All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #31 : 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.
implications
inspiration
premises
conclusions
termini
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 #32 : 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.
breakthrough
reformation
heresy
achievement
restoration
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 #4 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The actor's unplanned and unannounced _____________ from the film set left the producers wondering where he went.
eulogy
appearance
resplendence
hiatus
arrival
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 #71 : Text Completion
Underestimated by her teachers, the kindergartner showed surprising _____________ on her intelligence test.
torpidity
timidity
equivalency
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 #72 : Text Completion
Travelling from one town to the next, Jason felt more like a than a citizen of any one locale.
migrant
miscreant
beggar
rascal
stranger
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 #73 : Text Completion
His mother decided to give him a sense of __________ by sending him to a manners class.
decorum
affability
debility
obsequiousness
animalism
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 #71 : Text Completion
His __________ was legendary, with his most notable contribution being the city's massive art museum.
cynicism
debility
puritanicalism
parsimony
largess
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 #75 : Text Completion
His love of cats soon became an _____________, and he soon adopted any stray he found.
therapy
obsession
decorum
portent
largess
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 #76 : 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.
javelin
sprint
decathalon
relay
marathon
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 #77 : Text Completion
The scandalized politician launched ______________ against his accusers, screaming obscenities and calling them names.
campaigns
expositions
apologetics
tirades
examinations
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.
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