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 #106 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

He was well know for his ability to __________, and he rarely used a script while speaking.

Possible Answers:

lionize

extemporize

scrutinize

deliberate

debilitate

Correct answer:

extemporize

Explanation:

The sentence notes that the subject "rarely used a script while speaking." This means the correct answer will indicate not needing a script. "Extemporize," meaning to speak with little preparation or off the cuff, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #107 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

The ballplayer's simple mistake saw him __________ by his coach for his errors.

Possible Answers:

pacified

lambasted

embellished

advocated

eulogized

Correct answer:

lambasted

Explanation:

The sentence notes both the player made a "simple mistake" and that the coach did the missing word to the player because he had "errors." The correct answer will show a criticism or anger from the coach. "Lambasted," meaning verbally attacked, is the best option among the answers.

Example Question #108 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

For his own safety, the accused criminal was __________ from the public's wrath in an undisclosed location.

Possible Answers:

breached

reproved

fortified

cloistered

broached

Correct answer:

cloistered

Explanation:

The "accused criminal" is taken to "an undisclosed location" to avoid the "public's wrath." This means the "accused criminal" is being hidden away and isolated, the definition of "cloistered," which is the correct answer.

Example Question #109 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

His inability to succeed at chess __________ him of the idea he excelled at any game.

Possible Answers:

disaffected

engendered

lavished

emboldened

disabused

Correct answer:

disabused

Explanation:

The subject thought he "excelled at any game," but his experience with chess was different. The correct answer needs to indicate that the subject was wrong. "Disabused," meaning to have someone's mind changed, is the best choice.

Example Question #110 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

The new laws __________ new issues none of its supporters believed would develop.

Possible Answers:

engrafted

averred

disabused

engendered

atoned

Correct answer:

engendered

Explanation:

The "new laws" had things that developed despite what its supporters thought would happen. This means they caused or brought into being, the definition of "engendered," which is the correct answer.

Example Question #111 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

Fad diets are potenially harmful because they often involve __________ certain food groups, vital to a healthy body, and eventually lead to nutritional deficiency.

Possible Answers:

consuming

devouring

abnegating

allowing

ignoring

Correct answer:

abnegating

Explanation:

"Consuming," "devouring," and "allowing" all indicate that dieters are encouraged to eat all the food groups, which is not the case. "Ignoring" could make sense, but "abnegating," meaning denying oneself, conveys the sense of active denial more and is the better choice.

Example Question #112 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

No amount of petting would __________ the crazed horse, which would have trampled everyone in sight if he had not been restrained. 

Possible Answers:

inhibit

impede

provoke

mollify

aggravate

Correct answer:

mollify

Explanation:

"Inhibit" and "impede," which both mean to hold back, do not make sense because the horse is already restrained from trampling everyone. To "aggravate" or "provoke," both meaning to excite, would only upset the horse more. Only "mollify," meaning soothe, is a good choice.

Example Question #113 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

The prisoner's display of remorse was so moving that the judge agreed to __________ her sentence.

Possible Answers:

requite

mitigate

censure

exacerbate

cozen

Correct answer:

mitigate

Explanation:

Since the prisoner had remorse, or regret, for her crimes, it makes logical sense for the judge to reduce the prison sentence—so mitigate, to make less severe, works. Note that exacerbate is an antonym to mitigate.

Example Question #114 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

His newfound popularity __________ a great deal of jeaulousy among his old friends that were not as successful.

Possible Answers:

condoned

quashed

acquiesced

obviated

engendered

Correct answer:

engendered

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly notes that the subject had "friends that were not as successful." This means that the subject's friends became jealous. "Engendered," meaning caused or brought into being, is the correct answer.

Example Question #115 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

Her desire for vengeance was __________ when misfortune befell her rival, and she let him be.

Possible Answers:

slaked

importuned

debilitated

embellished

acquiesced

Correct answer:

slaked

Explanation:

Since "she let him be," the subject did not pursue her desire for vengeance any further. This indicates that her rival's misfortune was something that helped her desire go away. "Slaked," meaning quenched or satisfied, 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