GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1189 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Trying to maximize the natural light in her room while still maintaining privacy, Susan chose her fabric curtain to be the most __________.
impenetrable
gossamer
stifling
opaque
gossamer
Gossamer—something extremely light, flimsy, or delicate.
Example Question #1190 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The fact that she first chose blue paint, then yellow, then green reinforced Marco’s frustration with his __________ mother.
decisive
peremptory
trenchant
capricious
capricious
Capricious—variable; flightly; mercurial.
Example Question #901 : One Blank Texts
His costume, replete with stovetop hat and distinctive beard, was a convincing Abraham Lincoln; however, the digital watch on his wrist was a completely __________ prop.
relevant
anachronistic
appurtenant
contemporary
anachronistic
Anachronistic—not in its correct historical or chronological time; an error in chronology.
Example Question #902 : One Blank Texts
The __________ legend about the abandoned house at the end of the block was almost certainly untrue.
apocryphal
unequivocal
incontrovertible
indubitable
apocryphal
Apocryphal—of doubtful authorship or authenticity.
Example Question #1191 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Although it recycled concepts from previous work, the musical arrangment was heralded by critics as __________.
innovative
ingenuous
nebulous
esoteric
stolid
innovative
The "although" here is a clue—it shows that despite using old material, the composition is the opposite of that. "Innovative" is the correct answer, meaning "advanced and original, featuring new methods." Don't confuse "ingenuous" with "ingenious"—it means "innocent."
Example Question #1192 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Volatile and __________, the President changed the administration's policies frequently.
bucolic
capricious
bromidic
sententious
esurient
capricious
The conjunction "and", as well as the comma, are clues here. So we're looking for a word that refers both to being volatile (changing rapidly and unpredictably) and changing frequently—the same thing. "Capricious" fits best—meaning "given to sudden changes in mood or behavior."
Example Question #1193 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The guitar student in the apartment adjoining ours had __________ talent; although the music reaching our apartment was anything but mellifluous, we could tell he possessed a latent sense of rhythm and musicality.
inchoate
conspicuous
repressed
dubitable
precocious
inchoate
The sentence states that although the guitar student doesn't produce beautiful music at the moment, he is advancing in his musical abilities. Thus, he has inchoate talent that is being formed.
Example Question #1194 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Although Stephanie was normally loquacious, her teacher's incessant scolding due to her disruptive nature caused her to be more __________ during history class.
mettlesome
insouciant
duplicitous
loquacious
reticent
reticent
Since she was normally gregarious or sociable, Stephanie's teacher needed to scold her for being too talkative. Thus, to eliminate the scolding, Stephanie was "reticent," or reserved, during class.
Example Question #1195 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
After seeing her new and improved complexion, Sara's friends thought her glow was undoubtedly due to her recent switch to __________ vegetarian meals.
banal
insipid
saccharine
indulgent
salubrious
salubrious
Based upon the statement that Sara has a glow due to her new diet, it indicates her diet is healthy and she is partaking in "salubrious" vegetarian meals.
Example Question #1196 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Unlike her neighbors who ostentatiously displayed their wealth with grandiose sculptures on their front lawn, Brittney was simple and preferred a(n) __________ style of living.
ascetic
miserly
urbane
epicurean
aristocratic
ascetic
The key word in the sentence is "simple," which suggests that Brittney prefers an "ascetic," or simple, way of living to that of her indulgent neighbors. Miserly suggests a stingy way of living and based upon the statement, this would not be the best answer.
All GRE Verbal Resources
