GRE Verbal : Three-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #111 : Three Blank Texts

Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentences.

The __________ of the billionaire’s house was matched only by his __________. Many considered him to __________ generosity of spirit, and he was seen as a darling of the charity world.

Possible Answers:

lavishness . . . largesse . . . epitomize

haughtiness . . . condescension . . . remunerate

veneer . . . clemency . . . flout 

grandeur . . . stinginess . . . revitalize

magnanimity . . . ingénue . . . disparage

Correct answer:

lavishness . . . largesse . . . epitomize

Explanation:

Based on the fact that the billionaire is described as "a darling of the charity world," we can ascertain that the general tone of the sentence will probably be positive. 

For the first blank, "lavishness," meaning extravagance, and "grandeur," meaning splendor, both make sense as a description of the billionaire's house. "Veneer," meaning a thin exterior coating or false front, does not make sense at all. "Haughtiness," meaning arrogance, and "magnanimity," meaning generosity, could have some relevance given the sentence's subject matter, but do not make sense as a description of a house. This leaves us with a choice between "lavishness . . . largesse . . . epitomize" and "grandeur . . . stinginess . . . revitalize."

Characterizing the billionaire as having "largesse," meaning generosity in giving money, makes sense given the statement that he is a "darling of the charity world." However, "stinginess," meaning miserliness, clearly contrasts with this claim, and as such, does not work. At this point, we have narrowed down the correct answer by process of elimination; however, just to double check, we can look to the third blank. Here we see that it would make sense that he would "epitomize generosity of spirit," as "epitomize" means exemplify. We now have the correct answer: "lavishness . . . largesse . . . epitomize."

Example Question #111 : Three Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

While many had forgotten the memorial __________ in the town, the care with which Martha __________ and ___________ the statue revealed its true beauty.

Possible Answers:

edifice . . . maintained . . . restored 

menagerie . . . watched . . . nurtured 

allotment . . . desecrated . . . sullied.

font . . . improved . . . aspersed. 

hove . . . revamped . . . maligned 

Correct answer:

edifice . . . maintained . . . restored 

Explanation:

"Edifice" can be defined as a structure, "maintained" as sustained, and "restored" as repaired. All of the other answers do not fit the context of the sentence when used together.

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