GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #491 : One Blank Texts

The negotiator thought he could __________ both sides by giving in to certain demands.

Possible Answers:

epitomize

lance

circumvent

appease

hinder

Correct answer:

appease

Explanation:

A negotiator's job is to settle disagreements. If he is "giving in to certain demands," then he is trying to help both sides. "Appease," meaning to pacify or calm, is the correct answer.

Example Question #492 : One Blank Texts

The attempts to __________ the protests backfired, resulting in the largest gathering yet.

Possible Answers:

bolster

circumscribe

circumnavigate

burnish

alleviate

Correct answer:

circumscribe

Explanation:

The missing word did not work but "backfired," causing "the largest gathering yet." This means the correct answer needs to indicate a suppresion of the protests. "Circumscribe," meaning to limit or prohibit, is the best choice.

Example Question #781 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The mine's product was worthless, as engineers had no way to __________ what was pulled from the ground.

Possible Answers:

exculpate

deride

pollute

condone

smelt

Correct answer:

smelt

Explanation:

The substance "pulled from the ground" is "worthless" because doing the missing word is impossible. The correct answer needs to mean a process that makes raw material valuable. "Smelt," meaning to refine an ore into usable metal, is the correct answer.

Example Question #782 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

His efforts to __________ tax law backfired and got him indicted for fraud.

Possible Answers:

appease

circumvent

solicit

exculpate

ordain

Correct answer:

circumvent

Explanation:

If a person gets indicted, then he is not obeying the law. The correct answer will reflect his dislike or avoidance of "tax law." "Circumvent," meaning to go around or move out of the way of, is the best choice.

Example Question #783 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Throughout all societies, outsider groups have been __________ against by the dominant culture.

Possible Answers:

celebrated

discriminated

prostrated

alleviated

levitated

Correct answer:

discriminated

Explanation:

The missing word is something a "dominant culture" does to "outsider groups." The correct answer will show the strength possessed by the "dominant" over the "outsiders." "Discriminated," meaning to look down on and act against due to difference, is the best choice.

Example Question #784 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Instead of walking directly to his office, he would __________ around to say hello to everyone.

Possible Answers:

meander

peruse

prostrate

belabor

flaunt

Correct answer:

meander

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with "walking directly." The correct answer must mean wandering around, the definition of "meander."

Example Question #493 : One Blank Texts

The group undertook an advertising campaign to __________ support for their cause.

Possible Answers:

flaunt

decimate

waylay

solicit

emaciate

Correct answer:

solicit

Explanation:

The group has "an advertising campaign" for their own cause. The correct answer will indicate they were attempting to gather support. "Solicit," meaning to ask or seek, is the best choice.

Example Question #786 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The angry mob __________ for the deposed king's head outside the castle.

Possible Answers:

negotiated

appeased

acquiesced

solicited

clamored

Correct answer:

clamored

Explanation:

The sentence deals with an "angry mob" seeking a "king's head." The manner in which they ask for his head should match their anger. "Clamored," meaning shouted or screamed, is the correct answer.

Example Question #787 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The young man decided to __________ his new car by driving it back and forth on the town's main drag.

Possible Answers:

congeal

deflect

flaunt

portend

conceal

Correct answer:

flaunt

Explanation:

The young man is driving his car "on the town's main drag," a highly visible location. This means he wants people to see his new car. "Flaunt," meaning show off or obviously display, is the correct answer.

Example Question #788 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Jealous of her classmate's popularity and hoping to harm her reputation, Rohini __________ several cruel and untrue rumors about her.

Possible Answers:

hindered

dissembled

contradicted

perpetuated

misdirected

Correct answer:

perpetuated

Explanation:

Because "dissembled" means to have concealed, it would be unlikely that Rohini would be trying to hide the rumors. "Contradicted", meaning spoke out against, is also unlikely. "Hindered", meaning slowed, also does not make sense. "Misdirected" also makes little sense because Rohini would want these rumors to be clearly targeted and not misdirected; however, it does make sense that she would "perpetuate, or prolong the existence of, such rumors in order to harm another girl's reputation.

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