GRE Verbal : Text Completion

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #160 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The boy's decisions were rarely __________, and recklessness often got him in trouble.

Possible Answers:

perspicacious

fortuitous

mercurial

prescient

prudent

Correct answer:

prudent

Explanation:

The boy is described as having a particular "recklessness." If his decisions were "rarely" of something, then the correct answer must be an antonym of "reckless." "Prudent," meaning responsible and wise, is the best choice.

Example Question #851 : Text Completion

The children were taught a solid colored egg was healthy, and that __________ ones should be avoided.

Possible Answers:

speckled

petrified

illusory

opaque

smooth

Correct answer:

speckled

Explanation:

The choices contain a few words that might work, but the best fit for the sentence must be chosen. The correct answer will mean not "solid colored," as the structure of the sentence shows. "Speckled," meaning spotted or freckled, is the best choice.

Example Question #852 : Text Completion

His devotion to an __________ lifestyle caused him to refuse all expensive and lavish gifts.

Possible Answers:

insipid

ascetic

acrid

obtuse

excessive

Correct answer:

ascetic

Explanation:

The sentence notes that he refuses "expensive and lavish gifts." The correct answer will therefore indicate he avoids luxury items. "Ascetic," meaning excessively simple and sparse, is the best fit.

Example Question #853 : Text Completion

She was so used to working nights, that becoming __________ was quite difficult.

Possible Answers:

diurnal

mercurial

nocturnal

torpid

tractable

Correct answer:

diurnal

Explanation:

The subject of the sentence was "working nights," but has had to change her habits. The correct answer needs to mean active or awake in daytime, the definition of "diurnal."

Example Question #854 : Text Completion

The encounter with the CEO was __________, as it directly led to the college student getting a job.

Possible Answers:

histrionic

innocuous

nondescript

ominous

fortuitous

Correct answer:

fortuitous

Explanation:

The meeting "directly led" to a job, making it a lucky break for the college student. The correct answer needs to reflect this element of luck. "Fortuitous," meaning happening by chance, is the best choice.

Example Question #855 : Text Completion

His __________ recordkeeping made the company able to track every sale it ever made.

Possible Answers:

meticulous

obscure

supercilious

mercurial

erratic

Correct answer:

meticulous

Explanation:

The company's ability "to track every sale" meants the subject of the sentence kept very good records. The correct answer should mean extremely careful and precise, the definition of "meticulous."

Example Question #856 : Text Completion

His __________ attitude towards women prevented him from having any serious relationships.

Possible Answers:

puerile

perceptive

irreproachable

sage

perspicacious

Correct answer:

puerile

Explanation:

The subject's attitude towards women is preventing him from having "serious relationships." The correct answer needs to show how detrimental his attitude is. "Puerile," meaning immature and childish, is the best choice.

Example Question #857 : Text Completion

The __________ nature of the storms meant the meant the area received little consistent rainfall.

Possible Answers:

sporadic

pervasive

belligerent

potent

predictable

Correct answer:

sporadic

Explanation:

The sentence notes there was "little consistent rainfall." The storms that produce the rain would be similarly inconsistent. "Sporadic," meaning not continous and intermittent, is the correct answer.

Example Question #858 : Text Completion

His __________ writing style did not adapt well to short-form journalism.

Possible Answers:

verbose

astute

exemplary

succinct

meticulous

Correct answer:

verbose

Explanation:

The subject's "writing style" is not compatible with "short-form journalism." As the correct answer describes the style, it needs to clash with the principles of the "short-form." "Verbose," meaning overly wordy and long winded, is the best choice.

Example Question #859 : Text Completion

Thanks to an __________ examination, every detail of the company's expenses was analyzed.

Possible Answers:

insipid

eloquent

extraneous

assiduous

erratic

Correct answer:

assiduous

Explanation:

The key phrase in the sentence is "every detail." This indicates the examination looked at all elements of "the company's expenses." "Assiduous," meaning thorough and dilligent, is the correct answer.

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