All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1716 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After working many days without rest, Gregory finally succumbed to a state of ____________, collapsing from exhaustion and being wholly ____________ in the face of any physical or mental activity.
vexation . . . fearful
captivation . . . diffident
consternation . . . tremulous
lassitude . . . impotent
deterioration . . . craven
lassitude . . . impotent
For the first blank, we are only looking for a simple synonym for the word "exhaustion." No further details should be inferred unless necessary. "Lassitude" is just such a state, one that is wholly without energy. The second blank might seem strange, but the word "impotent" is indeed the best option. "Impotence," strictly speaking, merely means without power. The "-potent" portion of the word is related to the Latin for able to do. Thus, we have English words like "potential," "potent," "potentate," and even the related word "possible." Thus, the state of lassitude left Gregory wholly impotent.
Example Question #212 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The mayor’s _____________ left the whole city ____________, who had expected the announcement merely to express his gratitude for the work done and not to announce a new holiday to celebrate the achievement.
rhetoric . . . overjoyed
debacle . . . obliged
diligence . . . impressed
delegation . . . aggrieved
promulgation . . . nonplussed
promulgation . . . nonplussed
For this sentence, stick as close to the literal meaning of your clues as is possible. We are only told that the mayor had made an announcement. Thus, a generic word for "announcement" will be the best option among those provided. "Promulgation" fits this well. To promulgate something is to send it forth, and generally, this relates to a promulgated message. As for the second blank, it seems that the city was surprised by the promulgation. The word "nonplussed" works well here, though you should note that this word generally indicates a very extreme amount of surprise, to the point of meaning that someone is unable to function because of the great amount of surprise.
Example Question #1721 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After much ____________, the student decided to attend the small college, hoping that he would benefit from the _____________ relationships that he might form with his professors and fellow students.
argumentation . . . elaborate
distress . . . informal
cogitation . . . intimate
stress . . . nonchalant
disputation . . . influential
cogitation . . . intimate
We really cannot say whether or not the student argued much while he was deciding to attend the college. The only thing that is hinted at in this sentence is that he thought long and deeply over the decision. The word "cogitation" indicates such deep thought. It is related to words like "cognition," "recognize," and the famous expression of Descartes, "Cogito ergo sum [I think, therefore I am]." As for the second blank, we do not know if the student will form influential relationships. The fact that he is going to a small college does hold out the hope that he will form close and intimate relationships with the others at the college.
Example Question #1722 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
In an age of text messages, long ______________ communication is becoming unknown, as people replace such lengthy letters with forms of _______________.
epistolary . . . correspondence
laboring . . . indication
physical . . . magistration
jotted . . . fraternizing
written . . . socialization
epistolary . . . correspondence
For this question, you are able to pick a synonym that is actually quite a good match! It is said that lengthy letters are being replaced. The word "epistolary" means related to the writing of letters. It comes from the Latin epistula, meaning letter. The second blank is rather simple in comparison. For that, you are merely looking for a synonym for "communication." The word "correspondence" functions well in this capacity.
Example Question #1723 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although the woman was not an official _______________ for the position of CEO, she was so highly _____________ that she was unanimously elected to the position by the board of directors.
delegate . . . demured
directorate . . . endowed
employee . . . indicated
candidate . . . esteemed
staffer . . . enjoined
candidate . . . esteemed
The second sentence is likely easier to ascertain than is the first one. Apparently the woman was very highly respected, thus receiving many votes. The word "esteemed" is a good synonym for "respected." This word is related to "estimation." Both words have to do with worth. Once you have filled in the second blank, it is rather obvious that the sentence is saying that the woman was not officially a candidate for the position—but still managed to be elected!
Example Question #1724 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The mole on her chin was ___________, enough so that she asked her mom to finance a(n) ____________.
fascinating . . . operation
hideous . . . encomium
appalling . . . sabbatical
grotesque . . . abscission
amusing . . . enucleation
grotesque . . . abscission
The word that goes in the second blank must be a result of the word in the first. If “fascinating” is put in the first blank, then it is improbable that she would ask her mom for an “operation.” “Grotesque” is strange or ugly in an unnatural way. “Abscission” is the act of cutting off or removing. Together, these form the best answer.
Example Question #1725 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
When the man became __________ towards law enforcement, the judge decided he should make ___________ by cleaning the local police department.
sidereal . . . restitution
petulant . . . platitude
turbid . . . amends
unwarranted . . . equanimity
abusive . . . reparations
abusive . . . reparations
“Equanimity” might sound like it fits, but it actually refers to emotional steadiness under pressure. “Turbid” means cloudy or unclear. “Abusive . . . reparations” is the only correct answer.
Example Question #1726 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Her ____________ of a limited universe were _____________. When all was said and done, I realized they had no real scientific support or practical applications.
conjectures . . . academic
encomium . . . theoretical
presumptions . . . foolproof
inferences . . . flawless
sinecures . . . hypothetical
conjectures . . . academic
The second sentence describes the word that should go in the second blank; therefore, “foolproof” and “flawless” are out of the question. “Encomium” is to formally honor someone or something. “Sinecure” is a job with minimal work. “Academic” can mean theoretical. That leaves us with “conjectures . . . academic” as the correct answer.
Example Question #1727 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Some people seem to think that _____________ is a virtue—as though such intransigence were not a(n) ________________ character trait.
fidelity . . . gregarious
magnanimity . . . intellectualist
obstinacy . . . detrimental
brashness . . . animalistic
arrogance . . . occult
obstinacy . . . detrimental
Really, the key word for this sentence is "intransigence," which will help to get the answer for the first blank. This word means refusal to change one's mind. A person who is intransigent is stubborn in his or her ideas. Likely, such a person thinks that obstinacy is a virtue. To be obstinate is to refuse to change one's mind in this manner. In so doing, such a person does not see such obstinacy as being a negative character trait. In other words, he or she does not see it as being a detrimental character trait. This word means harmful, but as it is the only option that expresses this general idea of negativity, it is the best among the options for the second blank.
Example Question #1728 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The development of robotics is viewed by some as being ______________ to human well-being, for many are uncertain regarding benefits of this supposed _______________.
regulative . . . invention
inanimate . . . innovation
urgent . . . ennoblement
regulatory . . . contraption
detrimental . . . boon
detrimental . . . boon
The general idea of this sentence is that the development of robotics is viewed by some as being a bad thing. Thus, it is viewed as being detrimental to human well-being. According to this sentence, at least, some people do not view such robotics a good thing, hence, it is not viewed as a "boon," a word indicating something that is beneficial.