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 #881 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Although it recycled concepts from previous work, the musical arrangment was heralded by critics as __________.
ingenuous
stolid
esoteric
innovative
nebulous
innovative
The "although" here is a clue—it shows that despite using old material, the composition is the opposite of that. "Innovative" is the correct answer, meaning "advanced and original, featuring new methods." Don't confuse "ingenuous" with "ingenious"—it means "innocent."
Example Question #882 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Volatile and __________, the President changed the administration's policies frequently.
capricious
esurient
bucolic
sententious
bromidic
capricious
The conjunction "and", as well as the comma, are clues here. So we're looking for a word that refers both to being volatile (changing rapidly and unpredictably) and changing frequently—the same thing. "Capricious" fits best—meaning "given to sudden changes in mood or behavior."
Example Question #883 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The guitar student in the apartment adjoining ours had __________ talent; although the music reaching our apartment was anything but mellifluous, we could tell he possessed a latent sense of rhythm and musicality.
conspicuous
repressed
dubitable
inchoate
precocious
inchoate
The sentence states that although the guitar student doesn't produce beautiful music at the moment, he is advancing in his musical abilities. Thus, he has inchoate talent that is being formed.
Example Question #884 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Although Stephanie was normally loquacious, her teacher's incessant scolding due to her disruptive nature caused her to be more __________ during history class.
loquacious
duplicitous
reticent
insouciant
mettlesome
reticent
Since she was normally gregarious or sociable, Stephanie's teacher needed to scold her for being too talkative. Thus, to eliminate the scolding, Stephanie was "reticent," or reserved, during class.
Example Question #885 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
After seeing her new and improved complexion, Sara's friends thought her glow was undoubtedly due to her recent switch to __________ vegetarian meals.
indulgent
banal
salubrious
saccharine
insipid
salubrious
Based upon the statement that Sara has a glow due to her new diet, it indicates her diet is healthy and she is partaking in "salubrious" vegetarian meals.
Example Question #886 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Unlike her neighbors who ostentatiously displayed their wealth with grandiose sculptures on their front lawn, Brittney was simple and preferred a(n) __________ style of living.
miserly
urbane
epicurean
aristocratic
ascetic
ascetic
The key word in the sentence is "simple," which suggests that Brittney prefers an "ascetic," or simple, way of living to that of her indulgent neighbors. Miserly suggests a stingy way of living and based upon the statement, this would not be the best answer.
Example Question #887 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Although a doctoral student would typically be distraught if his or her doctoral thesis was not approved after years of research, this particular doctoral candidate simply gave a shrug and said a few __________ remarks to the panel before exiting the conference room.
cavalier
incredulous
incoherent
histrionic
derisive
cavalier
Since the doctoral student seemed unconcerned after his or her thesis was rejected by the panel, the student most likely made "cavalier" remarks or offhand statements.
Example Question #888 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Rather than using verbose descriptions in the pamphlet about local environmental concerns, the technical writer instead gave __________ descriptions of the key conservation issues, much to the appreciation of those reading the pamphlet.
colloquial
pedantic
esoteric
florid
laconic
laconic
The author of the pamphlet uses a writing style that is the opposite of verbose writing; this indicates that he has an economical style of writing with "laconic" descriptions.
Example Question #1201 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
William Wordsworth describes __________ days spent amidst nature and nature's tranquility in his literary works, particularly in the well-known poem entitled Daffodils.
halcyon
lugubrious
ephemeral
wanton
enervating
halcyon
In his poems, Wordsworth writes about halcyon days spent in the serenity and calm of nature. Thus, the best fit in describing his naturalistic poetry is to describe the days he portrays as halcyon.
Example Question #1202 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The __________ boxer often took his fighting outside the ring, getting into minor scuffles everywhere he went.
phlegmatic
torpid
insular
noisome
bellicose
bellicose
We're looking for a word that describes the boxer as being very war-like and eager to fight, so the answer is "bellicose," which means exactly that—aggressive and willing to fight.
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