GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #1041 : One Blank Texts

The lenthy course in traffic engineering made him a __________ expert in the field.

Possible Answers:

desultory

perfidious

veritable

flailing

mundane

Correct answer:

veritable

Explanation:

The sentence intensifies its description of the subject as an "expert" with the missing word. The correct answer will show the man was a genuine "expert." "Veritable," literally meaning able to be proved, but often used as modifier to mean nearly true, is the best choice in the sentence.

Example Question #1042 : One Blank Texts

Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.

The hikers were __________ as they began their ascent of the beautiful mountain.

Possible Answers:

guiless

ebullient

inured

felicitous

soporific

Correct answer:

ebullient

Explanation:

The choice that makes the most sense is "ebullient," full of excitement and energy.

Example Question #1043 : One Blank Texts

Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.

Although Bill has a temper, his anger is always __________, and his calm temperament often returns quite quickly.

Possible Answers:

irascible

dormant

porous

ebullient

ephemeral

Correct answer:

ephemeral

Explanation:

The choice that makes the most sense is "ephemeral," lasting for a short time.

Example Question #1044 : One Blank Texts

Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.

The __________ man was never to be trusted; even though he seemed to be telling the truth, James knew there was a better chance he was lying.

Possible Answers:

mercurial

malleable

meticulous

maudlin

mendacious

Correct answer:

mendacious

Explanation:

The choice that makes the most sense is "mendacious," lying; habitually dishonest.

Example Question #1045 : One Blank Texts

Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.

The boxing coach has never given up on a fighter that has __________ talent.

Possible Answers:

latent

irresolute

lethargic

lucid

laconic

Correct answer:

latent

Explanation:

The choice that makes the most sense is "latent," undeveloped potential; hidden.

Example Question #1046 : One Blank Texts

Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.

The survival expert is totally __________ to the harsh climate.

Possible Answers:

infernal

inert

inflated

inundated

inured

Correct answer:

inured

Explanation:

The choice that makes the most sense is "inured," accustomed or hardened, especially to something unpleasant.

Example Question #1047 : One Blank Texts

Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.

The __________ bellboy was to Annie more annoying than helpful.

Possible Answers:

obsolete

officious

opportune

notable

objective

Correct answer:

officious

Explanation:

The choice that makes the most sense is "officious," assertive and meddlesome in an annoying way; pushy in offering something.

Example Question #1048 : One Blank Texts

Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.

Professor Robinson's monotone voice and complicated examples were too __________ for Jimmy to keep his eyes open.

Possible Answers:

rarefied

laconic

viable

tangential

soporific

Correct answer:

soporific

Explanation:

The choice that makes the most sense is "soporific," tending to induce drowsiness or sleep.

Example Question #1049 : One Blank Texts

Earthquakes are a __________ problem for that area's residents, who experience two or three significant ones per year, every year.

Possible Answers:

ephemeral

sporadic

felicitous

perennial

anomalous

Correct answer:

perennial

Explanation:

Because we know that the residents of the area being described deal with two or three earthquakes "per year, every year," we know that earthquakes are a recurring problem in the state and need an adjective for the first blank that suggests this. We can discard "felicitous," which means well chosen or suited to the circumstances, as well as "ephemeral," (lasting for a very short time) "anomalous," (different from what is normal or expected) and "sporadic," (occurring at irregular intervals; having no pattern or order in time). We are left with the best answer choice, "perennial," which means lasting or existing for a long or apparently infinite time; enduring or continually recurring.

Example Question #1050 : One Blank Texts

The cleric hated turning from spiritual matters to what he saw to be merely                   affairs.

Possible Answers:

pharisaical

quotidian

tedious

blue-collar

mundane

Correct answer:

mundane

Explanation:

The sense of opposition in this sentence is indicated by the word "merely." Don't be tricked by this into some of the words such as "tedious" or even "blue-collar." The opposition is to "spiritual;" therefore, "mundane" is the best answer. Usually, this word is used in the sense of lacking interest or perhaps boring (or even tedious); however, its root is from the Latin "mundus" meaning world or universe. In English, this etymology is reflected in the extended meaning of "mundane" which signifies being earthly in distinction to heavenly or spiritual.

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