GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #601 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The __________ of the boss' statements meant his employees were unable to take any action.
forcefulness
clarity
immutability
ambiguity
opulence
ambiguity
The "employees were unable to take action," because of the nature of the boss' statements. This means the correct answer will explain why the employess were confused and unable to do anything. "Ambiguity," meaning vagueness or uncertainty, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #298 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
His __________ remained elusive no matter how long he hunted.
ennui
stratagem
quarry
appetite
prattle
quarry
The sentence notes the subject cannot have the missing word, "no matter how long he hunted;" therefore, the correct answer must mean something hunted or a prize, which is the definition of "quarry."
Example Question #611 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Her __________ to social situations made her rarely go out to parties or other occasions.
homogeneity
curiosity
affability
aversion
vitality
aversion
The sentence describes the subject as someone who will "rarely go out." This indicates she probably does not enjoy "social situations." "Aversion," meaning dislike or hatred, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #612 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The problem grew worse because of the __________ of previously disparate issues.
aversion
combustion
indifference
stratagem
concatenation
concatenation
The structure of the sentence indicates the "previously disparate issues" are no longer so separate. The correct answer needs to show a joining or bringing together. "Concatenation," literally meaning linking of pieces in a chain, is the best choice.
Example Question #613 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Her remarkable _________ vanished as illness made her quite reserved in her old age.
stolidity
vivacity
phenomenology
seemliness
indifference
vivacity
The sentence notes the missing word "vanished" and the subject became "quite reserved." This means the correct answer will indicate a sense of action or energy. "Vivacity," meaning liveliness or animation, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #614 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
New evidence contradicted his sworn statement, and proved he committed __________.
indigence
insurgency
perjury
duplicity
larceny
perjury
The contradiction of a "sworn statement," indicates the subject was not just lying, but doing so in a legally proscribed manner, and the correct answer must reflect all of these facts. "Perjery," meaning lying under oath, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #615 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The old man had a number of __________ that made him quite peculiar.
stratagems
gimmicks
quarries
pleasantries
quirks
quirks
The missing word, which the "old man had a number of," contributes to the subject being "quite peculiar." The correct answer not only needs to indicate something he does, but that it is strange. "Quirks," meaning oddities or unique behaviors, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #616 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Her current __________ was more complicated but not more clever than her previous tricks.
prattle
balk
stratagem
waffling
compromise
stratagem
The sentence compares the missing word to "previous tricks," and notes the word as being "complicated;" therefore, the correct answer should essentially mean a complicated trick. "Stratagem," meaning a plot or ploy, is the best choice.
Example Question #617 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Many politicians cannot resist the __________ of running for a higher office and holding more power.
malevolence
imposition
allure
intermittence
revulsion
allure
The sentence notes politicans "cannot resist" the chance to run "for a higher office." This strong pull must be reflected in the correct answer. "Allure," meaning attraction or appeal, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #618 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Medieval armies were built largely on the back of unwilling __________, most of whom were only barely paid.
mercenaries
emollients
galleons
conscripts
saboteurs
conscripts
The sentence describes the missing word with the adjective "unwilling," while also noting they made up "medieval armies." The correct answer must reflect both of these points. "Conscripts," meaning persons enlisted compulsorily into armed service, is the best choice among the answers.
All GRE Verbal Resources
