GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #581 : One Blank Texts
After being largely unheralded, her third novel __________ many different awards for the author.
garnered
rehected
recused
gamboled
mitigated
garnered
The sentence describes the author having "many different awards." This indicates the correct answer should mean to gather or collect, the definition of "garnered."
Example Question #582 : One Blank Texts
The new coach's first task was to __________ a dull and boring team.
enervate
hallow
further
vivify
dampen
vivify
The coach's task applies to "a dull and boring team." This indicates the coach must make them less "dull and boring." "Vivify," meaning to enliven and perk up, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #583 : One Blank Texts
In order to distance herself from the extreme views of members of her party, the politician __________ the recent speech by the party leader.
stagnated
reviled
endorsed
disavowed
acquiesced
disavowed
The politician's purpose is to distance herself from the party with her response to the speech. To "disavow" the speech most clearly accomplishes that purpose.
Example Question #584 : One Blank Texts
Once his wife passed away, he began to __________ the times he could not spend with her.
caulk
gale
rue
assay
sate
rue
The sentence discusses a man that "could not spend time" with a wife who "passed away," leading to the missing word. The correct answer needs to indicate a desire to have spent time with her. "Rue," meaning regret or sorrow, is the best choice.
Example Question #585 : One Blank Texts
The new law mandated a severe __________ of resources to the controversial group, thanks to public outrage.
stinting
aversion
patronizing
jibing
dallying
stinting
The "resources" had been going "to the controversial group," which caused "public outrage." This indicates the correct answer will show the resources being diminished. "Stinting," meaning holding back or limiting, is the best choice.
Example Question #586 : One Blank Texts
The mud and sticks were a desperate attempt to __________ the leak in the dam, but proved largely futile.
caulk
mince
hack
waft
decimate
caulk
"The mud and sticks" are placed inside a dam because of a leak, and the fact they "proved largely futile" does not change their purpose. The correct answer should mean to block or seal, which is the definition of "caulk."
Example Question #587 : One Blank Texts
To prevent dissent, the authoritarian government sought to __________ radical thinkers in prison camps.
instigate
patronize
quarantine
disseminate
deride
quarantine
The "authoritarian government" is moving "radical thinkers" to separate camps "to prevent dissent." This indicates that the radical thinksers are being isolated away from others, which is the definition of "quarantine," the correct answer choice.
Example Question #588 : One Blank Texts
Every time he saw his former girlfriend he attempted to __________ their past romance.
rekindle
caulk
obfuscate
macerate
quash
rekindle
The subject is working on bringing "romance" with a "former girlfriend." The correct answer needs to reflect the fact it is a "former" relationship and that the subject makes an effort. "Rekindle," meaning to revive or start up again, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #589 : One Blank Texts
The dictator needed to __________ the details of the rebel's protests so he could effectively stop it from happening.
personify
assuage
temper
reconnoiter
purify
reconnoiter
The sentence notes the missing word will give "details" so that the dictator could stop the protest. The correct answer will indicate the dictator is attempting to find information. "Reconnoiter," meaning to survey or research, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #590 : One Blank Texts
The outrageous claim made the usually calm teacher __________ throughout the entire class.
fulminate
dissemble
pacify
disseminate
obfuscate
fulminate
The sentence notes the teacher is "usually calm," but did the missing word anyway. This indicates the correct answer has to mean the teacher was loudly denouncing and attacking the story, which is the definition of "fulminate."
All GRE Verbal Resources
