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 #791 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The encounter with the CEO was __________, as it directly led to the college student getting a job.

Possible Answers:

ominous

histrionic

innocuous

fortuitous

nondescript

Correct answer:

fortuitous

Explanation:

The meeting "directly led" to a job, making it a lucky break for the college student. The correct answer needs to reflect this element of luck. "Fortuitous," meaning happening by chance, is the best choice.

Example Question #792 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

His __________ recordkeeping made the company able to track every sale it ever made.

Possible Answers:

erratic

supercilious

mercurial

obscure

meticulous

Correct answer:

meticulous

Explanation:

The company's ability "to track every sale" meants the subject of the sentence kept very good records. The correct answer should mean extremely careful and precise, the definition of "meticulous."

Example Question #793 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

His __________ attitude towards women prevented him from having any serious relationships.

Possible Answers:

irreproachable

sage

perceptive

perspicacious

puerile

Correct answer:

puerile

Explanation:

The subject's attitude towards women is preventing him from having "serious relationships." The correct answer needs to show how detrimental his attitude is. "Puerile," meaning immature and childish, is the best choice.

Example Question #794 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The __________ nature of the storms meant the meant the area received little consistent rainfall.

Possible Answers:

sporadic

potent

predictable

pervasive

belligerent

Correct answer:

sporadic

Explanation:

The sentence notes there was "little consistent rainfall." The storms that produce the rain would be similarly inconsistent. "Sporadic," meaning not continous and intermittent, is the correct answer.

Example Question #795 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

His __________ writing style did not adapt well to short-form journalism.

Possible Answers:

succinct

exemplary

meticulous

verbose

astute

Correct answer:

verbose

Explanation:

The subject's "writing style" is not compatible with "short-form journalism." As the correct answer describes the style, it needs to clash with the principles of the "short-form." "Verbose," meaning overly wordy and long winded, is the best choice.

Example Question #796 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Thanks to an __________ examination, every detail of the company's expenses was analyzed.

Possible Answers:

insipid

extraneous

eloquent

erratic

assiduous

Correct answer:

assiduous

Explanation:

The key phrase in the sentence is "every detail." This indicates the examination looked at all elements of "the company's expenses." "Assiduous," meaning thorough and dilligent, is the correct answer.

Example Question #821 : One Blank Texts

The patient veered wildly between a noticeable dementia and __________ throughts.

Possible Answers:

hypocritical

cogent

eccentric

eclectic

tottering

Correct answer:

cogent

Explanation:

The "patient veered wildly," meaning the missing word has to reflect a real difference from "noticeable dementia." The correct answer should mean well thought out and lucid, the definition of "cogent."

Example Question #822 : One Blank Texts

The __________ parties could rarely be brought to the negotiating table.

Possible Answers:

tractable

innocuous

ambivalent

affable

fractious

Correct answer:

fractious

Explanation:

The parties have trouble reaching "the negotiating table," which indicates they do not get along. The correct answer must reflect their disagreement. "Fractious," meaning irritable and unruly, is the best choice.

Example Question #823 : One Blank Texts

For the awkward boys, the popular girls remained an __________ presence beyond their comprehension.

Possible Answers:

omnipotent

inscrutable

ominous

illuminating

olfactory

Correct answer:

inscrutable

Explanation:

The sentence outright states the "popular girls" were "beyond their comprehension" for the boys. The correct answer must further this incomprehensibility. "Inscrutable," meaning mysterious and impenetrable, is the best fit among the choices.

Example Question #824 : One Blank Texts

No flaw went unnoticed thanks to the director's __________ nature.

Possible Answers:

fractious

erratic

irreproachable

dogmatic

punctilious

Correct answer:

punctilious

Explanation:

The director notices every flaw, a habit described by the missing word. The correct answer must mean paying attention to small details, the definition of "punctilious."

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