GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #151 : One Blank Texts
He viewed himself as a stern leader, but his troops thought he actually became a ridiculous __________.
martinet
protégé
mercenary
inebriate
parody
martinet
The troops disagree with the subject's view of himself only in degree. If he sees himself as stern, his troops think he seriousness goes too far. "Martinet," meaning a person too attached to rules and discipline, is the correct answer.
Example Question #152 : One Blank Texts
The film's jokes were so on target that many viewers were unaware it was a __________.
paragon
decoy
parody
vignette
circumvention
parody
The sentence says two things about the film: it had a number of jokes and it was the missing word. The correct answer must therefore be something to do with jokes or comedy. "Parody," meaning a spoof or mocking imitation, is the best choice.
Example Question #153 : One Blank Texts
After the main battle, two retreating columns quickly collided in a __________, but with few consequences.
recapitulation
skirmish
nonentity
juxtaposition
subversion
skirmish
The "two retreating columns" collided "after the main battle." This means their encounter was not a serious one, which is why it had "few consequences." "Skirmish," meaning a minor battle or clash, is the correct answer.
Example Question #154 : One Blank Texts
Many communities were planned as __________, but reality revealed their imperfect nature.
utopias
tomes
metaphors
parishes
paramours
utopias
If reality shows the "imperfect nature" of the communities, then it can be inferred they were planned with different intentions. The correct answer should mean perfect societies or ideal worlds, the definition of "utopias."
Example Question #155 : One Blank Texts
His __________ was an effort to say a great deal without revealing any information.
discernment
inanity
skepticism
circumlocution
recapitulation
circumlocution
The sentence reveals two key facts: the subject says "a great deal," while also saying little actual information. The correct answer needs to hold the two conflicting notions together. "Circumlocution," meaning using too many words to avoid a subject, is the best choice.
Example Question #156 : One Blank Texts
The __________ of the legislation was blamed on no parties wishing to move it along.
inertia
surreptitiousness
profundity
ignominy
progress
inertia
The legislation has no one "to move it along," indicating it is stuck in the same place. The correct answer needs to mean inactivity or a lack of motion; "inertia" relates to motion, and can indicate either a lack of progress.
Example Question #157 : One Blank Texts
Most members of the team thought he volunteered for the unpleasant jobs because he was a __________.
hypochondriac
martinet
peccadillo
cliché
masochist
masochist
The subject is volunteering for "unpleasant jobs" that no one else presumably wants to do. The correct answer must indicate a reason he volunteers for these tasks. "Masochist," meaning someone who enjoys inflicting pain on him- or herself, is the correct answer.
Example Question #158 : One Blank Texts
The boy had a reputation as a __________, because he was always the last kid in his class to do anything.
hypocrite
sluggard
libertarian
chronicler
nonentity
sluggard
Being "the last kid in his class to do anything," means the boy is either extremely slow or extremely lazy. The correct answer must indicate this aspect of the boy's personality. "Sluggard," meaning a slow moving person, is the best choice.
Example Question #159 : One Blank Texts
The level of __________ between the siblings meant they could not visit their parents at the same time.
amity
discord
profundity
poignance
felicity
discord
The siblings can not see "their parents at the same time." This means the correct answer needs to mean disagreement or enmity, the definition of "discord."
Example Question #160 : One Blank Texts
Threading a needle the way she did took a level of __________ most people do not have.
ineffability
parody
ambivalence
finesse
boorishness
finesse
"Threading a needle" in a way other people could not means the subject is particularly talented. The correct answer must corectly reflect her talent. "Finesse," meaning fine skill or subtle movement, is the best choice.
All GRE Verbal Resources
