GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #101 : One Blank Texts
Her _____________ was astonishing, and she was often a victim of fraud.
nonchalance
irrepressibility
gullibility
libertarianism
omniscience
gullibility
Being "a victim of fraud" indicates the subject of the sentence was easily tricked and duped. The correct answer will mean too trusting or easy to be fooled, the definition of gullibility.
Example Question #390 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Her _________________ was contagious, and soon the whole room was smiling.
jollity
elusiveness
irascibility
lasciviousness
philanthropy
jollity
What is "contagious" turns "the whole room smiling." This means the correct answer will indicate something that produces smiling. "Jollity," meaning happiness or levity, is the best choice.
Example Question #72 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Although hyped before the primaries, the candidate ultimately proved a ______________.
buttress
subterfuge
weight
portent
nonentity
nonentity
The missing word is contrasted with the attention given to the candidate "before the primaries." The correct answer will demonstrate the candidate's inability to live up to the hype. "Nonentity," meaning a nonfactor or unimportant person or thing, is the best fit in the sentence.
Example Question #73 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
With the recent acquisition, the President of the company felt he had hit a ___________ and was uncertain what to do next.
nadir
guile
pinnacle
bulwark
precinct
pinnacle
The President is reflecting on a success, which makes him "uncertain what to do next." The correct answer will mean some point which is hard to duplicate or suppress. "Pinnacle," meaning highest point or topmost moment, is the best choice.
Example Question #81 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The faculty senate had to submit their new rules to a ___________________ of the school's entire staff for ratification.
recusal
jurisprudence
recapitulation
jargon
referendum
referendum
The senate's "new rules" are put before "the school's entire staff for ratification." This means the staff must give some official blessing on the rules. "Referendum," meaning a public vote, is the correct answer.
Example Question #82 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Despite a great deal of research, the question of black holes still presents a ____________ for scientists.
bulwark
sacrosanct
subterfuge
contusion
conundrum
conundrum
We see here that "black holes" are not understood, "despite a great deal of research." This means the correct answer will indicate that black holes are still an issue. "Conundrum," meaning a puzzle or challenge, is the best choice.
Example Question #83 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The aging band had their last hit years ago, and was now trading on ________________ to sell tickets.
ambivalence
benignity
jargon
nostalgia
notoriety
nostalgia
The sentence outright states the band's "last hit" was "years ago." The correct answer will indicate it was their past success that is now selling tickets. "Nostalgia," meaning a longing for the past, is the best fit.
Example Question #81 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The boy's defiance of his teacher gained him _______________ among his peers, despite the punishment he received.
notoriety
petulance
ambivalence
munificence
reticence
notoriety
The "defiance" was looked at by his peers in a light described by the missing word. The correct answer will mean fame or respect of some kind. "Notoriety," meaning infamy or widespread acclaim for wrongdoing, is the correct answer.
Example Question #85 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Although he started the job enthusiastically, his _________________ waned the longer he worked there.
rigor
cynicism
transgression
zeal
torpor
zeal
The sentence directly connects the missing word with "enthusiastically." The correct answer needs to be a synonym of "enthusiasm." "Zeal," meaning eagerness and desire, is the best fit.
Example Question #81 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The new employee was a terrible ________________, and sought to curry favor with his boss in any way.
hypocrite
philanthropist
cynic
connoisseur
sycophant
sycophant
The phrase "curry favor" provides the best clue to the answer. By trying to appeal to his boss "in any way," the new employee is being a "sycophant," a flatterer and kiss up.
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