GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #641 : One Blank Texts
The conflagration was used to __________ invasive plant species and allow pioneering plants to reform a healthy ecoological system in the forest.
stimulate
extirpate
enervate
bolster
desiccate
extirpate
Since a fire was used in the forest, it is presumed that the fire was used to "extripate," or eradicate, invasive plants from harming native plants.
Example Question #642 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The young woman _____________ at the suggestion she was at like her mother, who she rarely got along with growing up.
fawned
bristled
tittered
revered
swooned
bristled
The fact that the young woman did not get along with her mother provides a clue to the proper meaning of the sentence. When a comparison was made, the young woman would not have appreciated and even outright disliked. Of the answer choices, only "bristled," meaning to show annoyance and irritation, correctly completes the sentence.
Example Question #643 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Even when he tried to give a simple answer, the professor had a tendency to __________ on his subject.
pontificate
clarify
excise
simplify
abridge
pontificate
The structure of the sentence makes it clear that the professor cannot give a simple answer, so the correct answer will mean the opposite. "Simplify," "excise," "abridge," and "clarify" all mean to make simple in one way or another, and can all be struck out. Only "pontificate," meaning to speak excessively and even arrogantly, is correct in the sentence.
Example Question #644 : One Blank Texts
The leader never himself committed any violence, but always seemed to __________ it from his underlings.
peruse
excise
condone
belabor
condemn
condone
The leader is attempting to distance himself from the violence of his underlings, while still having their violent actions continue. The answer will uphold this double standard on the leader's part. Of all the answer choices, "condone," meaning to support quietly or overlook, best fits the sentence.
Example Question #645 : One Blank Texts
Kind words do little to situations that require more than nice phrases in order to be improved.
retract
allay
ameliorate
enlighten
augment
ameliorate
The sense of the the sentence indicates that kind words fail to help in improvement of a bad situation. It is perhaps tempting to choose "augment" because of its sense of "increase." Certain verbal associations might lead one to choose "retract" or "allay," but these do not apply. "Ameliorate" fits best, as it means "to improve" or "make better."
Example Question #646 : One Blank Texts
Her ability to predict what her students would do made them think she was a __________.
contemporary
pedant
liturgy
paragon
sibyl
sibyl
The sentence explicitly notes that she has an "ability to predict what her students would do," which is the best clue to the answer. The correct answer must indicate someone who can see the future. "Sibyl," meaning a prophetess, after a Greek myth, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #647 : One Blank Texts
The slip and fall __________ an already existing injury.
exacerbated
illustrated
obviated
cogitated
corroborated
exacerbated
The key to the answer is the phrase "already existing injury." This means the injury described by the sentence took the existing injury and made it worse, the definition of "exacerbated."
Example Question #648 : One Blank Texts
His appetite was limitless, and no meal could ever truly __________ him.
doff
obviate
ingratiate
satiate
fawn
satiate
The subject's "appetite was limitless," which means one meal would not be enough. The correct answer should mean to satisfy or fill up, the definition of "satiate," which is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #649 : One Blank Texts
After multiple injuries from playing with the toys, they were __________ at the school.
approved
demurred
solaced
proscribed
ogled
proscribed
The toys have caused "multiple injuries," so presumably they are not wanted at a school. The correct answer must mean forbidden or outlawed, the definition of "proscribed."
Example Question #650 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
While he was once a great athlete, he had let his fitness __________ once he was no longer playing every day.
improve
restore
languish
expand
encroach
languish
The structure of the sentence indicates that the athlete is no longer as fit as he used to be. The correct answer choice needs to indicate that he has let himself go. "Languish," meaning suffer or decline, is the only choice that makes sense in the sentence.
All GRE Verbal Resources
