GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #981 : One Blank Texts

The boys' attempts to take the car were almost admirably __________, as they were nearly certain to be caught.

Possible Answers:

perspicacious

clever

irreproachable

serene

foolhardy

Correct answer:

foolhardy

Explanation:

The sentence notes the boys "were nearly certain to be caught," which is the best description of the plan besides the missing word. The correct answer must show that the boys were neither careful nor wise. "Foolhardy," meaning reckless and imprudent, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #982 : One Blank Texts

Since the lawyer had a large salary, she felt it was best to help the __________ with free legal help.

Possible Answers:

indigent

dillettante

dormant

affluent

sinistral

Correct answer:

indigent

Explanation:

The sentence describes how the subject gives "free legal help" because she "had a large salary." This indicate the legal help was given to people who could not pay. "Indigent," meaning the extremely poor and needy, is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #1271 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

All of the dust breathed in by coal miners has been shown to be quite __________ to their respiratory health. 

Possible Answers:

benign

detrimental

beneficial

constructive

maladroit

Correct answer:

detrimental

Explanation:

"Detrimental" is an adjective that means harmful or injurious.

Example Question #983 : One Blank Texts

If the waitress was a bit more __________ she could probably make more tips. 

Possible Answers:

churlish

taciturn

brusque

bellicose

personable

Correct answer:

personable

Explanation:

"Personable" is an adjective that means being pleasing in appearance or personality.

Example Question #984 : One Blank Texts

Her typically __________ manner often made people unsure of her intent when she made a comment.

Possible Answers:

droll

righteous

earnest

sincere

boisterous

Correct answer:

droll

Explanation:

The sentence describes the subject as making "people unsure of her intent." This means her "manner," described by the missing word, should be hard to understand or confusing in some way. "Droll," meaning dry and sarcastic, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #985 : One Blank Texts

The character only appeared on the show __________ and was never a series regular.

Possible Answers:

partially

interminably

intermittently

recurrently

unfailingly

Correct answer:

intermittently

Explanation:

The sentence notes the character "was never a series regular," but was the missing word. The correct answer therefore needs to mean "not regular." "Intermittently," meaning sporadic or irregular, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #1275 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The text message from her ex-boyfriend was quite __________: "We're done." 

Possible Answers:

garrulous

bombastic

terse

verbose

timid

Correct answer:

terse

Explanation:

A "terse" response is one that is brief, concise, or succinct.

Example Question #1276 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Because of the ferocity of his attack, it was clear that the child's intentions were __________. 

Possible Answers:

benignant

banausic

amiable

malevolent

benevolent

Correct answer:

malevolent

Explanation:

"Malevolent" is an adjective that means having a vicious will or showing hatred. If the child's attack was ferocious, it is clear his intentions would be malevolent.

Example Question #1026 : Text Completion

It was clear that the child's pain was  __________, since he was up and running around within moments of the injury. 

Possible Answers:

diurnal

perpetual

transient

enduring

invariable

Correct answer:

transient

Explanation:

"Transient" is an adjective that means fleeting or brief. If the child was up and running around soon after an injury, the pain would have been transient. 

Example Question #1278 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Charlie earned consistent top marks, which made it clear to his professor that he one of her most __________ students. 

Possible Answers:

malingering

apathetic

lackadaisical

lethargic

assiduous

Correct answer:

assiduous

Explanation:

"Assiduous" is an adjective that means diligent, devoted, or hard-working.

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