GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1069 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
She was noted as being the most __________________ woman in town, as she vistited holy shrines regularly.
potable
infamous
notorious
erratic
pious
pious
The missing word is elaborated on by the phrase "visited holy shrines regularly." The correct answer needs to indicate the woman was extremely religious, the definition of "pious."
Example Question #1070 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Many therapists encourage _______________ methods to promote human contact with their patients.
aloof
reclusive
erratic
bestial
tactile
tactile
The key phrase in the sentence is "human contact." The correct answer needs to relate to "human contact" in some way. "Tactile," meaning related to the sense of touch, is the best fit.
Example Question #1071 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
He had a reputation of being _______________ as a young man, but he became a serene presence in his twilight years.
zany
poised
mundane
reclusive
taciturn
zany
The sentence contrasts the man's "serence presence" as he aged, with his younger reputation. The correct answer will mean the opposite of "serene." "Zany," meaning crazy or wacky, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1072 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The general only adopted unusual methods when it became clear _____________ strategies would not work.
quirky
novel
erratic
obscure
conventional
conventional
The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with the general's "unusual methods." The correct answer will effectively mean usual. "Conventional," meaning common or customary, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1073 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Campfire cooking provided a ______________ experience none of the hikers would soon forget.
gustatory
contemporary
auditory
olfactory
tactile
gustatory
The key word in the sentence is "cooking." The correct answer will be a word relating to cooking or eating. "Gustatory," meaning concerned with the sense of taste, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1074 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Thanks to his _______________ spending habits, he had saved quite a bit of money over the years.
deleterious
lavish
supercilious
jaundiced
judicious
judicious
The sentence connects the subject's "spending habits" to his ability to save. The correct answer needs to indicate the man's spending habits were wise and careful enough to save money. "Judicious," meaning reasonable and smart in judgment, is the best choice.
Example Question #1075 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
More than anything else, the ability to make more money through bonuses as a salesman was _________________ in his decision to decline a promotion.
supercilious
pivotal
incidental
ambivalent
elusive
pivotal
The key phrase in the sentence is "more than anything else." The correct answer will stress the role the bonuses played in the decision. "Pivotal," meaning of central importance, is the best choice.
Example Question #1076 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The legend states he was so ______________ he once got stuck in a bathtub.
emaciated
corpulent
wistful
lithe
taciturn
corpulent
To get "stuck in a bathtub" requires a person to be quite large. The correct answer needs to mean sizable or big. "Corpulent," meaning grossly fat or overweight, is the best fit.
Example Question #1077 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The motivational speech was an underwhelming recitation of ________________ cliches and lame jokes.
candid
eloquent
novel
hackneyed
brusque
hackneyed
The sentence calls the speech "underwhelming," and pairs the missing word with "lame." The correct answer will further the disappointing nature of the speech. "Hackneyed," meaning common and overused, is the best choice.
Example Question #1078 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Her _______________ manner was surprising, as her parents hardly ever spoke.
taciturn
poised
nomadic
loquacious
reclusive
loquacious
The sentence calls the subject's manner "surprising" in light of her parent's quiet demeanor. The correct answer must stand against her parents' never speaking. "Loquacious," meaning very talkative, is the best choice.
All GRE Verbal Resources
