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 #1211 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Despite gestures of good will, the new CEO was continually seen as a rather __________ presence to her employeees.

Possible Answers:

benign

uncompromising

indifferent

malevolent

Correct answer:

malevolent

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts the missing word with "good will." This means the correct answer will in some way mean the opposite of "good will." "Malevolent," meaning intrinsically and irreversibly evil, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #1212 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The young boy was remarkably __________, and always bothered his parents until he got what he wanted.

Possible Answers:

complacent

reclusive

importunate

immoderate

nonplussed

Correct answer:

importunate

Explanation:

The boy's has "always bothered his parents," which the sentence's structure indicates is a near definition for the missing word.  The correct answer should mean persistent and annoying, which is the definition of "importunate." 

Example Question #1213 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The defendant was seen by the jury as __________, and they specifically mentioned they believed the police's account more.

Possible Answers:

authentic

disingenuous

sycophantic

candid

complacent

Correct answer:

disingenuous

Explanation:

The jury "believed the police's account more," which means they felt the defendant was less trustworthy. The correct answer must indicate that the jury was not entirely certain about the defendant's story. "Disingenuous," meaning insincere or deceitful, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #1214 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Her good moods were __________, and she usually walked around with a sour temperament.

Possible Answers:

enduring

fortifying

evanescent

fortuitous

probable

Correct answer:

evanescent

Explanation:

The "good moods" are explicitly contrasted with her "sour temperament" being what "she usually walked around with" in her life. The correct answer will indicate the "good moods" are not permanent or customary.  "Evanescent," meaning short lived and fleeting, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #1215 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The employment recruiter admitted resumes did not always help, and that he looked for __________ elements in prospective employees.

Possible Answers:

material

intangible

concrete

throwaway

insincere

Correct answer:

intangible

Explanation:

While there are some clues in the sentence, particularly that the recruiter thought "resumes did not always help," the answer choices provide an opportunity to rule out answers.  "Throwaway" and "insincere" are synonyms, as are "concrete" and "material," which means they would give the same meaning to the sentence and cannot be correct answers.  "Intangible," meaning abstract or impossible to define, is the best choice.

Example Question #1216 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The __________ communities strongly objected to the municipality's decision to move their waste to outlying areas.

Possible Answers:

powerful

indifferent

distant

proximate

callous

Correct answer:

proximate

Explanation:

Since the communities described by the missing word have "strongly objected," then "indifferent" and "callous" can be ruled out. Similarly, a "powerful" or "distant" community would have no need to object over a waste problem. "Proximate," meaning near and immediate, is the best choice.

Example Question #1214 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The boy's __________ nature meant he got in more than his share of fights.

Possible Answers:

reclusive

pugnacious

debilitating

passive

cowardly

Correct answer:

pugnacious

Explanation:

The best clue in the sentence is that the boy "got in more than his share of fights." This indicates the best answer will have to do with fighting. "Pugnacious," meaning aggressive and ready to fight, is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #1214 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

His __________ manner at public events usually embarassed his much more proper wife.

Possible Answers:

gregarious

personable

affable

gauche

immaculate

Correct answer:

gauche

Explanation:

The subject stands in contrast to "his much more proper wife."  This means his manner, which is also described as "embarrasing," is decidedly not proper. "Gauche," meaning awkward or tacky, is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #901 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The football coach's __________ approach to training surprised all the players used to more traditional methods.

Possible Answers:

inane

mundane

heterodox

orthodox

vulgar

Correct answer:

heterodox

Explanation:

The key word in the sentence is "traditional," as the sentence is constructed to contrast the missing word with it.  All of the other information, about football, coaching, and training methods, is unnecessary to find the correct answer. "Heterodox," meaning unorthodox and against tradition, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #902 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

She was noted for being extremely __________, and always had every article of clothing in place.

Possible Answers:

mannered

callow

slovenly

discombobulated

intractable

Correct answer:

mannered

Explanation:

The subject has a careful approach to her appearance, with "every article of clothing in place." This indicates she was always making sure to look appropriate. "Mannered," meaning stylized and affected, is the best choice among the answers.

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