GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #451 : One Blank Texts
The businessman told his wife he wouldn't be able to make their dinner because he was with work his boss had given him and had to take overtime.
estranged
advanced
supported
blamed
inundated
inundated
He is swamped or overwhelmed with work, which is why he has to take overtime. The only answer that makes sense is that he is inundated with work, overwhelmed/flooded.
Example Question #452 : One Blank Texts
Health problems can result when people try to __________ their stress by overeating.
enhance
usurp
assuage
vacillate
placate
assuage
We need a word that means lessen or reduce, which "assuage" does. "Placate" is similar but means to appease or pacify, (usually a person).
Example Question #453 : One Blank Texts
This battle, called a __________ since there were few casualties, resulted in __________ between the two sides, resumed the next day—since nothing had been decided.
skirmish . . . parity
skirmish . . . inequality
brandish . . . inequality
bludgeoning . . . cacophony
brandish . . . parity
skirmish . . . parity
The first blank must mean that it was a small battle, since there were few casualties, which is fit by "skirmish." For the second blank, the battle seems to have been indecisive, so it would have resulted in "parity" or "equality."
Example Question #454 : One Blank Texts
He was found guilty, but DNA evidence later surfaced which __________ him.
exasperated
postulated
denounced
exonerated
incriminated
exonerated
He had been found guilty, but the evidence cleared his guilt, or "exonerated" him.
Example Question #455 : One Blank Texts
After having to get three cavities filled, she decided to __________ drinking soda.
abate
abjure
extradite
extol
impugn
abjure
She rejected or gave up drinking soda, and the only word here that means that is abjure.
Example Question #61 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
Her little brother's favorite way to ________________ her was by mimicking all her moments.
pillage
nettle
bemoan
efface
redress
nettle
"Mimicking all her movements" is presumably something the sister would dislike, but would not overly harm her. The correct answer will mean annoy or bother, the definition of nettle.
Example Question #62 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
After the day long hike, everyone needed time to ________________ before hiking again.
lavish
redress
recant
burnish
recuperate
recuperate
"Everyone" needed a break "before hiking again." The correct answer will indicate what they needed that break for. "Recuperate," meaning to rest and get better, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #63 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
Reading a book set in Paris, ___________________ his desire to travel there even more.
bristled
effaced
laxed
whetted
waned
whetted
The book reading had an effect on his desire to travel to Paris, and the phrase "even more" indicate it helped that desire. "Whetted," meaning to sharpen or refine, is the best fit among the answer choices.
Example Question #64 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
Living far away from any other people, the farmer considered a full day's drive a simple _____________.
decoy
jaunt
trial
rigor
degradation
jaunt
The two key words in the sentence are "drive" and "simple." The correct answer will indicate an easy journey. "Jaunt," meaning a fun, short trip, is the best choice.
Example Question #65 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
Old ballplayers often ________________ changes in the game as evidence modern players are weak.
betoken
encourage
embroil
bemoan
enthrall
bemoan
The fact the "old ballplayers" think "modern ballplayers are weak" indicates they dislike the changes in the game. The correct answer will indicate hatred or disagreement. "Bemoan, meaning to complain or lament, is the best fit.
All GRE Verbal Resources
