GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

When considering an argument, it is necessary to know its               . You must know both from whence it has proceeded and whither it is going.

Possible Answers:

conclusions

termini

inspiration

implications

premises

Correct answer:

termini

Explanation:

The key word in the second sentence is "both." It is particularly tempting to choose "premises," "conclusions," or "implications;" However, these do not deal two cases—a "both" fulfilling the "whence" and "whither." The only word that really fits that is "termini" —as strange as it might seem in this context.

Example Question #31 : One Blank Texts

The professor's new calculations of the earth's age was seen as a major ___________ in the scientific community, ostracizing him from his peers.

Possible Answers:

heresy

breakthrough

restoration

achievement

reformation

Correct answer:

heresy

Explanation:

The fact that the professor was ostracized means his calculations were at the very least controversial and against the prevailing thought of the scientific community. Breakthrough and achievement do not have the kind of disagreement indicated in the sentence, while restoration and reformation do not convey the appropriate level of hatred for the professor's ideas.

Example Question #1 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The actor's unplanned and unannounced _____________ from the film set left the producers wondering where he went.

Possible Answers:

resplendence

appearance

arrival

hiatus

eulogy

Correct answer:

hiatus

Explanation:

The fact the producers of the film did not know where the actor went indicate he had gone somewhere. Hiatus, meaning a pause or leave of absence, fits best in the context of the sentence.

Example Question #1 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

Underestimated by her teachers, the kindergartner showed surprising _____________ on her intelligence test.

Possible Answers:

timidity

punctuality

equivalency

acuity

torpidity

Correct answer:

acuity

Explanation:

The two words that give the best context for the sentence are "intelligence" and "underestimated." Both words indicate the kindergartner showed smarts and ability beyond her teachers assumptions. Only acuity, meaning "mental sharpness," fits the appropriate meaning.

Example Question #71 : Text Completion

Travelling from one town to the next, Jason felt more like a                   than a citizen of any one locale.

Possible Answers:

rascal

migrant

beggar

miscreant

stranger

Correct answer:

migrant

Explanation:

The sense that fits the blank is that Jason feels like a person that is unrooted from any single place. It might be tempting to imagine that such a person is a rascal, a miscreant, or perhaps even a beggar; however, these words do not capture the sense of being unrooted as much as effects often following on that. The same goes for "stranger," though in a slightly more removed way; therefore, the word that makes the most sense is "migrant."

Example Question #71 : Text Completion

His mother decided to give him a sense of __________ by sending him to a manners class.

Possible Answers:

animalism

debility

obsequiousness

affability

decorum

Correct answer:

decorum

Explanation:

The manners class will give the boy the missing word, so the correct answer will be related to manners. "Decorum," which signifies a correct behavior, is the only answer choice that makes sense in the sentence.

Example Question #33 : One Blank Texts

His __________ was legendary, with his most notable contribution being the city's massive art museum.

Possible Answers:

parsimony

largess

debility

cynicism

puritanicalism

Correct answer:

largess

Explanation:

The fact that the subject of the sentence gave an art museum indicates he was quite generous. Of all the answer choices, only "largess" means generosity or giving.

Example Question #33 : One Blank Texts

His love of cats soon became an _____________, and he soon adopted any stray he found.

Possible Answers:

obsession

therapy

portent

largess

decorum

Correct answer:

obsession

Explanation:

All the answer choices can make some level of sense in the sentence, so the task is to find the best choice. The man is essentially seeking out cats all the time, so the correct answer needs to indicate the way his love of cats is dominating his life. "Obsession," meaning a concern that overtakes someone completely, is the best answer choice.

Example Question #72 : Text Completion

The track star did not excel at one single event, but was a champion in the __________ because he could do many events quite well.

Possible Answers:

sprint

javelin

relay

marathon

decathalon

Correct answer:

decathalon

Explanation:

All of the answer choices are track events, but the answer needs to reflect the "many events" in which the athlete excels. "Decathalon," meaning a competition of ten events, should immediately stick out. The root deca- means ten, and decathalon is the only answer choice that reflects many events.

Example Question #73 : Text Completion

The scandalized politician launched ______________ against his accusers, screaming obscenities and calling them names.

Possible Answers:

tirades

apologetics

campaigns

examinations

expositions

Correct answer:

tirades

Explanation:

The key element in the sentence is the obscenities and name-calling. The politician is giving not just any speech, but a nasty one full of hatred and abuse. The only answer choice that fits the sentence then, is "tirade," which means a speech full of nasty words and hatred.

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