GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #571 : One Blank Texts
The young boy was arrogant, and had a tendency to __________ whenever he walked.
prune
gambol
strain
strut
amble
strut
The sentence both describes the boy as "arrogant," and notes that the missing word describes what he does when he walks. The correct answer therefore must mean a showy and boasting manner of walking, the definition of "strut."
Example Question #572 : One Blank Texts
The girl was the most talented athlete on the field, and would __________ with the other players instead of outright beating
sap
muse
pine
wag
toy
toy
The sentence describes the girl as not "outright beating" her opponents, despite being "the most talented athlete on the field." This indicates she was not directly playing against her opponents, and the correct answer must reflect this. "Toy," meaning to play and fool around with mockingly, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #573 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
The minister seemed so humble and pious that the parishioners were shocked when he __________ with the chapel coffer.
absconded
blasphemed
plundered
abandoned
atrophied
absconded
In this sentence, the parishioners' shock hints at a contradiction between the minister's seeming humility and his subsequent action. Noting that "coffer" refers to a collection of valuables, you might infer that the minister somehow robbed the church. "Plundered" would make sense, except for the word "with" following the blank (one might "plunder with" a sword, but not with a chapel coffer); therefore "absconded" is the best option in this case.
Example Question #574 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
hypothesized
denied
averred
prevaricated
defended
averred
Example Question #575 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
infers
invokes
aggregates
implies
evinces
implies
Example Question #576 : One Blank Texts
If he had the time, he preferred to __________ instead of taking the most direct route.
charge
lope
meander
flaunt
burrow
meander
The sentence says he does not take "the most direct route." This means he was going a winding way, which the correct answer should reflect. "Meander," meaning to wander around, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #577 : One Blank Texts
Although the president's speech was intended to calm the protest, it actually __________ the protester's anger.
compensated
stoked
pacified
relaxed
ameliorated
stoked
The construction of the sentence contrasts the missing word with the president's intent "to calm." This indicates the correct answer will be an antonym of calming. "Stoked," meaning fueled or enhanced, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #578 : One Blank Texts
Due to his simple nature, he was frequently __________ by underhanded schemes.
doted
duped
embossed
enhanced
stoked
duped
The sentence notes the subject had a "simple nature" which brought "underhanded schemes." This indicates the correct answer needs to show he was quite gullible. "Duped," meaning fooled or cheated, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #579 : One Blank Texts
Once the opposition asked for more conditions, the group __________ at negotiating any further.
stippled
balked
quarried
quirked
reenergized
balked
The "opposition" has "asked for more conditions" causing the group to do the missing word. The correct answer must indicate the group will no longer negotiate. "Balked," meaning prevented or backed off from, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #580 : One Blank Texts
The new prime minister wanted to __________ with the country's traditional enemy, in a break from the previous regime.
alienate
dissipate
conciliate
condescend
villify
conciliate
The "new prime minister" sought a "break from the previous regime." This means he wants to approach "the country's traditional enemy" differently. "Conciliate," meaning to bring together, is the correct answer choice.
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