GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #141 : One Blank Texts

The Stock Market Crash took many people from the heights of the good life to living in __________.

Possible Answers:

luxury

frugality

philanthropy

munificence

penury

Correct answer:

penury

Explanation:

The sentence compares "the heights of the good life" to "living in" the missing word. Therefore, the correct answer needs to mean the opposite of "the good life." "Penury," meaning poverty and neediness, is the best choice.

Example Question #142 : One Blank Texts

The students massed in protest presented a __________ of the police force's trouble.

Possible Answers:

portent

utopia

diorama

legion

genre

Correct answer:

diorama

Explanation:

The missing word describes how the students appeared in light of "the police force's troubles." The correct answer must indicate a reflection or observation of the issues. "Diorama," meaning a model or representation, is the correct answer.

Example Question #143 : One Blank Texts

Although the teens claimed they had nothing to drink, their __________ was obvious.

Possible Answers:

inebriation

disdain

poise

fraud

sobriety

Correct answer:

inebriation

Explanation:

The teens are the missing word, which goes against the claim "they had nothing to drink." The correct answer must indicate they were actually drinking. "Inebriation," meaning intoxication and drunkenness, is the best fit.

Example Question #144 : One Blank Texts

The teaching method was criticized for wanting __________ among students, not allowing the most talented to shine.

Possible Answers:

whimsy

disinterest

parity

tractability

obsequiousness

Correct answer:

parity

Explanation:

"Not allowing the most talented to shine" is the key phrase in the sentence. The phrase indicates that the "teaching method" is trying to keep students even. "Parity," meaning equality or balance, is the best fit.

Example Question #145 : One Blank Texts

After the first day of the road trip, he decided to become the __________ of the group's travels in his journal.

Possible Answers:

paragon

chronicler

rancor

underminer

usurper

Correct answer:

chronicler

Explanation:

The subject is putting down the "group's travels in his journal." This means he is recording the actions and circumstances of the group's trip, the description of the work of a "chronicler."

Example Question #146 : One Blank Texts

Suggested to be played at a brisk pace, the band instead played the song like a __________.

Possible Answers:

smorgasbord

stanza

vignette

celebration

dirge

Correct answer:

dirge

Explanation:

The way the band played the song is at odds with the suggested "brisk pace." The correct answer will mean a slow or not as fast song. "Dirge," meaning a sad and mournful song, is the best choice.

Example Question #147 : One Blank Texts

His essay on puddles contained surprising __________ for dealing with such a light subject.

Possible Answers:

profundity

levity

debility

brevity

vacuousness

Correct answer:

profundity

Explanation:

The essay is on a "light subject," but has a "surprising" amount of the missing word.  The correct answer must be an antonym of "light." "Profundity," meaning depth and insight, is the best choice.

Example Question #148 : One Blank Texts

Some psychologists believe teens' __________ is a put on, and that they care more deeply than they admit.

Possible Answers:

altruism

fervor

masochism

irascibility

apathy

Correct answer:

apathy

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly contrasts that teens "care more deeply" with their "put on" of the missing word. The correct answer will mean the opposite of caring deeply. "Apathy," meaning disinterest or lack of emotion, is the best choice.

Example Question #149 : One Blank Texts

The __________ of a parent will spur a child to action, as a forbidden act is always more tempting to try.

Possible Answers:

torpor

nonchalance

condoning

disapprobation

solace

Correct answer:

disapprobation

Explanation:

The sentence discusses a "forbidden act," in a parallel way to the missing word. The correct answer must therefore match this sense of being fordbidden. "Disapprobation," meaning disapproval or condemnation, is the best choice.

Example Question #150 : One Blank Texts

The __________ of their supporters was unmatched, and their chants drowned out everything else.

Possible Answers:

disinterest

ambivalence

fervor

nonchalance

apathy

Correct answer:

fervor

Explanation:

Having chants that have "drowned out everything else" indicates the supporters were quite loud. The correct answer will tell why they were so vocal. "Fervor," meaning passion or enthusiasm, is the best fit.

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