All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1101 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
The inclusion of her late mother's ring into her wedding was a __________ gesture.
senseless
revolting
horrifying
poignant
obscene
poignant
The small use of the ring in the wedding indicate the gesture was quite moving. "Revolting," "horrifying," "senseless," and "obscene" each have too strong of a meaning having to do with shock or terribleness. "Poignant," meaning deeply moving, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1102 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
His __________ behavior towards his mother often complicated his relationship with his wife, as she felt he was less attentive to her.
obsequious
aloof
disinterested
boorish
cynical
obsequious
The phrase "less attentive" and the structure of the sentence indicate that the man was quite attentive to his mother. "Disinterested," "cynical," "aloof," and "boorish" all would mean he was ignoring or even mistreating his mother. "Obsequious," which means servile or submissive, is the only word that correctly completes the sentence.
Example Question #1103 : One Blank Texts
While many chefs swear by their cast iron skillets for frying, a more casual home cook will probably be happier with an __________ aluminum pan, which is much lighter and possessed of a coating that reduces or eliminates sticking, making for easy clean-up.
undiluted
ossified
cumbersome
anodized
amalgamated
anodized
The sentence is looking for an adjective to modify "aluminum" that helps to explain why casual cooks might prefer it to a cast iron skillet. Aluminum is already lighter than iron, so the missing word probably has something to do with the coating that is mentioned.
Since the word is preceded by "an" rather than "a," it must begin with a vowel, so "cumbersome" isn't correct (and besides, it means the opposite of lightweight). "Amalgamated" means "put together from several parts." That could potentially describe this aluminum pan, except the sentence doesn't say anything about what the alumnimum might have been put together with. "Ossified" means turned to bone, which seems like a bad way to improve an aluminum pan. "Undiluted" refers to a concentrated liquid and is nonsensical when applied to a metal pan. "Anodized" specifically means to apply a coating to a metal surface using electricity, so that is definitely the best word here.
Example Question #1104 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word that best completes the sentence below.
While the staunchly traditionalist politician proposed an uncompromising solution to the economic woes facing the nation, many dissident voices in the public felt the situation was not as __________ as the politician had portrayed it.
unequivocal
bleak
pithy
arcane
rueful
unequivocal
The traditionalist politican proposed an "uncompromising solution," while the dissident voices of the public felt differently. The blank follows the phrase "not as . . .", thus, "unequivocal" is the correct choice, as the public felt the issue was more ambiguous than the politican made it out to be.
Example Question #1141 : Text Completion
Her use of old english seemed __________; it was an outdated way to speak, even then.
trivial
obligatory
anachronistic
opaque
sundry
anachronistic
The sentence indicates that the way she speaks is outdated. "Anachronistic" conveys that her speaking is more fitting for a different time.
Example Question #1081 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
She viewed being __________ as her chief obligation in being a fair judge.
willful
irascible
dispassionate
zealous
gullible
dispassionate
The subject wishes to be a "fair judge," therefore "her chief obligation" would be something indicating fairness. The correct answer should mean neutral or objective, the definition of "dispassionate."
Example Question #1082 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The __________ evidence was lacking in the case, so the prosecution had to rely on circumstantial evidence.
elusive
coincidental
alibi
forensic
nondescript
forensic
The sentence describes a legal proceeding and notes that the prosecution had circumstantial evidence. The correct answer will indicate certain or secure evidence. "Forensic," meaning specific legal processes and standards, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #1083 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Her __________ sense of rhythm allowed him to pick up percussion instruments easily.
circumstantial
derisive
erratic
innate
candid
innate
The subject picks up "percussion instruments easily" as a result of the kind of "sense of rhythm" she possesses. This means the correct answer will show she has a natural "sense of rhythm." "Innate," meaning present from birth, inherent, or ingrained, is the best choice.
Example Question #1084 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
His tactics were __________, and more creative chess players would routinely beat him.
innovative
pedestrian
novel
sophisticated
irreproachable
pedestrian
The subject routinely gets beaten by "more creative" players, which means he is not very creative. The correct answer needs to mean common or mundane, the definition of pedestrian.
Example Question #1085 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
His __________ attitude was most pronounced when he complained about any kind of unfamiliar cuisine.
exuberant
surreptitious
mercurial
provincial
jovial
provincial
The dislike of "any kind of unfamiliar" cuisine means the subject is unsophisticated or unwilling to change. "Provincial," literally meaning from the outskirts, but also meaning unsophisticated or narrow minded, is the correct answer.