All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #731 : Text Completion
After being a victim of identity theft, the woman was ________________ of giving out her credit card information.
negigent
wary
irksome
effusive
subversive
wary
The "identity theft" changed the woman's attacks outlook on using her credit card, and the correct answer will reflect her reaction to the identity theft. "Wary," meaning hesitant or cautious, is the best fit among the answer choices.
Example Question #732 : Text Completion
The foul was so _________________, she was thrown out of the game.
reclusive
affable
egregious
inconsequential
effusive
egregious
Being thrown out of a game is a very serious penalty, and the correct answer will indicate the seriousness of the foul to warrant such a punishment. "Egregious," meaning extremely or obviously bad, is the correct answer.
Example Question #733 : Text Completion
The young man, who was quite aware of his quick temper, used to joke that certain volatile situations were as as his mood.
agitated
meretricious
mercurial
recalcitrant
unknown
mercurial
The key phrase is the subordinate clause, "who was quite aware of his quick temper." The volatile situations are compared to this temper, which alters quickly. The most tempting wrong answers are "agitated" and "unknown." Either of these (particularly the latter) could indicate a changing mood that is volatile; however, "mercurial" is more directly related in meaning to such a characteristic of having a changing mood.
Example Question #734 : Text Completion
The grandson was left with no other option than adding the medicine to his grandmother’s pudding. If she had known about the treatment, she would have refused to take the medication.
unwittingly
silently
minutely
surreptitiously
underhandedly
surreptitiously
The second sentence gives the sense of the blank. The grandmother clearly does not want the medicine; therefore, she must not know about it. Although we might be tempted by "underhandedly," there is not reason to add such negative tones. "Silently" might be tempting because of the secrecy, but it is not the best option. The best answer would be "surreptitiously," which best captures the secrecy of the grandson's action, without adding any other meanings.
Example Question #735 : Text Completion
The girl was too _________________ for her own good, as her cleverness often got her in trouble with teachers.
perspicacious
affable
obsequious
personable
nefarious
perspicacious
The structure of the sentence effectively pairs the correct answer with "cleverness." The correct answer will therefore be a synonym of "cleverness" or wit. "Perspicacious," meaning insightful or sharp, is the best choice.
Example Question #736 : Text Completion
The pilot was alarmed by the development, as the self-destruct button was ___________.
itinerant
inconsequential
irrevocable
torpid
subversive
irrevocable
The "self-destruct button" and the pilot being alarmed indicate the seriousness of the situation. The correct answer will need to appropriately fit this context in the sentence. "Irrevocable," meaning unchangeable or unable to be cancelled, is the best fit among the choices.
Example Question #737 : Text Completion
The man was seen as so ______________, he could never truly be generous in the eyes of most people.
nefarious
obstreperous
personable
nebulous
perspicacious
nefarious
The contrasting of the missing word with "generous" indicates the correct answer will be a highly negative word. "Nefarious," meaning wicked or immoral, is the best choice.
Example Question #738 : Text Completion
The family friendly veneer of the show hid how ___________ its message truly was.
mundane
hoary
subversive
personable
affable
subversive
The sentence contrasts the "family friendly veneer of the show" with the missing word. The best fit will be a word indicating something not "family friendly." "Subversive," meaning undermining or rebellious, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #739 : Text Completion
The cheap man liked the restaurant because the bread and drink refills were ___________.
egregious
excessive
exorbitant
gratis
lavish
gratis
The key to the sentence is that the subject is a "cheap man." The correct answer choice will mean it suited the subject's cheapness. "Gratis," meaning free or without payment, is the correct answer.
Example Question #740 : Text Completion
He began his career as a(n) _______________ teacher, moving between schools in three different small towns.
irreproachable
tenant
egalitarian
intemperate
itinerant
itinerant
The fact the teacher moved between town is the key to finding the answer. The correct answer will indicate the teacher's travels. "Itinerant," meaning nomadic or moving around, is the best fit among the answer choices.