GRE Verbal : Text Completion

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #821 : Text Completion

She was noted as being the most __________________ woman in town, as she vistited holy shrines regularly.

Possible Answers:

erratic

potable

notorious

pious

infamous

Correct answer:

pious

Explanation:

The missing word is elaborated on by the phrase "visited holy shrines regularly." The correct answer needs to indicate the woman was extremely religious, the definition of "pious."

Example Question #822 : Text Completion

Many therapists encourage _______________ methods to promote human contact with their patients.

Possible Answers:

erratic

reclusive

aloof

tactile

bestial

Correct answer:

tactile

Explanation:

The key phrase in the sentence is "human contact." The correct answer needs to relate to "human contact" in some way. "Tactile," meaning related to the sense of touch, is the best fit.

Example Question #823 : Text Completion

He had a reputation of being _______________ as a young man, but he became a serene presence in his twilight years.

Possible Answers:

poised

taciturn

mundane

zany

reclusive

Correct answer:

zany

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts the man's "serence presence" as he aged, with his younger reputation. The correct answer will mean the opposite of "serene." "Zany," meaning crazy or wacky, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #824 : Text Completion

The general only adopted unusual methods when it became clear _____________ strategies would not work.

Possible Answers:

conventional

novel

obscure

quirky

erratic

Correct answer:

conventional

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with the general's "unusual methods." The correct answer will effectively mean usual. "Conventional," meaning common or customary, is the correct answer.

Example Question #825 : Text Completion

Campfire cooking provided a ______________ experience none of the hikers would soon forget.

Possible Answers:

olfactory

gustatory

tactile

auditory

contemporary

Correct answer:

gustatory

Explanation:

The key word in the sentence is "cooking." The correct answer will be a word relating to cooking or eating. "Gustatory," meaning concerned with the sense of taste, is the correct answer.

Example Question #826 : Text Completion

Thanks to his _______________ spending habits, he had saved quite a bit of money over the years.

Possible Answers:

lavish

judicious

supercilious

jaundiced

deleterious

Correct answer:

judicious

Explanation:

The sentence connects the subject's "spending habits" to his ability to save. The correct answer needs to indicate the man's spending habits were wise and careful enough to save money. "Judicious," meaning reasonable and smart in judgment, is the best choice.

Example Question #827 : Text Completion

More than anything else, the ability to make more money through bonuses as a salesman was _________________ in his decision to decline a promotion.

Possible Answers:

supercilious

pivotal

ambivalent

incidental

elusive

Correct answer:

pivotal

Explanation:

The key phrase in the sentence is "more than anything else." The correct answer will stress the role the bonuses played in the decision. "Pivotal," meaning of central importance, is the best choice.

Example Question #788 : One Blank Texts

The legend states he was so ______________ he once got stuck in a bathtub.

Possible Answers:

corpulent

lithe

wistful

taciturn

emaciated

Correct answer:

corpulent

Explanation:

To get "stuck in a bathtub" requires a person to be quite large. The correct answer needs to mean sizable or big. "Corpulent," meaning grossly fat or overweight, is the best fit.

Example Question #828 : Text Completion

The motivational speech was an underwhelming recitation of ________________ cliches and lame jokes.

Possible Answers:

novel

hackneyed

candid

brusque

eloquent

Correct answer:

hackneyed

Explanation:

The sentence calls the speech "underwhelming," and pairs the missing word with "lame." The correct answer will further the disappointing nature of the speech. "Hackneyed," meaning common and overused, is the best choice.

Example Question #829 : Text Completion

Her _______________ manner was surprising, as her parents hardly ever spoke.

Possible Answers:

loquacious

nomadic

taciturn

reclusive

poised

Correct answer:

loquacious

Explanation:

The sentence calls the subject's manner "surprising" in light of her parent's quiet demeanor. The correct answer must stand against her parents' never speaking. "Loquacious," meaning very talkative, is the best choice.

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