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 #751 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The basketball player appeared too _____________ to handle physical contact, but he was surprisingly muscular for being so lean.
personable
wispy
surly
rotund
robust
wispy
The player is described both as looking like he cannot take "physical contact," and that he is "lean." The correct answer needs to indicate needs to indicate that he looks thin and not very tough. "Wispy," meaning frail, delicate, and feather-like, is the best choice.
Example Question #752 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
In his personal life, he was usually quite pleasant, but on a football field he became positively ______________.
ingratiating
effusive
affable
personable
bestial
bestial
The sentence is structured so as to contrast the missing word with "pleasant." The correct answer will in some way be an antonym of "quite pleasant." "Bestial," meaning animal-like or inhuman, is the best choice.
Example Question #753 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The paper was trampled under foot, becoming _________________ and damaged.
emaciated
erratic
corrugated
poised
phlegmatic
corrugated
The paper is described as "damaged" after it was "trampled under foot." The correct answer will indicate some way it was damaged. "Corrugated," meaning folded repeatedly and sharply, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #1066 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
In his old age, he became quite ________________ about a youth he never enjoyed at the time.
altruistic
erratic
philanthropic
wistful
sycophantic
wistful
The man changed his outlook on his youth as he aged, and the missing word describes the view he now has. "Wistful," meaning to look back longingly on, is the correct answer.
Example Question #754 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The speech argued that the sacrifice of soldiers in a righteous cause could make the bloodiest battlefield _________________.
hallowed
petrified
elucidated
advocated
novel
hallowed
The phrase "in a righteous cause" is the best key to finding the correct answer. The missing word needs to reflect the "righteous cause" appropriately. "Hallowed," meaning consecrated or made holy, is the best fit.
Example Question #1068 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
At the news of their court victory, the plaintiffs were ________________.
irascible
aloof
jubilant
beguiling
belligerent
jubilant
The plaintiffs have just heard they were victorious in court. Such news inspires a good deal of happiness. "Jubilant," meaning ecstatic and delighted, is the correct answer.
Example Question #821 : Text Completion
She was noted as being the most __________________ woman in town, as she vistited holy shrines regularly.
potable
notorious
infamous
erratic
pious
pious
The missing word is elaborated on by the phrase "visited holy shrines regularly." The correct answer needs to indicate the woman was extremely religious, the definition of "pious."
Example Question #1070 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Many therapists encourage _______________ methods to promote human contact with their patients.
aloof
reclusive
erratic
bestial
tactile
tactile
The key phrase in the sentence is "human contact." The correct answer needs to relate to "human contact" in some way. "Tactile," meaning related to the sense of touch, is the best fit.
Example Question #755 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
He had a reputation of being _______________ as a young man, but he became a serene presence in his twilight years.
taciturn
zany
poised
mundane
reclusive
zany
The sentence contrasts the man's "serence presence" as he aged, with his younger reputation. The correct answer will mean the opposite of "serene." "Zany," meaning crazy or wacky, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #756 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The general only adopted unusual methods when it became clear _____________ strategies would not work.
obscure
novel
conventional
erratic
quirky
conventional
The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with the general's "unusual methods." The correct answer will effectively mean usual. "Conventional," meaning common or customary, is the correct answer.
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