GRE Verbal : Two-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #41 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The electrician finally received _________________ for his work, though the client had originally tried to __________________ him.
alimony . . . defraud
compensation . . . reimburse
remuneration . . . bilk
accolades . . . praise
remuneration . . . bilk
"Remuneration" (payment) and "bilk" (cheat) are the best answer here. To be "compensated" and to be "reimbursed" mean the same thing, as does to receive accolades and to receive praise, and the sentence here suggests that the client originally tried to do something different from the first word choice, not the same. "Alimony" is spousal support and so does not make sense with the sentence.
Example Question #42 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
It was a _________________ philosophical question, and accordingly it required a(n) __________________ answer.
complex . . . simplistic
vexing . . . accessible
facile . . . elaborate
knotty . . . nuanced
knotty . . . nuanced
"Knotty" and "nuance" is the best answer here. The word "accordingly" in the sentence signals that the two blanks need to correspond to each other. All other answer choices give two opposites or near-opposites, not two related words.
Example Question #43 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The angry customer's ___________________ was _____________________ with personal attacks and expletives.
diatribe . . . void
eulogy . . . awash
harangue . . . replete
encomium . . . rife
harangue . . . replete
"Harangue" and "replete" is the best choice here. "Encomium" and "eulogy" are positive words, out of place with the customer's anger. "Void" means empty, while a "diatribe" would be more likely to have personal attacks and expletives than not.
Example Question #44 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The ___________________ of the star witness's testimony lessened the ___________________ of the prosecution's case.
abrogation . . . credibility
recantation . . . solubility
submission . . . tautology
loquacity . . . trajectory
abrogation . . . credibility
"Abrogation" and "credibility" is the best choice here. Neither "solubility," "tautology," or "trajectory" make sense in the second blank.
Example Question #45 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
How the ____________________ computer program worked was a(n) _____________________.
convoluted . . . given
labyrinthine . . . enigma
convex . . . mystery
straightforward . . . conundrum
labyrinthine . . . enigma
"Labyrinthine" and "enigma" is the best choice here. "Convex" is a geometry term, while "given" would imply that the convoluted program is easy, and a "straightforward" or simple program would not be a "conundrum" or puzzle.
Example Question #46 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The orator's _________________ was widespread, despite her _________________ manner outside of lectures.
obscurity . . . hostile
renown . . . abrasive
fame . . . amicable
acclaim . . . cordial
renown . . . abrasive
"Renown" and "abrasive" is the best choice here. "Fame" and "acclaim" also fit, but the word "despite" in the sentence signals that the second blank should be an adjective with a negative connotation. Furthermore, "obscurity" would not typically be described as widespread.
Example Question #47 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The timid man's ________________ was complete when he spent the party virtually _______________ in the corner.
exaltation . . . idling
degradation . . . mingling
aggrandizement . . . cringing
abasement . . . cowering
abasement . . . cowering
"Abasement" and "cowering" is the best choice here. "Degradation" would need another negative word for the second blank, while "aggrandizement" and "exaltation" would need another positive word for the second blank; neither "mingling," "cringing," nor "idling" would fit with these.
Example Question #48 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The subtle _______________ was so similar in technique that it _______________ little suspicion.
replica . . . deterred
counterfeit . . . engendered
original . . . incited
facsimile . . . prevented
counterfeit . . . engendered
"Counterfeit" and "engendered" are the best answer here- the fake was so realistic as to cause little suspicion. Replica and facsimile are close in meaning to counterfeit but "deterred" and "prevented" are antonyms for "engendered," meaning they would have caused a lot of suspicion. "Original" would be an antonym for counterfeit.
Example Question #49 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Deidre planted strong-smelling herbs like lemon balm and chives in an effort to __________ deer from eating her flowers; alas, the animals were __________ by the scents and did not flag in their efforts to dine on her garden.
deride . . . attracted
exculpate . . . rejected
deter . . . unperturbed
diffuse . . . negated
repel . . . abashed
deter . . . unperturbed
The word "alas" shows us that the sentence is shifting in meaning. "Deter" (turn away) and "unperturbed" (not bothered) properly complete the sentence.
Example Question #50 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.
In contrast to her boss, whose __________ nature made him too unpredictable and explosive to deal with cantankerous customers, Helen was able to tamp down any frustration she felt and display only __________ towards their clientele.
loathsome . . . fervor
officious . . . composure
bombastic . . . stoicism
mercurial . . . intractability
irascible . . . equanimity
irascible . . . equanimity
Here, we are looking for two opposing ideas, the first being "too unpredictable and explosive" and the second being its opposite. "Irascible" (quick to anger) and "equanimity" (calmness) fit.
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