GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #37 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

After being a victim of identity theft, the woman was ________________ of giving out her credit card information.

Possible Answers:

effusive

wary

subversive

irksome

negigent

Correct answer:

wary

Explanation:

The "identity theft" changed the woman's attacks outlook on using her credit card, and the correct answer will reflect her reaction to the identity theft. "Wary," meaning hesitant or cautious, is the best fit among the answer choices.

Example Question #691 : One Blank Texts

The foul was so _________________, she was thrown out of the game.

Possible Answers:

egregious

affable

effusive

reclusive

inconsequential

Correct answer:

egregious

Explanation:

Being thrown out of a game is a very serious penalty, and the correct answer will indicate the seriousness of the foul to warrant such a punishment. "Egregious," meaning extremely or obviously bad, is the correct answer.

Example Question #692 : One Blank Texts

The young man, who was quite aware of his quick temper, used to joke that certain volatile situations were as                   as his mood.

Possible Answers:

mercurial

meretricious

recalcitrant

agitated

unknown

Correct answer:

mercurial

Explanation:

The key phrase is the subordinate clause, "who was quite aware of his quick temper." The volatile situations are compared to this temper, which alters quickly. The most tempting wrong answers are "agitated" and "unknown." Either of these (particularly the latter) could indicate a changing mood that is volatile; however, "mercurial" is more directly related in meaning to such a characteristic of having a changing mood.

Example Question #693 : One Blank Texts

The grandson was left with no other option than                     adding the medicine to his grandmother’s pudding. If she had known about the treatment, she would have refused to take the medication.

Possible Answers:

underhandedly

surreptitiously

minutely

silently

unwittingly

Correct answer:

surreptitiously

Explanation:

The second sentence gives the sense of the blank. The grandmother clearly does not want the medicine; therefore, she must not know about it. Although we might be tempted by "underhandedly," there is not reason to add such negative tones. "Silently" might be tempting because of the secrecy, but it is not the best option. The best answer would be "surreptitiously," which best captures the secrecy of the grandson's action, without adding any other meanings.

Example Question #671 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The girl was too _________________ for her own good, as her cleverness often got her in trouble with teachers.

Possible Answers:

affable

nefarious

personable

obsequious

perspicacious

Correct answer:

perspicacious

Explanation:

The structure of the sentence effectively pairs the correct answer with "cleverness." The correct answer will therefore be a synonym of "cleverness" or wit. "Perspicacious," meaning insightful or sharp, is the best choice.

Example Question #672 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The pilot was alarmed by the development, as the self-destruct button was ___________.

Possible Answers:

inconsequential

itinerant

subversive

irrevocable

torpid

Correct answer:

irrevocable

Explanation:

The "self-destruct button" and the pilot being alarmed indicate the seriousness of the situation. The correct answer will need to appropriately fit this context in the sentence.  "Irrevocable," meaning unchangeable or unable to be cancelled, is the best fit among the choices.

Example Question #673 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The man was seen as so ______________, he could never truly be generous in the eyes of most people.

Possible Answers:

perspicacious

personable

nebulous

obstreperous

nefarious

Correct answer:

nefarious

Explanation:

The contrasting of the missing word with "generous" indicates the correct answer will be a highly negative word. "Nefarious," meaning wicked or immoral, is the best choice.

Example Question #674 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The family friendly veneer of the show hid how ___________ its message truly was.

Possible Answers:

subversive

hoary

personable

affable

mundane

Correct answer:

subversive

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts the "family friendly veneer of the show" with the missing word.  The best fit will be a word indicating something not "family friendly."  "Subversive," meaning undermining or rebellious, is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #675 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The cheap man liked the restaurant because the bread and drink refills were ___________.

Possible Answers:

lavish

exorbitant

excessive

egregious

gratis

Correct answer:

gratis

Explanation:

The key to the sentence is that the subject is a "cheap man." The correct answer choice will mean it suited the subject's cheapness. "Gratis," meaning free or without payment, is the correct answer.

Example Question #676 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

He began his career as a(n) _______________ teacher, moving between schools in three different small towns.

Possible Answers:

egalitarian

intemperate

itinerant

irreproachable

tenant

Correct answer:

itinerant

Explanation:

The fact the teacher moved between town is the key to finding the answer. The correct answer will indicate the teacher's travels. "Itinerant," meaning nomadic or moving around, is the best fit among the answer choices.

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