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 #951 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The teacher believed the poor student had __________ intelligence other teachers had not brought out in him, but that she could.

Possible Answers:

explosive

limpid

latent

palpable

torrential

Correct answer:

latent

Explanation:

The sentence describes the teacher thinking she could "bring out" the intelligence in the "poor student." This means the missing word has to indicate something hidden or underdeveloped, the definition of "latent."

Example Question #952 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The __________ animal was an easy target for the predators hunting the pack.

Possible Answers:

veiled

unobtrusive

plodding

concealed

problematic

Correct answer:

plodding

Explanation:

The animal described by the missing word is an "easy target" for predators, who are presumably looking for the obvious animal. The correct answer should make the subject of the sentence stick out in some way. "Plodding," meaning exremely slow and heavy, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #953 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The time it took to travel to the wedding was __________ and meant he could not attend.

Possible Answers:

negotiable

modest

unassuming

unprepossessing

prohibitive

Correct answer:

prohibitive

Explanation:

The subject of the sentence "could not attend" the wedding, because of the travel requirements. The correct answer will indicate the travel was problematic or there wa a great deal of it. "Prohibitive," meaning exorbitantly expensive or impossible, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #954 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The film followed the familiar trope where an unattractive girl gets a makeover into a highly __________ woman.

Possible Answers:

mitigating

complicating

enervating

arresting

duping

Correct answer:

arresting

Explanation:

The sentence describes "the familiar trope" of woman changing from "an unattractive girl" into a woman described by the missing word. The correct answer will mean the opposite of "unattractive." "Arresting," meaning attracting attention or striking, is the best chocie among the answers.

Example Question #955 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The mother was extremely __________ and sought to play off her children's emotions.

Possible Answers:

perfunctory

generous

manipulative

indigent

pithy

Correct answer:

manipulative

Explanation:

The sentence describes the woman as seeking to "play off her children's emotions." The correct answer needs to parallel this playing of emotions. "Manipulative," meaning scheming and calculating, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #956 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The musician was highly __________, and few critics understood what he would do next.

Possible Answers:

dull

enigmatic

mundane

psychotic

restorative

Correct answer:

enigmatic

Explanation:

The key words in the sentence are that "few critics understood" the musician. The correct answer should indicate an unpredictability or strangeness to the musician's career. "Enigmatic," which means puzzling or mysterious, which is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #957 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The boys' attempts to take the car were almost admirably __________, as they were nearly certain to be caught.

Possible Answers:

serene

foolhardy

perspicacious

irreproachable

clever

Correct answer:

foolhardy

Explanation:

The sentence notes the boys "were nearly certain to be caught," which is the best description of the plan besides the missing word. The correct answer must show that the boys were neither careful nor wise. "Foolhardy," meaning reckless and imprudent, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #331 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

Since the lawyer had a large salary, she felt it was best to help the __________ with free legal help.

Possible Answers:

indigent

affluent

dillettante

dormant

sinistral

Correct answer:

indigent

Explanation:

The sentence describes how the subject gives "free legal help" because she "had a large salary." This indicate the legal help was given to people who could not pay. "Indigent," meaning the extremely poor and needy, is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #1271 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

All of the dust breathed in by coal miners has been shown to be quite __________ to their respiratory health. 

Possible Answers:

benign

constructive

detrimental

maladroit

beneficial

Correct answer:

detrimental

Explanation:

"Detrimental" is an adjective that means harmful or injurious.

Example Question #331 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

If the waitress was a bit more __________ she could probably make more tips. 

Possible Answers:

bellicose

taciturn

brusque

churlish

personable

Correct answer:

personable

Explanation:

"Personable" is an adjective that means being pleasing in appearance or personality.

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