GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #111 : One Blank Texts
The initial plan sought to use a small force as a ________________ that would distract from the real invasion.
conundrum
paragon
legion
goad
decoy
decoy
The use of "a small force" away "from the real invasion" means the correct answer needs to indicate a trick of some kind. "Decoy," meaning a fake used as a trap, is the best choice.
Example Question #151 : Text Completion
She was an impressive runner, but did not possess the _______________ to compete at longer distances.
endurance
petulance
nonchalance
brevity
remorse
endurance
The key phrase in the sentence is "at longer distances." Since the subject cannot compete in those, the correct answer needs to indicate the ability to run those distances. "Endurance, meaning staying power or stamina, is the best choice.
Example Question #152 : Text Completion
The boy quickly became a ____________ for the cause, refusing to associate with any ideological opponents.
sycophant
moderate
portent
zealot
pragmatist
zealot
"Refusing to associate" with opponents indicates the boy was fiercely devoted to his cause, and the correct answer will indicate such a devoted person. "Zealot," meaning a fanatic or extreme partisan, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #153 : Text Completion
The commander was lauded as the ________________ of a naval officer that all subordinates should look to emulate.
alibi
philistine
pedant
archetype
placebo
archetype
The commander is who "subordinates should look to emulate," indicating he is a model for others. "Archetype," meaning a classic example or perfect form of something, is the correct answer.
Example Question #154 : Text Completion
She often played the _________________ socially, but she was actually quite smart and well traveled.
ingenue
phenom
poseur
protagonist
archetype
ingenue
The missing word is contrasted with the subject being "actually quite smart and well traveled." The correct answer needs to mean someone who is not "smart and well-traveled." "Ingenue," meaning a naïve and unsophisticated young person, is the best answer.
Example Question #402 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The _______________ of available jobs made him broaden his employment criteria.
levity
abundance
ebullience
philanthropy
paucity
paucity
If the subject is having to "broaden his employment criteria," that means the "available jobs" are not very common. The correct answer must mean a lack or shortage, the definition of "paucity."
Example Question #155 : Text Completion
His noted ________________ caused the city fire department numerous headaches.
embezzlement
kleptomania
pyromania
subterfuge
schizophrenia
pyromania
The missing word is stated to have caused "headaches" for the fire department. The act described by the correct answer must deal with fires. "Pyromania," a compulsion to start fires, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #156 : Text Completion
He knew so much about art history, his mind was its own __________________ of important facts about twentieth-century art.
effigy
artifice
archives
veneer
receptacle
archives
While some of the answer choices could fit, the best choice needs to be found. The subject knows a great deal, and his mind is holding onto a great amount of facts. "Archives," meaning a collection of records or a place to store documents, is the best choice.
Example Question #157 : Text Completion
He was a horrible little ______________ that never appreciated anything his parents did for him.
ascetic
protégé
hypochondriac
ingrate
introvert
ingrate
The subject is said to have "never appreciated" his parents' actions, so the correct answer must show this lack of gratitude. "Ingrate,"meaning an ungrateful person, is the best choice.
Example Question #158 : Text Completion
After chasing the biggest payday, athletes are often seen as _____________ with no sense of loyalty.
mercenaries
paragons
sycophants
philistines
vignettes
mercenaries
The key phrase in the sentence is "chasing the biggest payday." The athletes are being portrayed as only chasing money. "Mercenaries," meaning a hired person whose only concern is getting paid, is the correct answer.
All GRE Verbal Resources
