GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #91 : One Blank Texts
The of all the negotiation between team owners and players was that player salaries would go down the next year, but the season would be played.
dilemma
malefactor
artifice
serendipity
upshot
upshot
The negotiations have ended, so this was the outcome or result. "Upshot" is the only answer that means this.
Example Question #92 : One Blank Texts
The actor was a _________________, with people waiting hours just to see him leave the theater.
phenomenon
philistine
polemicist
nonentity
neologism
phenomenon
"People waiting hours" for a brief glimpse of the actor means he was extremely popular and exciting. The correct answer needs to indicate the sensationalism surrounding the actor. "Phenomenon," meaning a big event or occasion, is the best choice.
Example Question #93 : One Blank Texts
The celebrated author coined many ___________________ that have sprung into use as common phrases.
derisions
preambles
paragons
neologisms
decoys
neologisms
The author "coined" some "common phrases," so the missing word will indicate new language. The correct answer will mean a newly coined word or phrase, the definition of "neologism."
Example Question #94 : One Blank Texts
The _______ from the back of the room was disquieting to the nervous boy, who hated being laughed at.
guffaw
nonchalance
placebo
candor
jaunt
guffaw
The key phrase in the sentence is "being laughed at." As that phrase refers back to the missing word, the correct answer must mean a big or notable laugh, the definition of guffaw.
Example Question #95 : One Blank Texts
His lack of curiosity about art marked him as a _______________ among his friends.
philistine
superlative
talisman
sage
zealot
philistine
The sentence notes the subject's "lack of curiosity" as the reason his friends view him the way they do. The correct answer needs to demonstrate a lack of knowledge. "Philistine," meaning an uncultured and unsophisticated person, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #96 : One Blank Texts
Years later, the man still expressed ________________ for the harm he caused as a boy.
ambivalence
indifference
congeniality
contrition
belligerence
contrition
"The harm he caused" indicates a troubling past that the man is reflecting on. The correct answer will express how he feels now. "Contrition," meaning sorrow and repentance, is the best answer.
Example Question #97 : One Blank Texts
The girl had enough __________________ to talk her way out of gym class.
guile
piety
degradation
rancor
irascibility
guile
Getting "out of gym class" was possible because the girl had the quality described by the missing word. The correct answer needs to appropriately reflect her abilities. "Guile," meaning cunning or craftiness, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #98 : One Blank Texts
The patriotic speech often slipped too far into ________________.
euphemism
eulogy
platitudes
polemic
jingoism
jingoism
While many of the answer could fit the sentence, the best choice must be found. The speech is patriotic, but goes too far, and the answer must reflect both of these things. "Jingoism," meaning over the top patriotic speech, is the best choice.
Example Question #99 : One Blank Texts
The small role proved to be the _______________ of his career, as he never garnered any more success.
consensus
nadir
alibi
zenith
paragon
zenith
The sentence says the subject "never garnered any more success." This means that the correct answer will mean a high point or peak, the definition of "zenith."
Example Question #100 : One Blank Texts
Being uncomfortable with fame, the author became a ______________ and never gave interviews.
itinerant
nomad
hermit
cynic
recluse
recluse
The sentence notes both that the author was "uncomfortable with fame" and "never gave interviews." The correct answer will indicate the author's avoidance of others. "Recluse," meaning a person who cuts himself off from others, is the best choice.
All GRE Verbal Resources
