GRE Verbal : Text Completion

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

Example Question #191 : One Blank Texts

Though completely impverished, proud Clara preferred the prospect of homelessness to the __________ of admitting her situation to her friends or going on welfare.

Possible Answers:

gratification

dignity

triumph

elation

abasement

Correct answer:

abasement

Explanation:

"Elation," meaning joy, would probably not be something someone impoverished was feeling upon considering her circumstances. Neither is "gratification," which means satisfication, nor is "triumph," which means victory. It would seem that Clara considers asking for help to be undignified, so "dignity" does not work. "Abasement", meaning shame, seems most like the thing she is trying to avoid by not asking for help, so this is the best choice.

Example Question #232 : Text Completion

The coach’s __________ of his star player at the awards ceremony made the young athlete proud. 

Possible Answers:

aversion

disregard

disfavor

approbation

Correct answer:

approbation

Explanation:

Approbation—approval; commendation.

Example Question #193 : One Blank Texts

The praising nod from the CEO during the keynote speech affirmed that the auditor was at the __________ of her career.

Possible Answers:

nadir

apogee

base

anticlimax

Correct answer:

apogee

Explanation:

Apogee—the highest point; climax.

Example Question #192 : One Blank Texts

Choose the word that best completes the sentence below.

Before deciding which graphic designer to award the contract to, the manager required each designer to submit a(n) __________ of what he or she thought the finished website should look like.

Possible Answers:

facsimile

critique

approbation

parody

repudiation

Correct answer:

facsimile

Explanation:

The correct answer is "facsimile," as it means a copy of an original (hence where the term "fax" comes from). In this case, the designers are required to submit an accurate copy of what they think the finished product should be so the manager can decide which is best.   

Example Question #171 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

Choose the word that best completes the sentence below.

The unhinged, bizarre motions of the jazz pianist as he performed on stage belied his __________, which earned him a reputation as an unorthodox yet highly skilled musician.

Possible Answers:

felicity

passion

serendipity

ineptitude

virtuosity

Correct answer:

virtuosity

Explanation:

The sentence implies the pianist is an unusual performer with great skill in his instrument. Thus, "virtuosity" is the correct answer, as "virtuoso" is often used to describe a highly talented, elite musician.

Example Question #172 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

Neuroscientists suggest there is a decline in neural __________ due to the natural aging process, leading to more rigidity and less alterations in the neural pathways.

Possible Answers:

petrification

coagulation

extinction

plasticity

reciprocity

Correct answer:

plasticity

Explanation:

Studies suggest that due to aging, neural pathways become more rigid. Thus, they have less "plasticity," or pliancy.

Example Question #173 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The ballet company is composed of an elite ensemble of dancers that have gone through laborious training; the dancers are familiar with criticism, but rarely get __________ for their efforts.

Possible Answers:

approbation

censure

apotheosis

repercussions

partiality

Correct answer:

approbation

Explanation:

Ballet dancers are under constant scrutiny but often don't receive praise for their work since criticism seems to be more prevalent in the ballet industry; therefore, they rarely get "approbation," or praise.

Example Question #174 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

Although today it is widely accepted, Wegener's theory of contiental drift was hotly contested when it was first proposed, which made him a __________ in the scientific community of the time.

Possible Answers:

firebrand

pariah

debutante

socialite

hero

Correct answer:

pariah

Explanation:

Wegener's theory was rejected when it was first proposed, and thus the scientific community must have not thought highly of it; therefore, "pariah," which means outcast, makes the most sense in this sentence.

Example Question #175 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

Tara was an unwaveringly honest woman, and as such she never tolerated __________ among her employees.  

Possible Answers:

ferocity

dignity

mendacity

solemnity

veracity

Correct answer:

mendacity

Explanation:

Tara is supposedly a very honest woman, and therefore she would not likely put up with liars. Since "mendacity" means untruthfulness, it is the best choice for this sentence.

Example Question #176 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

Despite constant __________, the incorrigible student did nothing to discontinue his unruly behavior and remained impenitent in terms of his actions.

Possible Answers:

opprobrium

epigrams

accolades

deference

guile

Correct answer:

opprobrium

Explanation:

In terms of this student with horrendous behavior, he remains unreformed despite constant "opprobrium," or criticism.

Tired of practice problems?

Try live online GRE prep today.

1-on-1 Tutoring
Live Online Class
1-on-1 + Class
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors