All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #451 : Text Completion
The football coach was most well known for _________________ his opponents , making them unsure what he would do.
confounding
condoning
navigating
complementing
reassuring
confounding
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.
criticize
congeal
substantiate
repudiate
stupefy
substantiate
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.
lavished
begrudged
beknighted
adored
complimented
begrudged
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.
dismembered
splintered
equivocated
muddled
congealed
congealed
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.
envisaged
razed
enlivened
coalesced
ratified
razed
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.
waned
belabored
obviated
enlarged
goaded
waned
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.
scarred
jaded
besmirched
tried
beguiled
beguiled
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.
goaded
waxed
waned
belied
waived
goaded
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.
belabored
enlivened
enhanced
subverted
beknighted
belabored
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.
soothed
piqued
waxed
grated
jaded
grated
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.