GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #527 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

With the monument, the veterans' group hoped to __________ the battlefield in the memory of the wounded and fallen.

Possible Answers:

disinter

desecrate

obviate

impede

hallow

Correct answer:

hallow

Explanation:

The sentence describes a "veterans' group" placing a memorial for "the wounded and fallen." The correct answer needs to indicate that the group is making the memorial a special place. "Hallow," meaning to worship or revere, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #838 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

A good appetizer will __________ a diner's appetite without ruining the meal.

Possible Answers:

resolve

pique

confound

obscure

obliterate

Correct answer:

pique

Explanation:

The sentence describes a "good appetizer" as not "ruining the meal." This means an appetizer will enhance or help an appetite. "Pique," meaning to stimulate interest, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #528 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The shopkeeper was slowly __________ of his money by the protection racket of the gang leader.

Possible Answers:

milked

engorged

recanted

recompensed

overwhelmed

Correct answer:

milked

Explanation:

The "shopkeeper" has his money affected by a "protection racket," or a scheme where a strongman takes money under threats of violence. The correct answer should indicate the shopkeeper is losing money through force or being pressured out of his money, which is the definition of "milked."

Example Question #529 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

After it was revealed he had so many scandals, his image was __________ beyond recovery.

Possible Answers:

apposite

submerged

tarnished

enhanced

dormant

Correct answer:

tarnished

Explanation:

The sentence notes that the subject "had so many scandals," whose effect on "his image" is described by the missing word. The correct answer needs to indicate harm or hurt. "Tarnished," meaning made dull (as in brass), and here used metaphorically, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #551 : One Blank Texts

The discovery of the secret plans __________ the ability of the conspirators to pull them off.

Possible Answers:

compromised

abetted

simplified

facilitated

comforted

Correct answer:

compromised

Explanation:

The "conspirators" now will have difficulty because of "the discovery of the secret plans." The correct answer should indicate complication and trouble. "Compromised," meaning damaged or placed in doubt, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #161 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

Many fellow writers were envious that he was __________ with such a gift for prose.

Possible Answers:

faltered

compromised

obviated

endowed

abused

Correct answer:

endowed

Explanation:

The sentence describes that "writers were envious" of the subject's "gift for prose." This means the correct answer needs to mean given or provided, the definition of "endowed."

Example Question #552 : One Blank Texts

The young girl __________ when she tried to ask her mother for a raise in her allowance and ended up not asking.

Possible Answers:

faltered

equivocated.

resolved

strengthened

emboldened

Correct answer:

faltered

Explanation:

The final phrase of the sentence notes the young girl "ended up not asking" for a raise in her allowance. This means the missing word has to indicate she decided not or was unable to ask. "Faltered," meaning hesitated or wavered, is the best chocie among the answers.

Example Question #553 : One Blank Texts

The couple disliked their friend's new girlfriend's tendency to _________ about a litany of stupid things.

Possible Answers:

waver

falter

prattle

extemporize

eschew

Correct answer:

prattle

Explanation:

The sentence has one great clue to the best answer choice, that the "new girlfriend" tends to do the missing word about "a litany of stupid things." The correct answer needs to indicate she is also annoying to the couple. "Prattle," meaning to babble and talk in a mindless manner, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #554 : One Blank Texts

The teacher had a tendency to __________ about his subject, causing the students to become disengaged.

Possible Answers:

orate

charm

jest

fascinate

interrogate

Correct answer:

orate

Explanation:

The teacher causes "the students to become disengaged," so the teacher's tendency needs to make the students not care. The correct answer needs to indicate both something boring and without student input. "Orate," meaning to talk in a pompous and overblown manner, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #847 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The teenager ate all his food quickly, and rarely took time to __________ his food.

Possible Answers:

discount

diverge

discard

flaunt

savor

Correct answer:

savor

Explanation:

The sentence notes the teenager "ate all his food quickly," which meant he did not do the missing word. This means the correct answer should indicate slowing down to eat. "Savor," meaning to enjoy or relish, is the best choice among the answers.

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