GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1021 : One Blank Texts
The efforts at farming the land did not work because the plot had been __________ for too long.
fallow
compliant
temperate
indigent
pithy
fallow
The sentence describes an inability "at farming the land," because it had been the missing word. The correct answer must indicate the plot's lack of use. "Fallow," meaning uncultivated and undeveloped, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1022 : One Blank Texts
The __________ review of the plans meant the people in charge did not see the flaws contained in them.
profound
methodical
comprehensive
perfunctory
peremptory
perfunctory
The "flaws" in the plan were not seen because of the kind of review described by the missing word. The correct answer has to demonstrate that the review was the kind that would look over problems. "Perfunctory," meaning superficial or cursory, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1023 : One Blank Texts
The smart boy was quite __________ when it came to studying, believing good grades would naturally come to him.
vigorous
adept
complacent
seminal
pedantic
complacent
The "smart boy" believes "good grades would naturally come to him." This indicates he thinks he does not need to work very hard "when it comes to studying." "Complacent," meaning self-satisfied to the point of being lazy, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1024 : One Blank Texts
The service on the website was __________, and prevented people from staying on it for too long.
intermittent
exemplary
stellar
unwavering
germane
intermittent
The service prevents "people from staying on it too long." This indicates the service was highly inconsistent, which should be reflected in the correct answer. "Intermittent," meaning sporadic or irregular, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1025 : One Blank Texts
Her knowledge of the woods proved __________ to finding a way out when the group got lost.
detrimental
injurious
vital
inconsequential
dormant
vital
"Her knowledge of the woods" came into play "when the group got lost." As this knowledge found a way out, it proves it is important, which should be reflected in the correct answer. "Vital," meaning essential and important, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1026 : One Blank Texts
Many scholars now say violence is __________ in humans, and did not develop through time.
rising
evolutionary
primordial
emerging
contemporary
primordial
The sentence contrasts the missing word with the possibility violence "did not develop over time." This means the correct answer needs to mean violence was always present. "Primordial," meaning since the beginning of time, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1027 : One Blank Texts
The bizarre rules of the cult required everyone to be _________ thanks to the leader's hatred of his deformed right hand.
obliqueness
acquiescent
orthodox
mundane
sinistral
sinistral
The sentence gives one very large clue, by noting the leader has a "hatred of his deformed right hand." The correct answer will therefore indicate left-handedness, the exact definition of "sinistral."
Example Question #1028 : One Blank Texts
Although the story was proved to be __________, many people believed it anyway.
fabricated
fervent
straightforward
congruent
wholesome
fabricated
The sentence says "many people believed" the story, even though it was the missing word. The correct answer needs to show that the story should not be believed. "Fabricated," meaning constructed or fake, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1029 : One Blank Texts
The kids had to make sure their stories were __________ so their parents would not catch any differences.
congurent
patronizing
explicit
discreet
duplicitous
congurent
The kids are trying to avoid having their parents "catch any differences" in their stories. This means the correct answer has to reflect an attempt to make the stories similar. "Congruent," meaning matching or in line with, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1030 : One Blank Texts
The student's plea for a new class was so __________ that the principal was convinced to start it.
errant
fervent
disjointed
underwhelming
pretentious
fervent
The principal was "convinced" because the "student's plea" has the missing word. The correct answer must indicate that the student had a quality that made the principal relent on the class. "Fervent," meaning passionate and deeply held, is the best choice among the answers.
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