GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #26 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

The girl's love of dogs ______________ until her parents had no choice but to buy her a puppy.

Possible Answers:

jaded

goaded

strutted

waived

waxed

Correct answer:

waxed

Explanation:

The parents' feeling that they had to buy a puppy indicates the "girl's love of dogs" was strong. The correct answer will indicate the growth or strength of that love. "Waxed," meaning to grow or increase, is the best choice.

Example Question #27 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

The self-centered girl did not understand that being _____________ by potential boyfriends was a problem many of her peers envied.

Possible Answers:

begrudged

negated

petrified

belied

beleaguered

Correct answer:

beleaguered

Explanation:

The fact the girl's "problem" is desired by others means she was receiving attention from "potential boyfriends." The correct answer will infer this and keep the sarcastic tone of the sentence. "Beleaguered," meaning annoyed or badgered, is the best answer choice.

Example Question #28 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

The ship was _______________ in the typical naval manner, with the captain smashing a champagne bottle across its bow.

Possible Answers:

congealed

consecrated

eulogized

recanted

broached

Correct answer:

consecrated

Explanation:

The sentence indicates the action was a "typical naval" ceremony. The appropriate word will indicate both the ceremony and the official, traditional nature of it. "Consecrated," meaning dedicated or inaugurated, is the correct answer.

Example Question #29 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

The general attempted to _____________ his opponent's numerical advantage with a better defensive position.

Possible Answers:

negate

advocate

obviate

enforce

approve

Correct answer:

negate

Explanation:

The general is trying to overcome the advantage his opponent brings to the battlefield. The correct answer will be a word that indicates he is trying to change the circumstances. "Negate," meaning to cancel or deny, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #401 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The college students were ______________ by a speeding ticket on their trip to Florida.

Possible Answers:

waived

degraded

waylaid

belied

condoned

Correct answer:

waylaid

Explanation:

The "trip to Florida" indicates the students were headed somewhere, and the correct answer will show they were delayed. "Waylaid," meaning to hinder or derail, is the best choice.

Example Question #711 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

He would often complement his lengthy academic texts with shorter books that _____________ the same arguments.

Possible Answers:

subverted

recapitulated

congealed

recanted

discombobulated

Correct answer:

recapitulated

Explanation:

The sentence indicates that the "shorter books" said the "same arguments" as the larger ones. The correct answer will then mean to restate or summarize, which is the definition of "recapitulated."

Example Question #712 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Her awkward walk ________________ a grace that was present in her ballet dancing.

Possible Answers:

portended

implied

ascertained

belied

reproved

Correct answer:

belied

Explanation:

The dancer's "awkward walk" is contrasted with her grace while dancing through the missing word. The correct word will indicate the surprising nature of her dancing ability. "Belied," meaning contradicted or misrepresented, is the best choice.

Example Question #713 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

After being left out in the snow, the glove had ________________ into a rock hard lump.

Possible Answers:

defoliated

congealed

hydrated

elucidated

petrified

Correct answer:

petrified

Explanation:

The phrase "rock hard lump" is the best clue to the answer. The best choice needs to indicate the glove becoming that "rock hard lump." "Petrified," meaning turned into stone or a stone like substance, is the correct answer.

Example Question #405 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

He frequently criticized his children, _______________ them for minor flaws.

Possible Answers:

beleaguering

beknighting

befuddling

bemusing

belittling

Correct answer:

belittling

Explanation:

The sentence parallels "criticized" and the correct answer, making them synonyms. Of all the answer choices, "belittling" is the only synonym of "criticized."

Example Question #714 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The guitarist could not help but __________ the collection of fancy instruments.

Possible Answers:

disdain

transgress

ogle

goad

ordain

Correct answer:

ogle

Explanation:

A guitarist will appreciate a "collection of fancy instruments." The correct answer will indicate the guitarists admiration and appreciation of the collection. "Ogle," meaning to stare or obviously look at, is the best choice.

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