GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #771 : One Blank Texts

His mood had improved, and he remained ___________ for the rest of the evening.

Possible Answers:

jaundiced

jocular

reclusive

cynical

lethargic

Correct answer:

jocular

Explanation:

The subject's "mood had improved," which resulted in him becoming the mood described by the missing word. The correct answer will indicate happiness and good feelings. "Jocular," meaning joking and lighthearted, is the best choice.

Example Question #772 : One Blank Texts

The military research headquarters was actually in a _________________ warehouse to fend off prying eyes.

Possible Answers:

ebullient

portentous

lavish

baroque

nondescript

Correct answer:

nondescript

Explanation:

The building has to "fend off prying eyes" because of the research it is conducting. The correct answer will indicate the attempt to put off onlookers or deflect attention. "Nondescript," meaning ordinary and without any notable features, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #773 : One Blank Texts

With the hire of a new salesman, the long time employee worried he was now ______________.

Possible Answers:

bourgeois

supercilious

nondescript

redundant

germinal

Correct answer:

redundant

Explanation:

The "hire of a new salesman" has a direct impact on the old employee's job. The correct answer will indicate the old employee's new irrelevance. "Redundant," meaning unnecessary and repetitive, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #774 : One Blank Texts

His mother was worried his odd mannerisms made him ______________ to bullying from classmates.

Possible Answers:

nebulous

susceptible

redundant

ambiguous

posthumous

Correct answer:

susceptible

Explanation:

The boy's mother is concerned about the connection of his peers' bullying to his odd mannerisms. The correct answer needs to mean vulnerable or at risk of, the definition of "susceptible."

Example Question #775 : One Blank Texts

The basketball player appeared too _____________ to handle physical contact, but he was surprisingly muscular for being so lean.

Possible Answers:

rotund

wispy

surly

personable

robust

Correct answer:

wispy

Explanation:

The player is described both as looking like he cannot take "physical contact," and that he is "lean." The correct answer needs to indicate needs to indicate that he looks thin and not very tough. "Wispy," meaning frail, delicate, and feather-like, is the best choice.

Example Question #776 : One Blank Texts

In his personal life, he was usually quite pleasant, but on a football field he became positively ______________.

Possible Answers:

effusive

personable

affable

ingratiating

bestial

Correct answer:

bestial

Explanation:

The sentence is structured so as to contrast the missing word with "pleasant." The correct answer will in some way be an antonym of "quite pleasant." "Bestial," meaning animal-like or inhuman, is the best choice.

Example Question #777 : One Blank Texts

The paper was trampled under foot, becoming _________________ and damaged.

Possible Answers:

erratic

corrugated

phlegmatic

poised

emaciated

Correct answer:

corrugated

Explanation:

The paper is described as "damaged" after it was "trampled under foot." The correct answer will indicate some way it was damaged. "Corrugated," meaning folded repeatedly and sharply, is the best fit among the answers.

Example Question #1066 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

In his old age, he became quite ________________ about a youth he never enjoyed at the time.

Possible Answers:

altruistic

erratic

philanthropic

wistful

sycophantic

Correct answer:

wistful

Explanation:

The man changed his outlook on his youth as he aged, and the missing word describes the view he now has. "Wistful," meaning to look back longingly on, is the correct answer.

Example Question #778 : One Blank Texts

The speech argued that the sacrifice of soldiers in a righteous cause could make the bloodiest battlefield _________________.

Possible Answers:

advocated

novel

hallowed

petrified

elucidated

Correct answer:

hallowed

Explanation:

The phrase "in a righteous cause" is the best key to finding the correct answer. The missing word needs to reflect the "righteous cause" appropriately. "Hallowed," meaning consecrated or made holy, is the best fit.

Example Question #1068 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

At the news of their court victory, the plaintiffs were ________________.

Possible Answers:

irascible

aloof

jubilant

beguiling

belligerent

Correct answer:

jubilant

Explanation:

The plaintiffs have just heard they were victorious in court. Such news inspires a good deal of happiness. "Jubilant," meaning ecstatic and delighted, is the correct answer.

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