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 #955 : One Blank Texts

The __________ voices on the playground made the teachers rush to break up any potential fights.

Possible Answers:

bellicose

affable

cordial

propitious

Correct answer:

bellicose

Explanation:

A "bellicose" voice is a belligerent or hostile one, which would lead the teachers to assume there is a fight on the playground.

Example Question #956 : One Blank Texts

The teacher was usually quite good; forgetting to print off the day's test was __________ behavior. 

Possible Answers:

aberrant

familiar

routine

customary

Correct answer:

aberrant

Explanation:

"Aberrant" means abnormal or anomalous.

Example Question #957 : One Blank Texts

The diner complained about the stentch of the salad until the waiter explained that feta is a very __________ cheese.

Possible Answers:

insipid

banal

tame

pungent

Correct answer:

pungent

Explanation:

"Pungent" means to have a strong smell or taste.

Example Question #958 : One Blank Texts

The hockey team was rather __________ after winning the game yelling in the streets and knocking over trashcans. 

Possible Answers:

serene

harmonious

placid

boisterous

Correct answer:

boisterous

Explanation:

To be "boisterous" means to be loud, raucous, or noisy.

Example Question #959 : One Blank Texts

The __________ night was the perfect time to dig a hole in which to bury the treasure.

Possible Answers:

stygian

ethereal

luminous

effulgent

Correct answer:

stygian

Explanation:

"Stygian" is dark or gloomy. If the night is dark or gloomy, it's a great time to dig a secret hole in which to bury treasure. 

Example Question #960 : One Blank Texts

The __________ old man was never listened to the retirement home's head nurse and often threw tantrums. 

Possible Answers:

meek

compliant

docile

recalcitrant

Correct answer:

recalcitrant

Explanation:

To be "recalcitrant" means to resist authority, or to be defiant and rebellious

Example Question #1241 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

When the doctor walked into the waiting room, his __________ face made it clear that the surgery had not gone as planned. 

Possible Answers:

congenial

saturnine

amiable

cordial

Correct answer:

saturnine

Explanation:

"Saturnine" means gloomy, dark, or melancholy.

Example Question #931 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Although the cover was __________, the old book's text was still quite readable.

Possible Answers:

abraded

smooth

opaque

unabridged

translucent

Correct answer:

abraded

Explanation:

The sentence describes an "old book" which is "quite readable," despite the condition of the cover, described by the missing word.  This indicates the correct answer will indicate that the cover was damaged in some fashion.  "Abraded," meaning worn away or eroded, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #932 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

It was deemed old-fashioned, but the school thought it __________ for all their students to wear blazers.

Possible Answers:

antiquated

appalling

perfunctory

quaint

apposite

Correct answer:

apposite

Explanation:

While the first clause in the sentence calls the students wearing blazers "old-fashioned," the structure of the sentence indicates the school thinks differently.  The correct answer should show the school's belief in the practice, despite the criticism. "Apposite," meaning suitable and appropriate, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #933 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The __________ nature of undercover police work is rarely shown in glamorous media portrayals of cirme figting.

Possible Answers:

seminal

quotidian

remarkable

excessive

rare

Correct answer:

quotidian

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with the "glamorous media protrayals." This means the correct answer will mean boring and unglamorous. "Quotidian," meaning everyday and commonplace, is the best choice among the answers.

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