GRE Verbal : Text Completion

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #169 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts

The patient veered wildly between a noticeable dementia and __________ throughts.

Possible Answers:

cogent

eclectic

eccentric

hypocritical

tottering

Correct answer:

cogent

Explanation:

The "patient veered wildly," meaning the missing word has to reflect a real difference from "noticeable dementia." The correct answer should mean well thought out and lucid, the definition of "cogent."

Example Question #861 : Text Completion

The __________ parties could rarely be brought to the negotiating table.

Possible Answers:

innocuous

fractious

affable

ambivalent

tractable

Correct answer:

fractious

Explanation:

The parties have trouble reaching "the negotiating table," which indicates they do not get along. The correct answer must reflect their disagreement. "Fractious," meaning irritable and unruly, is the best choice.

Example Question #862 : Text Completion

For the awkward boys, the popular girls remained an __________ presence beyond their comprehension.

Possible Answers:

illuminating

inscrutable

ominous

olfactory

omnipotent

Correct answer:

inscrutable

Explanation:

The sentence outright states the "popular girls" were "beyond their comprehension" for the boys. The correct answer must further this incomprehensibility. "Inscrutable," meaning mysterious and impenetrable, is the best fit among the choices.

Example Question #863 : Text Completion

No flaw went unnoticed thanks to the director's __________ nature.

Possible Answers:

irreproachable

fractious

dogmatic

erratic

punctilious

Correct answer:

punctilious

Explanation:

The director notices every flaw, a habit described by the missing word. The correct answer must mean paying attention to small details, the definition of "punctilious."

Example Question #864 : Text Completion

His __________ claims about the incident were easily refuted by other people who were there.

Possible Answers:

verbose

esoteric

restorative

benign

spurious

Correct answer:

spurious

Explanation:

The subject's claims were "easily refuted," which indicates the claims are incorrect in some way. The correct answer must mean dubious or false, the definition of "spurious."

Example Question #865 : Text Completion

The dog appeared ferocious at first, but quickly proved to be quite __________.

Possible Answers:

bellicose

belligerent

histrionic

docile

remorseful

Correct answer:

docile

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with "ferocious;" therefore, the correct answer will be an antonym of "ferocious." "Docile," meaning gentle or easily controlled, is the best answer choice.

Example Question #866 : Text Completion

Although he practiced medicine for a decade, he was instantly fired when the hospital discovered his license was __________.

Possible Answers:

authentic

fraudulent

excessive

insentient

jeopardized

Correct answer:

fraudulent

Explanation:

The subject was "instantly fired," so the problems with his license were quite serious. The correct answer needs to indicate the appropriate level of seriousness. "Fraudulent," meaning fake and deceptively false, is the best choice.

Example Question #867 : Text Completion

Before the mission, he was __________ and went through every scenario in his head.

Possible Answers:

ambivalent

pensive

flippant

voluble

reckless

Correct answer:

pensive

Explanation:

Looking at "every scenario in his head" means he was analyzing the mission in great detail. The correct answer should mean deep reflection or thinking intensely, the definition of "pensive."

Example Question #868 : Text Completion

Cut off from the main river, the water in small estuary became __________.

Possible Answers:

officious

dynamic

potable

effusive

stagnant

Correct answer:

stagnant

Explanation:

The estuary is "cut off from the main river," meaning it does not receive a regular flow of water. The correct answer must reflect this change in the water. "Stagnant," meaning still and unmoving, is the best choice.

Example Question #869 : Text Completion

He was an __________ judge of investments, and made millions in the stock market.

Possible Answers:

astute

exuberant

irksome

indifferent

inept

Correct answer:

astute

Explanation:

Having "made millions in the stock market" means he judged investments quite well, and the correct answer must reflect this. "Astute," meaning perceptive and sharp, is the best choice.

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