the best choice.

Example Question #743 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

He was astonishingly _________________, and frequently offended people as soon as he met them.

Possible Answers:

tranquil

wily

nonchalant

sagacious

guileless

Correct answer:

guileless

Explanation:

The subject "frequently offended people," and the missing words indicates why. The correct answer will be a word noting an attitude that will offend people. "Guileless," meaning clumsily and straightforwardly honest, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #744 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

His mood had improved, and he remained ___________ for the rest of the evening.

Possible Answers:

jaundiced

cynical

reclusive

jocular

lethargic

Correct answer:

jocular

Explanation:

The subject's "mood had improved," which resulted in him becoming the mood described by the missing word. The correct answer will indicate happiness and good feelings. "Jocular," meaning joking and lighthearted, is the best choice.

Example Question #745 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The military research headquarters was actually in a _________________ warehouse to fend off prying eyes.

Possible Answers:

baroque

portentous

nondescript

lavish

ebullient

Correct answer:

nondescript

Explanation:

The building has to "fend off prying eyes" because of the research it is conducting. The correct answer will indicate the attempt to put off onlookers or deflect attention. "Nondescript," meaning ordinary and without any notable features, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #746 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

With the hire of a new salesman, the long time employee worried he was now ______________.

Possible Answers:

supercilious

redundant

nondescript

germinal

bourgeois

Correct answer:

redundant

Explanation:

The "hire of a new salesman" has a direct impact on the old employee's job. The correct answer will indicate the old employee's new irrelevance. "Redundant," meaning unnecessary and repetitive, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #747 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

His mother was worried his odd mannerisms made him ______________ to bullying from classmates.

Possible Answers:

posthumous

redundant

ambiguous

nebulous

susceptible

Correct answer:

susceptible

Explanation:

The boy's mother is concerned about the connection of his peers' bullying to his odd mannerisms. The correct answer needs to mean vulnerable or at risk of, the definition of "susceptible."

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