All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #291 : One Blank Texts
The chef was a __________ and refused to add any inauthentic ingredients.
hack
progressive
daring
fraud
purist
purist
The sentence explains that the chef "refused to allow any inauthentic ingredients." The correct answer needs to properly explain the chef's serious position on ingredients. "Purist," meaning someone who insists on precise and correct forms and processes, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #292 : One Blank Texts
Although the doctor seriously believed in the unusual formula, most of his colleagues thought he was a __________.
vagrant
dupe
quack
purist
quarry
quack
The subject actually believes in "the unusual formula," but the sentence makes clear that this opinion is not shared by "most of his colleagues." This indicates there was something odd or strange about the subject of the sentence. "Quack," meaning a fake or a charlatan, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #293 : One Blank Texts
During her childhood, her unusual features caused a good deal of __________ from unkind classmates
taunting
toadying
encouragement
lauding
disregarding
taunting
The sentence describes what "unkind classmates" did to a girl with "unusual features." The correct answer will indicate both the meanness of her classmates, and the way the subject was singled out. "Taunting," meaning teasing or mocking, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #294 : One Blank Texts
The small amount of angry letters became a virtual __________ after the second airing of the controversial program.
drivel
esoterica
barrage
seepage
minutia
barrage
The sentence contrasts the "small amount of angry letters" to the missing word. The correct answer, therefore, needs to indicate a large amount or at the least not small. "Barrage," meaning a deluge or extended gunfire, and used somewhat metaphorically, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #295 : One Blank Texts
The man's once harmless obsession quickly veered into a full blown __________.
insomnia
trifle
psychosis
nadir
placebo
psychosis
The sentence contrasts the missing word with the man's "once harmless obsession." The correct answer needs to mean something problematic mentally, but much stronger. "Psychosis," meaning a severe mental disturbance, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #296 : One Blank Texts
Wanting to present himself as a __________, the boy began wearing rebellious and politically-charged clothing.
personification
paragon
quack
conformist
dissident
dissident
The key words in the sentence are "rebellious and politically-charged clothing." This means the correct answer has to show the teenager is hoping to look like he is being difficult or politically different. "Dissident,"meaning someone who is a noncomformist or rebel, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #297 : One Blank Texts
The pronounced __________ of the samples indicated there was little diversity in the soil.
homogeneity
terminality
heterodoxy
orthodoxy
plausibility
homogeneity
The sentence explains that the soil has "little diversity." This means the correct answer has to indicate a sameness or uniformity, which is the definition of "homogeneity."
Example Question #298 : One Blank Texts
With his face paint, replica jersey, and team merchandise, the young man was the __________ of a diehard fan.
iconoclasm
indemnification
amortization
restoration
personification
personification
The sentence both calls the young man a "diehard fan," and notes all the things that indicate this. The correct answer needs to enhance this sense of the man's fanhood. "Personification," meaning the perfect embodiment of an idea or concept, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #299 : One Blank Texts
The __________ of the story diminished over time, as she added more non factual details to the narrative.
plausibility
superfluousness
ridiculousness
extraordinariness
absurdity
plausibility
The storyteller keeps adding "non factual details to the narrative." This indicates she is decreasing the story's believability or acceptability, the definition of "plausibility," which is the correct answer.
Example Question #300 : One Blank Texts
The boxer's greatest attribute was his __________, as he almost never got punched out or beat down.
resilience
fragility
wariness
equivocation
delicacy
resilience
The sentence actually describes the missing word as meaning the boxer "never got punched out or beat down." This means the correct answer has to indicate toughness or strength. "Resilience," meaning perseverance or an ability to come back, is the best choice among the answers.