GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1001 : Text Completion
When the doctor walked into the waiting room, his __________ face made it clear that the surgery had not gone as planned.
congenial
amiable
cordial
saturnine
saturnine
"Saturnine" means gloomy, dark, or melancholy.
Example Question #961 : One Blank Texts
Although the cover was __________, the old book's text was still quite readable.
opaque
unabridged
smooth
translucent
abraded
abraded
The sentence describes an "old book" which is "quite readable," despite the condition of the cover, described by the missing word. This indicates the correct answer will indicate that the cover was damaged in some fashion. "Abraded," meaning worn away or eroded, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #962 : One Blank Texts
It was deemed old-fashioned, but the school thought it __________ for all their students to wear blazers.
quaint
antiquated
appalling
apposite
perfunctory
apposite
While the first clause in the sentence calls the students wearing blazers "old-fashioned," the structure of the sentence indicates the school thinks differently. The correct answer should show the school's belief in the practice, despite the criticism. "Apposite," meaning suitable and appropriate, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #963 : One Blank Texts
The __________ nature of undercover police work is rarely shown in glamorous media portrayals of cirme figting.
quotidian
rare
excessive
remarkable
seminal
quotidian
The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with the "glamorous media protrayals." This means the correct answer will mean boring and unglamorous. "Quotidian," meaning everyday and commonplace, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #964 : One Blank Texts
The _________ novel was an inspiration for countless works of fiction by the author's admirers.
commonplace
uninspiring
hackneyed
seminal
mundane
seminal
The sentence describes the novel's effects on later writers, calling it an "inspiration." This means the correct answer will show the novel was path breaking and influential. "Seminal," meaning essential and formative, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #965 : One Blank Texts
The large and diverse meal options made the starving men look __________.
agog
wearily
disinterested
indifferently
sardonically
agog
The "hungry men" are looking at "the large and diverse meal options." As the correct answer describes how they view the meal choices, it must reflect the fact that they would be amazed and happy with the options. "Agog," meaning wide-eyed with enthusiasm and wonder, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #966 : One Blank Texts
Because of the church's financial troubles, they attempted to negotaiate an __________ payment to avoid one large sum.
obsequious
obsolete
impecunious
amortized
incomplete
amortized
The sentence explicitly notes that the church is attempting "to avoid one large sum." The correct answer must indicate many payments or a lesser payment. "Amortized," meaning to pay off debts in small, regular increments, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #967 : One Blank Texts
The evil queen in the story was almost too __________ and verged into a caricature of a villain.
malevolent
aberrant
dissident
indifferent
benevolent
malevolent
The sentence explains that the "evil queen" was almost too strong of a villain, and became a "caricature." This means the correct word should indicate a strong sense of evil. "Malevolent," meaning nefarious and extremly bad, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #968 : One Blank Texts
The young man appeared __________ in photographs, but his charm and affability made him quite impressive in person.
gregarious
inviting
striking
imposing
unprepossessing
unprepossessing
The man's "charm and affability" in person are contrasted with the way he looks in photos, described by the missing word. The young man is therefore neither charming nor interesting in photographs. "Unprepossessing," meaning unattractive and off putting, is the correct answer.
Example Question #969 : One Blank Texts
The politician continued to be __________ about his stance on the issue, as he did not want to commit himself.
equivocal
quixotic
serrated
mollified
equivalent
equivocal
The sentence describes that the politician "did not want to commit himself." The correct answer will reinforce this trait and show the politician is not being clear. "Equivocal," meaning ambiguous or open to interpretation, is the best choice among the answers.
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