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 #935 : Text Completion

He was __________ at the shocking news, and refused to talk for months afterward.

Possible Answers:

nonplussed

exasperated

reproofed

disinterested

unenthused

Correct answer:

nonplussed

Explanation:

The subject's reaction to the news meant he "refused to talk for months afterward." This means the correct answer needs to carry an appropriate sense of bewilderment. "Nonplussed," meaning confused or completely shocked, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #936 : Text Completion

His __________ attempt at impressing his date with his magic skills ruined any chance he had at a second date.

Possible Answers:

nascent

artless

fortuitous

adroit

nimble

Correct answer:

artless

Explanation:

The subject's magic tricks "ruined any chance he had at a second date." This means his date was not impressed with his magic, and it was highly unsuccessful. "Artless," meaning lacking in skill or clumsy, is the correct answer.

Example Question #937 : Text Completion

The ignorant utterances were shocking to hear from someone as __________ as the lawyer.

Possible Answers:

erudite

boorish

obsequious

noisome

mundane

Correct answer:

erudite

Explanation:

"The ignorant utterances" are a "surprise" when coming from the lawyer, who is described by the missing word. The correct answer will therefore mean the opposite of "ignorant." "Erudite," meaning well learned or scholarly, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #938 : Text Completion

The usually cheerful girl became quite __________ after her grandmother's passing.

Possible Answers:

irksome

excitable

affable

gregarious

plaintive

Correct answer:

plaintive

Explanation:

The structure of the sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with the girl's "usually cheerful" nature. The correct answer will be an antonym of "cheerful" in some manner. "Plaintive," meaning sad or mournful, is the best choice.

Example Question #939 : Text Completion

The Duchess of Devonshire Georgiana Spencer enjoyed an enormous amount of influence, with her fashions and political opinions often being __________ among the masses.

Possible Answers:

spurned

prevalent

rebuffed

disdained

disregarded

Correct answer:

prevalent

Explanation:

If Georgiana Spencer's ideas were to be "rebuffed" or "spurned," that would indicate that they had been rejected by the greater populace. On the other hand, if her ideas were "disregarded," that would mean that they had been ignored. And had they been "disdained," her ideas would have been hated by most people. Thus "prevalent," meaning widespread, is the best choice.

Example Question #940 : Text Completion

Ebenezer Scrooge, the avaricious protagonist of Charles Dickens' A Christms Carol, commences the novel as an incredibly self-serving character, doing only what was __________ to his own financial interests.

Possible Answers:

unhelpful

inimical

detrimental

beneficial

disadvantageous

Correct answer:

beneficial

Explanation:

Self-interested Scrooge would be doing things that were good for his financial interests, but "detrimental to," "disadvantageous to," "inimical to," and "unhelpful to" all mean bad for. "Beneficial" means advantageous and is definitely the best choice.

Example Question #1189 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Trying to maximize the natural light in her room while still maintaining privacy, Susan chose her fabric curtain to be the most __________

Possible Answers:

gossamer

stifling

impenetrable

opaque

Correct answer:

gossamer

Explanation:

Gossamer—something extremely light, flimsy, or delicate.

Example Question #1190 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The fact that she first chose blue paint, then yellow, then green reinforced Marco’s frustration with his __________ mother. 

Possible Answers:

peremptory

trenchant

decisive

capricious

Correct answer:

capricious

Explanation:

Capricious—variable; flightly; mercurial.

Example Question #1191 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

His costume, replete with stovetop hat and distinctive beard, was a convincing Abraham Lincoln; however, the digital watch on his wrist was a completely __________ prop. 

Possible Answers:

anachronistic

appurtenant

contemporary

relevant

Correct answer:

anachronistic

Explanation:

Anachronistic—not in its correct historical or chronological time; an error in chronology.

Example Question #1192 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The __________ legend about the abandoned house at the end of the block was almost certainly untrue. 

Possible Answers:

unequivocal

incontrovertible

apocryphal

indubitable

Correct answer:

apocryphal

Explanation:

Apocryphal—of doubtful authorship or authenticity.

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