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 #1241 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

Possible Answers:

propitious

affable

bellicose

cordial

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 #1242 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

Possible Answers:

customary

aberrant

routine

familiar

Correct answer:

aberrant

Explanation:

"Aberrant" means abnormal or anomalous.

Example Question #1243 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

Possible Answers:

pungent

banal

insipid

tame

Correct answer:

pungent

Explanation:

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

Example Question #1244 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

Possible Answers:

boisterous

serene

placid

harmonious

Correct answer:

boisterous

Explanation:

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

Example Question #1245 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

Possible Answers:

luminous

stygian

ethereal

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 #1246 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

Possible Answers:

docile

meek

compliant

recalcitrant

Correct answer:

recalcitrant

Explanation:

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

Example Question #1001 : Text Completion

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

Possible Answers:

saturnine

congenial

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

translucent

opaque

unabridged

smooth

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:

perfunctory

apposite

appalling

antiquated

quaint

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:

remarkable

excessive

quotidian

rare

seminal

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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