All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #5 : 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.
inspiration
termini
conclusions
premises
implications
termini
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 #6 : Nouns In 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.
achievement
breakthrough
restoration
heresy
reformation
heresy
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 #5 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The actor's unplanned and unannounced _____________ from the film set left the producers wondering where he went.
appearance
hiatus
resplendence
arrival
eulogy
hiatus
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 #6 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Underestimated by her teachers, the kindergartner showed surprising _____________ on her intelligence test.
torpidity
equivalency
timidity
punctuality
acuity
acuity
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 #31 : One Blank Texts
Travelling from one town to the next, Jason felt more like a than a citizen of any one locale.
rascal
beggar
miscreant
stranger
migrant
migrant
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 #32 : One Blank Texts
His mother decided to give him a sense of __________ by sending him to a manners class.
obsequiousness
affability
debility
animalism
decorum
decorum
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.
debility
largess
puritanicalism
cynicism
parsimony
largess
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 #14 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
His love of cats soon became an _____________, and he soon adopted any stray he found.
largess
therapy
obsession
decorum
portent
obsession
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 #15 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The track star did not excel at one single event, but was a champion in the __________ because he could do many events quite well.
sprint
marathon
decathalon
javelin
relay
decathalon
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 #16 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The scandalized politician launched ______________ against his accusers, screaming obscenities and calling them names.
examinations
apologetics
campaigns
tirades
expositions
tirades
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.