GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #941 : Text Completion
Trying to maximize the natural light in her room while still maintaining privacy, Susan chose her fabric curtain to be the most __________.
stifling
opaque
gossamer
impenetrable
gossamer
Gossamer—something extremely light, flimsy, or delicate.
Example Question #251 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The fact that she first chose blue paint, then yellow, then green reinforced Marco’s frustration with his __________ mother.
trenchant
peremptory
capricious
decisive
capricious
Capricious—variable; flightly; mercurial.
Example Question #252 : Adjectives And Adverbs In 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.
appurtenant
relevant
contemporary
anachronistic
anachronistic
Anachronistic—not in its correct historical or chronological time; an error in chronology.
Example Question #253 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The __________ legend about the abandoned house at the end of the block was almost certainly untrue.
unequivocal
apocryphal
incontrovertible
indubitable
apocryphal
Apocryphal—of doubtful authorship or authenticity.
Example Question #901 : One Blank Texts
Although it recycled concepts from previous work, the musical arrangment was heralded by critics as __________.
stolid
innovative
esoteric
ingenuous
nebulous
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 #902 : One Blank Texts
Volatile and __________, the President changed the administration's policies frequently.
bucolic
sententious
esurient
capricious
bromidic
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 #903 : One Blank Texts
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.
repressed
precocious
inchoate
conspicuous
dubitable
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 #904 : One Blank Texts
Although Stephanie was normally loquacious, her teacher's incessant scolding due to her disruptive nature caused her to be more __________ during history class.
reticent
duplicitous
mettlesome
insouciant
loquacious
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 #905 : One Blank Texts
After seeing her new and improved complexion, Sara's friends thought her glow was undoubtedly due to her recent switch to __________ vegetarian meals.
saccharine
indulgent
insipid
salubrious
banal
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 #906 : One Blank Texts
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
epicurean
urbane
miserly
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
