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 #451 : Text Completion

The football coach was most well known for _________________ his opponents , making them unsure what he would do.

Possible Answers:

confounding

condoning

navigating

complementing

reassuring

Correct answer:

confounding

Explanation:

The opponents are "unsure" about the coach's actions, so the correct answer will indicate that. "Confounding," meaning confusing and baffling, is the best choice.

Example Question #452 : Text Completion

Despite his boasting, the scientist could never _____________ his claims with evidence.

Possible Answers:

criticize

congeal

substantiate

repudiate

stupefy

Correct answer:

substantiate

Explanation:

The scientist had no evidence "despite his boasting," and the "never" means the correct answer will be a word indicating support. "Substantiate," meaning to verify with evidence, is the best choice.

Example Question #453 : Text Completion

Although he believed he was the perfect candidate, he never ____________ the man who received the promotion instead.

Possible Answers:

lavished

begrudged

beknighted

adored

complimented

Correct answer:

begrudged

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts the candidate's belief in his perfection with the way he approached the promoted man. The correct answer will show there was never any ill will from the candidate. "Begrudged," meaning to resent, is the best fit in the sentence.

Example Question #454 : Text Completion

The company's board slowly _____________ around the plan of buying out their competitor.

Possible Answers:

dismembered

splintered

equivocated

muddled

congealed

Correct answer:

congealed

Explanation:

The board eventually agreed, as the sentence indicates the board decided on the plan to sell. The correct answer will describe the board coming together "around the plan." "Congealed," meaning to solidify, is the best fit among the answer choices.

Example Question #455 : Text Completion

The entire city block had to be ____________ to make room for the new arena.

Possible Answers:

envisaged

razed

enlivened

coalesced

ratified

Correct answer:

razed

Explanation:

The city block is in the way of the new arena, which is why it has "to make room for the new arena." The correct answer will indicate the block was destroyed for the arena. "Razed," meaning completely destroyed or flattened, is the best choice.

Example Question #456 : Text Completion

Over time, his interest in politics _____________ and eventually he hardly followed it at all.

Possible Answers:

waned

belabored

obviated

enlarged

goaded

Correct answer:

waned

Explanation:

The fact his interest became something "he hardly followed" means the correct answer will show a drop off in interest. "Waned," meaning to fall off or lessen, is the best fit in the sentence.

Example Question #457 : Text Completion

The boy was _____________ by the older girl's stories of college, and desperately wanted to attend her school.

Possible Answers:

scarred

jaded

besmirched

tried

beguiled

Correct answer:

beguiled

Explanation:

The boy's desire to attend the girl's college means he was clearly impressed with her stories. The correct answer will indicate his appreciation for her stories. "Beguiled," which means charmed,or even lured, is the correct answer.

Example Question #458 : Text Completion

The young man's reckless behavior was often the result of being ______________ into action by his friends.

Possible Answers:

goaded

waxed

waned

belied

waived

Correct answer:

goaded

Explanation:

The young man's friends were effectively causing his behavior and the correct answer will indicate their encouragement. "Goaded," meaning prodded or urged, is the best fit in the sentence.

Example Question #459 : Text Completion

His argument was well-received at first, but he _____________ it until the audience wanted him to end.

Possible Answers:

belabored

enlivened

enhanced

subverted

beknighted

Correct answer:

belabored

Explanation:

The final clause of the sentence, "the audience wanted him to end," indicates the speaker went too long. The correct answer will fully bring this meaning to the sentence. "Belabored," meaning to explain an argument in too much detail, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #460 : Text Completion

The professor's sharp voice ________________ on her, and she was unsure if she could remain in the class.

Possible Answers:

soothed

piqued

waxed

grated

jaded

Correct answer:

grated

Explanation:

The "professor's sharp voice," and the subject's desire to leave the class mean the voice bothered her, and the best choice will show this. "Grated," meaning to aggravate or annoy, is the correct answer.

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