All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1481 : Text Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Her basic outfit was _______________ until she implemented an exhaustive effort to procure the necessary ______________.
plush . . . appurtenances
deficient . . . sophistries
scant . . . vanguards
sublime . . . adornments
wanting . . . accessories
wanting . . . accessories
Since she made the effort to add to the outfit, we can assume the basic outfit was neither “sublime” nor “plush.” “Sophistries” sounds similar to “sophisticated,” but it is actually a fallacious method of reasoning. “Wanting . . . accessories” is the correct response.
Example Question #1482 : Text Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After several miles of relatively flat terrain, she knew the _______________ was going to be a(n) _________________ undertaking.
ascent . . . facile
acclivity . . . laborious
descent . . . arduous
declension . . . onerous
incline . . . inconsiderable
acclivity . . . laborious
Note that “inconsiderable” is not synonymous with “considerable.” “Inconsiderable” means it is not worth considering or noticing. To find the correct answer, we must check both words to see if they render a cogent sentence. “Acclivity” is an upward slope. “Laborious” means it requires a lot of work. These two words logically combine to give us the best answer.
Example Question #1483 : Text Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Since his work had been highly classified, there was a(n) ______________ ceremony to bestow the _______________ for his fine service.
clandestine . . . accolade
undisclosed . . . tyro
monumental . . . citation
covert . . . denunciation
conspicuous . . . distinction
clandestine . . . accolade
A “denunciation” is a public reprimand, so it doesn’t fit with the clues of “fine service” or “highly classified.” “Conspicuous” and “monumental” can likewise be eliminated. An “accolade” is an award or honor. “Clandestine” means done in secret. Together, these form the correct answer.
Example Question #1484 : Text Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although the _____________ of DVD's has tapered within most parts of the world, they have unexpectedly surged in places _______________ places like Sri Lanka.
usage . . . random
playing . . . new
marriage . . . stable
destruction . . . multiplicative
sales . . . plentiful
usage . . . random
"Usage . . . unexpected" makes sense. Usage is one of the nouns that makes sense in the context of DVDs. The word "random" further solidifies that strength of this choice; the earlier adverb "unexpectedly" makes "random" a clear choice.
Example Question #1485 : Text Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Plastic toys can be extremely _____________ for young children and pose a choking hazard, so extreme ____________ must be taken when offering toys to babies for play
happy . . . insouciance
sweet . . . practice
fun . . . hilarity
dangerous . . . care
dull . . . patience
dangerous . . . care
"Dangerous" makes sense as the adjective because it refers to the choking hazard; "care" makes sense as a noun because it is the reaction to the danger of the toys
Example Question #1486 : Text Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Despite having a poor start, the coach was __________ his team would defy _______________ and win the championship.
adamant . . . skeptics
reluctant . . . cynics
obstinate . . . neophytes
intransigent . . . optimists
uncertain . . . pessimists
adamant . . . skeptics
A “neophyte” is a beginner, which wouldn’t make sense given the context. An “optimist” takes a favorable view of an outcome. “Reluctant” or “uncertain” would be the right choice if the sentence had started with “since” instead of “despite.” “Adamant . . . skeptics” is the correct answer.
Example Question #1487 : Text Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
She compiled a(n) _____________ amount of data for her report on extraterrestrial sightings, only to insert as a(n) ________________ that she didn’t believe aliens existed.
superfluous . . . mainstay
exorbitant . . . addendum
diminutive . . . postscript
paltry . . . adjunct
inordinate . . . dudgeon
exorbitant . . . addendum
“Dudgeon” means a feeling of indignation. A “mainstay” is a supporter. “Paltry” and “diminutive” don’t work as well as the other three options since a small amount of research would be associated with a disinterest or disbelief in the subject, and there is a sentence shift after the word “only.” “Exorbitant . . . addendum” is the correct answer.
Example Question #1488 : Text Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Seeing inside the kitchen of the ____________ house was easy enough, and it was quite entertaining to watch the scene unfold around midnight. The solitary old man suffered from ________________.
remote . . . insomnia
bordering . . . malfeasance
sequestered . . . noctambulism
adjacent . . . nepotism
adjoining . . . somnambulism
adjoining . . . somnambulism
“Sequestered” is similar to “remote” in that it refers to providing privacy or seclusion. If seeing inside the kitchen was easy, we can assume neither of these words apply. “Somnambulism” and “noctambulism” are synonymous with sleepwalking. “Adjoining . . . somnambulism” is the correct response.
Example Question #1489 : Text Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The boy was as _______________ as any little boy could be; so much, that the entire school began to view him as his teacher’s ______________.
subordinate . . . doyen
apathetic . . . auxiliary
subservient . . . dignitary
obsequious . . . adjutant
lackadaisical . . . lackey
obsequious . . . adjutant
“Obsequious” describes acting in a servile manner, but almost overly so. An obsequious person could easily be called a “teacher’s pet.” An “adjutant” is often someone who serves as an assistant to someone of higher rank, like a general; but it can also be used to describe a loyal follower in a classroom. “Obsequious . . . adjutant” is the correct answer.
Example Question #1490 : Text Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Her relentless, ______________ words haunted him day and night, so much that he began to suffer bouts of ________________.
vitriolic . . . ardor
placid . . . indisposition
acerbic . . . insomnia
bucolic . . . restlessness
caustic . . . vigilance
acerbic . . . insomnia
“Bucolic” may sound similar to “vitriolic,” “caustic,” and “acerbic,” but its meaning could not be more different. “Bucolic” refers to ideal country living. Similarly, “placid” means calm and peaceful. “Haunted him day and night” implies that he is having trouble sleeping. “Acerbic . . . insomnia” is the correct response.