All GRE Verbal Resources
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.
benign
uncompromising
indifferent
malevolent
malevolent
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.
complacent
reclusive
importunate
immoderate
nonplussed
importunate
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.
authentic
disingenuous
sycophantic
candid
complacent
disingenuous
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.
enduring
fortifying
evanescent
fortuitous
probable
evanescent
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.
material
intangible
concrete
throwaway
insincere
intangible
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.
powerful
indifferent
distant
proximate
callous
proximate
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.
reclusive
pugnacious
debilitating
passive
cowardly
pugnacious
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.
gregarious
personable
affable
gauche
immaculate
gauche
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.
inane
mundane
heterodox
orthodox
vulgar
heterodox
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.
mannered
callow
slovenly
discombobulated
intractable
mannered
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.