GRE Verbal : Text Completion

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #271 : Text Completion

He was a noted __________ of the former President, and it was well assumed he would follow similar policies.

Possible Answers:

acolyte

degenerate

opponent

antagonist

cynic

Correct answer:

acolyte

Explanation:

The subject of the sentence would "follow the same policies" as the "former President."  This indicates he supports the "former President," or at the very least agrees strongly with the "former President." "Acolyte," meaning follower and devotee, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #272 : Text Completion

He had no plan of action, and made decisions based on nothing more than his own __________.

Possible Answers:

strategies

techniques

procedures

caprices

measures

Correct answer:

caprices

Explanation:

The fact the subject had "no plan of action" is the best clue to the correct answer. This means the missing word will indicate that the subject has "made decisions" by feel. "Caprices," meaning whimsies or fancies, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #273 : Text Completion

After spending a week in the wilderness eating only nuts and berries, the diner''s limited menu was a practical __________.

Possible Answers:

quagmire

haven

wasteland

sanctuary

cornucopia

Correct answer:

cornucopia

Explanation:

The subject had been "eating only nuts and berries," which is what colors his perspective on "the diner's limited menu."  The correct answer will reflect that the menu appeared to be full of options.  "Cornucopia," literally a horn filled with fruit, but used here symbolically, is the best answer choice.

Example Question #274 : Text Completion

Both sides __________ meant that a compromise was never a likely outcome.

Possible Answers:

intractability

affability

orthodoxy

openness

encouragement

Correct answer:

intractability

Explanation:

A "compromise was never a likely outcome," because of the missing word being had by "both sides." The correct answer needs to indicate a hostility or opposition to deal making. "Intractability," meaning stubbornness or difficulty, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #211 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Although she started her career as an outsider, by her retirement she was a __________ in the field.

Possible Answers:

luminary

toady

sycophant

recluse

minion

Correct answer:

luminary

Explanation:

The sentence compares the missing word with her original position as "an outsider." The correct answer will demonstrate a position of importance and primacy in her field.  "Luminary," meaning a leader and eminent person, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #212 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The movie featured a tired plot with an evil supervillain using __________.

Possible Answers:

idols

iconoclast

subversives

heroes

minions

Correct answer:

minions

Explanation:

The sentence notes the plot is "tired," indicating the use of the "evil villain" is fairly sterotypical. The correct answer must indicate similarly hackneyed tropes. "Minions," meaning servants or underlings, and often indicating ineptness, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #213 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The influential generals became a __________ of powerful military interests in the weakened government

Possible Answers:

cornucopia

syllogism

coterie

vicissitude

paradox

Correct answer:

coterie

Explanation:

The "influential generals" are affecting the "weakened government."  This indicates that they have an outsized effect, and the correct answer will reflect this. "Coterie," meaning a small group or clique of like minded people, is the best answer choice.

Example Question #214 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The claim of thousands of protesters was __________ on the part of the group, which actually provided a turn out of a few hundreds.

Possible Answers:

empirical

admonitory

ambiguous

seditious

hyperbole

Correct answer:

hyperbole

Explanation:

The actual numbers at the protest, "a few hundred," stands in contrast to the group's claims of "thousands of protesters." This indicates the group was exaggerating for effect, the definition of "hyperbole."

Example Question #275 : Text Completion

Choose the answer choice that best completes the following sentence.

Although I felt confident that my mathematical abilities would give me a leading edge in Vegas, having tried my hand at gambling for the first time, I now realize I am a bit of a __________.

Possible Answers:

tyro

bourgeois

teetotaler

masochist

malcontent

Correct answer:

tyro

Explanation:

The leading word Although lets you know there will follow a contradiction or logical conflict in this sentence. In this case, it is between the speaker's imagined skill at gambling, as evidenced by the phrase "I felt confident that my mathematical abilities would give me a leading edge in Vegas," and the word you aim to find. You should be on the lookout, then, for a word that inverts "having the leading edge," keeping in mind that the speaker specifies this is their first time gambling. "Tyro" means novice, or extremely inexperienced person, so it is the best fit here.

Example Question #216 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Choose the answer choice that best completes the following sentence.

"Tin" foil is actually a __________, the foil being made of aluminum rather than tin.

Possible Answers:

misnomer

malapropism

commodity

faux Pas

mistake

Correct answer:

misnomer

Explanation:

Notice that the word "tin" is in quotes. The clause "the foil being made of aluminum rather than tin" tells you why: since tin foil isn't actually made of tin, its name does not make much sense. This lets you know that the word you are looking for means a nonsensical or mistaken name; the only choice that fits the bill is "misnomer."

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