GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #10 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The child's ________ mannerisms belied the fact that he was an excellent athlete and a star soccer player.
vibrant
energetic
languid
vigorous
ebullient
languid
The word "belied" indicates the child's mannerisms were in contrast to his athletic gifts. Vigorous, vibrant, and energetic would all make his athleticism expected. Languid, meaning slow and easygoing, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #661 : One Blank Texts
No matter what evidence came to him, the pastor remained ____________ in his beliefs.
ambiguous
compliant
hidebound
ambivalent
equivocal
hidebound
The fact that no evidence does anything to the pastor means he is staying fairly certain in his beliefs. Compliant, ambiguous, ambivalent, and equivocal all indicate that he would be less firm in his beliefs. Only hidebound, meaning "being rigid in belief," fits the sentence.
Example Question #662 : One Blank Texts
She was rightly quite ________________ in approaching the bear she encountered on her hike.
timorous
obstreperous
boorish
brusque
adventurous
timorous
The presence of a bear on a hike is a scary experience. The correct answer choice will give that meaning to the sentence. "Adventurous," "boorish," "obstreperous," and "brusque" all indicate a boldness and directness that does not fit the sentence. "Timorous," meaning fearful or even cowardly, is the correct choice.
Example Question #952 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Although he had lost two fingers in a childhood accident, he was fairly ___________ with woodworking tools.
adroit
clumsy
boorish
inadequate
oafish
adroit
The context around the word indicates the man is quite skilled even with his handicap. Of all the answer choices, the only synonym with skilled is "adroit."
Example Question #641 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The office was unimpressive to vistors, littered with ___________ technology and old furniture.
obsolete
fashionable
curious
modern
contemporary
obsolete
The two best words in the sentence to give a clue to the correct answer are "unimpressive" and "old." The use of these two adjectives with the answer blank means that the correct choice will fit with those words; therefore, "obsolete," meaning something that is out of date or ancient, is the correct answer.
Example Question #642 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Suddenly, the children became _____________, shouting and crying over seemingly nothing.
histrionic
poised
recalcitrant
erratic
reserved
histrionic
The shouting and crying of the children is the best clue to the correct answer. The word which will make the sentence complete needs to have the appropriate sense of shouting and crying. "Histrionic," which means exaggerated or affected emotionalism, is the only answer choice that fits appropriately in the sentence.
Example Question #643 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The couple's ______________ spending habits made them broke in a very short amount of time.
ascetic
odious
pecunious
lavish
parsimonious
lavish
The fact the couple became broke quickly means they were spending money at a rapid pace. The correct answer choice will indicate such an extreme level of spending. "Lavish," meaning wasteful or excessive, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #644 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The man was quite intelligent, but his speech impediment made him seem __________.
erratic
exuberant
obtuse
officious
garrulous
obtuse
The structure of the sentence indicates that the man was not seen as "quite intelligent," even if he really is. The correct answer should be an antonym of "intelligent." "Obtuse," meaning simple or dull, is the right choice.
Example Question #645 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
In order to avoid interactions with people, he used a _____________ manner when he spoke with anyone.
deferent
brusque
garrulous
laudatory
lighthearted
brusque
Since the man is avoiding talking to anyone, it can be inferred that his approach to people was quite short. The correct choice should make it clear the man does not intend to speak much, if at all. "Brusque," meaning blunt or even rude, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #646 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Although still meeting occasionally, the organization had become _____________ regarding activities.
adamant
resilient
officious
torpid
resplendent
torpid
The two phrases of the sentence are placed in such a way that they contrast with each other. The habit of meeting occasionally is put against the group's attitude to activitied, and the correct answer will reflect this. "Torpid," meaning stagnant or inactive, is the best choice.
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