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 #861 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Despite his popular appeal and acclaim among critics, the writer remained __________, preferring the solitude of his own home to public book signings and colloquia with other famed writers.

Possible Answers:

affable

courteous

convivial

misanthropic

genial

Correct answer:

misanthropic

Explanation:

"Courteous," "convivial," "genial," and "affable" could all be used to describe someone polite or friendly. Only "misanthropic," meaning antisocial, could describe someone like the writer in question.

Example Question #862 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Although sentimental readers find the intricate plot of the romance Gone with the Wind to be riveting, more pragmatic thinkers find the long story to be __________.

Possible Answers:

stirring

primitive

elementary

soporific

evocative

Correct answer:

soporific

Explanation:

"Elementary" and "primitive" both mean basic, which contradicts the idea that the plot of the novel is "intricate." "Evocative" and "stirring," both meaning exciting, draw no contrast with the word "riveting," but it is clear from the word "although" that pragmatic thinkers and sentimental readers are supposed feel differently about the novel. Thus "soporific," meaning dull or inducing sleep, is the best choice.

Example Question #863 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Once a __________ term for a supposed anarchist, the term "punk" has evolved to describe a rich subculture, with an emphasis on individual freedom.

Possible Answers:

commendation

pejorative

deference

indifference

adulation

Correct answer:

pejorative

Explanation:

So it is possible that "punk" was meant to be a term of "deference," meaning respect. It is also possible it was meant to be a term of "adulation" or "commendation," meaning praise. It could possibly also be a term of "indifference," meaning detachment, but given that it was meant to describe someone who might be anti-government, it is more likely that the term "punk" was once a "pejorative," a term of disparagement.

Example Question #864 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Rescued from his neglectful owner, the dog, though he already appeared to be __________, was found to be far more chronically underweight than expected after further medical attention.

Possible Answers:

emaciated

gluttonous

ponderous

rabid

voracious

Correct answer:

emaciated

Explanation:

"Ponderous", meaning hefty, could probably not be used to describe an underweight dog. "Rabid" might describe a dog who has suffered neglect, but the sentence seems to want to emphasize his weight more than anything. "Gluttonous" and "voracious," both meaning greedy or hungry, might describe this underweight dog. But "emaciated," meaning starved, is probably the best choice.

Example Question #865 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Unhindered by the threat of imprisonment or physical abuse at the hands of law enforcement, Susan B. Anthony was __________ in her efforts to secure women's suffrage.

Possible Answers:

vigorous

apathetic

unenthused

infallible

lackadaisical

Correct answer:

vigorous

Explanation:

It is unlikely that Susan B. Anthony was "unenthused," or not excited, in her fight for women's suffrage, because she was not even deterred by beatings or prison. The idea that she was "lackadaisical," or lazy, in her efforts is also unlikely. "Apathetic," meaning indifferent, is also not a good descriptor for this woman. She could be "infallible," meaning flawless, in her efforts, but the sentence seems to want to stress her energy and perseverence more than her flawlessness. Thus "vigorous," meaning marked by force, is the best choice.

Example Question #866 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Some people certainly pursue philanthropic projects for more __________ reasons such as a desire for recognition than for the simple joy of helping others.

Possible Answers:

unadulterated

principled

mercenary

scrupulous

honorable

Correct answer:

mercenary

Explanation:

"Unadulterated," "honorable," "principled," and "scrupulous" would describe the motivator of the joy of helping others. "Mercenary," meaning motivated by desire for gain, makes the most sense.

Example Question #931 : Text Completion

My father was a man of simple tastes, and even as his means grew, he never wanted to abandon his modest house for more __________ accomodations.

Possible Answers:

unostentiatious

unadorned

baroque

squalid

begrimed

Correct answer:

baroque

Explanation:

"Unadorned" and "unostentatious" both mean not showy, so those would be characteristics of a modest house, and we want something to describe the opposite of this. "Squalid" and "begrimed" both describe very filthy and impoverished conditions. These are not conditions that one would take on as one's means grew. "Baroque," meaning lavish or extravagant, is the best choice.

Example Question #932 : Text Completion

As English language speakers, we enjoy a luxury of a(n) __________ store of vocabulary, capable of conveying countless concepts with a wide variety in nuance.

Possible Answers:

comprehensive

mediocre

sparing

frugal

unremarkable

Correct answer:

comprehensive

Explanation:

"Frugal" and "sparing" both mean lacking, but the point of this sentence is that English has a lot of different types of words, so these choices do not make sense. "Mediocre" and "unremarkable" mean average or ordinary, so also do not make sense since the sentence is about the vast capabilities of English expression. "Comprehensive," meaning extensive, is the best choice.

Example Question #933 : Text Completion

His __________ approach to life eventually caught up with him when he aged quickly.

Possible Answers:

disingenuous

pragmatic

intemperate

measured

irreproachable

Correct answer:

intemperate

Explanation:

The sentence directly ties the subject's lifestyle, described by the missing word, to the fact that he "aged quickly." This means the correct answer will indicate that the subject's lifestyle was destructive or problematic. "Intemperate," meaning excessive or immoderate, is the best choice.

Example Question #934 : Text Completion

After her first break up, the teenager spent a month being __________ and never smiling.

Possible Answers:

effervescent

garrulous

obstreperous

lugubrious

ebullient

Correct answer:

lugubrious

Explanation:

The sentence gives two clues to the missing word, both the "break up" and the teenager's "never smiling" after it. This means the correct answer will mean sad or depressive, the definition of "lugubrious."

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