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 #831 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Very few European cultures were __________, as men were firmly in control of politics, economics, and religion.

Possible Answers:

matriarchal

mutinous

polygamist

apathetic

libertarian

Correct answer:

matriarchal

Explanation:

Men being "in control" is used in reference as the opposite of the missing word, as "very few" cultures fit the description. The correct answer must mean governed by women, the definition of "matriarchal."

Example Question #832 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The old man was __________ enough never to buy anything new or at full price.

Possible Answers:

lavish

apathetic

parsimonious

immoderate

petulant

Correct answer:

parsimonious

Explanation:

If a man will "never buy anything new or at full price," he is watching his spending habits closely. The correct answer will indicate his careful approach to financial matters. "Parsimonious," meaning frugal or thrifty, is the best choice.

Example Question #833 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The __________ argument was immediately rebutted with a much more substantive one.

Possible Answers:

profound

grave

ineffable

resplendent

vacuous

Correct answer:

vacuous

Explanation:

The argument described by the missing word is contrasted with "a much more substantive one." The correct answer will mean empty or meaningless, the definition of "vacuous."

Example Question #834 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The employees were __________ about asking their boss for anything because of his volatile temper.

Possible Answers:

subversive

gratuitous

apprehensive

assertive

decisive

Correct answer:

apprehensive

Explanation:

Since the boss had a "volatile temper," asking him for things would be difficult. The correct answer will show the employees approached their boss with that difficulty in mind. "Apprehensive," meaning worried and fearful, is the best choice.

Example Question #835 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

In a new environment, people usually become __________ and gauge everyone around them before acting.

Possible Answers:

disinterested

indecisive

circumspect

lax

masochistic

Correct answer:

circumspect

Explanation:

To "gauge everyone" before taking action means that the missing word needs to indicate people judge their situation carefully. The correct answer will mean cautious or suspicious, the definition of "circumspect."

Example Question #836 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The expedition had a __________ first few weeks, with everything going wrong to delay it repeatedly.

Possible Answers:

purposeful

spurious

puerile

fitful

choleric

Correct answer:

fitful

Explanation:

Having things "delay it repeatedly" means the expedition was not moving very consistently. The correct answer will mean not continuous or inconsistent, the definition of "fitful."

Example Question #901 : Text Completion

The general was __________, and marched his army at a feverish pace.

Possible Answers:

esoteric

deferent

ambivalent

inexorable

disinterested

Correct answer:

inexorable

Explanation:

The general makes his army march "at a feverish pace." This means he is pushing them consistently hard. "Inexorable," meaning relentless and inevitable, is the correct answer.

Example Question #837 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Not a gifted speaker, his lectures were __________ rather than inspiring.

Possible Answers:

prosaic

brief

succinct

verbose

ebullient

Correct answer:

prosaic

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with "inspiring," meaning the correct answer must stand in opposition to "inspiring." "Prosaic," meaning ordinary and unimaginative, is the best choice.

Example Question #838 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The landscape engineering was a miracle that turned the area from a boggy marsh to completely __________ in just a few years.

Possible Answers:

arable

potable

barren

mired

tranquil

Correct answer:

arable

Explanation:

The land went from "a boggy marsh" to the missing word in a "miracle" of engineering. This means the correct answer will contrast with "a boggy marsh." "Arable," meaning able to be cultivated and farmed, is the best fit.

Example Question #839 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

In many cultures, insulting someone's family is such a __________ offense, it was cause relationships to stop.

Possible Answers:

flagrant

venial

pervasive

carnal

gracious

Correct answer:

flagrant

Explanation:

Causing "relationships to stop" is a strong reaction to any offense. The correct answer will make the offense strong enough to cause such a reaction. "Flagrant," meaning clearly wrong or obviously bad, is the best choice.

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