GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #241 : One Blank Texts

Choose the answer choice that best completes the following sentence.

The wealthy man's __________ against donating to charity, staunchly turning down every plea, was seen by his countrymen as evidence of his stingy and selfish nature.

Possible Answers:

insipidity

meddling

connivance

intransigence

benevolence

Correct answer:

intransigence

Explanation:

You are told that the wealthy man has something against donating to charity and that his countrymen see this as "evidence of his stingy and selfish nature." You can tell by the fact that he staunchly turns down every plea that the man must be consistently, stubbornly opposed to charitable donation; therefore, you should look for a word that means "stubbornness."  The word "intransigence" means stubborn or immovable, and is the best choice for this question.

Example Question #242 : One Blank Texts

George's general __________ made him wary of accepting the offer without knowing what the terms were.

Possible Answers:

credence

cynicism

troth

allegiance

Correct answer:

cynicism

Explanation:

"Cynicism" is the belief that people are motivated by selfishness

Example Question #243 : One Blank Texts

The new employee's __________ was apparent in her peppy attitude and early arrival everyday.

Possible Answers:

lethargy

apathy

alacrity

disinterest

Correct answer:

alacrity

Explanation:

"Alacrity" means enthusiam or eager willingness.

Example Question #244 : One Blank Texts

The fact that he never went to church often made his opponents claim he was an __________.

Possible Answers:

atheist

reformer

libertarian

iconoclast

zealot

Correct answer:

atheist

Explanation:

The key phrase in the sentence is that the subject "never went to church," indicating he is not very religious.  This can rule out "zealot," "reformer," and "iconoclast," which, in the context of religion, all indicate an engagement with religion on some level. "Libertarian" can be ruled out as it describes a political position.  "Atheist," meaning someone who does not believe in God, is the correct answer.

Example Question #221 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The commander's odd statements and confusing instructions made his subordinates believe he was a __________.

Possible Answers:

prodigy

dotard

groundbreaker

visionary

prophet

Correct answer:

dotard

Explanation:

The sentence discusses the "commander's odd statements and confusing instructions" as leading to the missing word being applied to him.  This means the correct answer will describe someone who does such things.  "Dotard," meaning an old and senile person, is the correct answer.

Example Question #222 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The older brother was seen as the __________, as he often caused his younger siblings to misbehave.

Possible Answers:

paragon

sluggard

instigator

commander

archetype

Correct answer:

instigator

Explanation:

The sentence describes the "older brother" as being the cause of his younger siblings misbehavior.  This indicates the correct answer should mean someone who causes others to act or misbehave, the very definition of "instigator."

Example Question #223 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

Many nicknames are actually __________, and are given ironically.

Possible Answers:

misnomers

syllogisms

malapropisms

identifiers

colloquialisms

Correct answer:

misnomers

Explanation:

The key word in the sentence is "ironic." As it describes the missing word, then it makes clear that the correct answer will indicate that nicknames often are sarcastic or go against their perceived meaning.  "Misnomers," meaning incorrect names, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #224 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The __________ of the accused murder continued well after he was fully acquitted of the crime.

Possible Answers:

dubiousness

compliance

indifference

emollient

vilification

Correct answer:

vilification

Explanation:

The sentence could be completed with a few of the answer choices, but the best choice must be found. The sentence notes the subject was both "an accused murderer" and that the missing word has been ongoing "after he was fully acquitted." "Vilification," meaning literally to make a villain of someone, is the best answer choice.

Example Question #225 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The patient's diseased organs continued to __________ despite the efforts of her doctors to stem the tide of the illness.

Possible Answers:

invigorate

augment

exemplify

atrophy

sustain

Correct answer:

atrophy

Explanation:

The sentence describes the doctors' inability "to stem the tide of the illness." This fact is paired with the missing word's description of what is happening with the "patient's diseased organs." "Atrophy," meaning to waste away and become useless, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #226 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The argument for __________ stemmed from the fact the companies' presidents had many conversations about their own labor practices.

Possible Answers:

disapproval

combativeness

collusion

intermittence

futility

Correct answer:

collusion

Explanation:

The "companies' presidents" are described as discussing "their own labor practices."  This indicates the correct answer needs to have a meaning related to conspiring or working with each other secretly. "Collusion," meaning illegal plotting and planning in secret, is the best choice among the answers.

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