GRE Verbal : Parts of Speech in Two-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #221 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Her basic outfit was _______________ until she implemented an exhaustive effort to procure the necessary ______________.

Possible Answers:

wanting . . . accessories

scant . . . vanguards

plush . . . appurtenances

deficient . . . sophistries

sublime . . . adornments

Correct answer:

wanting . . . accessories

Explanation:

Since she made the effort to add to the outfit, we can assume the basic outfit was neither “sublime” nor “plush.” “Sophistries” sounds similar to “sophisticated,” but it is actually a fallacious method of reasoning. “Wanting . . . accessories” is the correct response.

Example Question #222 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

After several miles of relatively flat terrain, she knew the _______________ was going to be a(n) _________________ undertaking.

Possible Answers:

incline . . . inconsiderable

ascent . . . facile

descent . . . arduous

declension . . . onerous

acclivity . . . laborious

Correct answer:

acclivity . . . laborious

Explanation:

Note that “inconsiderable” is not synonymous with “considerable.” “Inconsiderable” means it is not worth considering or noticing. To find the correct answer, we must check both words to see if they render a cogent sentence. “Acclivity” is an upward slope. “Laborious” means it requires a lot of work. These two words logically combine to give us the best answer.

Example Question #223 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Since his work had been highly classified, there was a(n) ______________ ceremony to bestow the _______________ for his fine service.

Possible Answers:

undisclosed . . . tyro 

covert . . . denunciation

monumental . . . citation

conspicuous . . . distinction

clandestine . . . accolade

Correct answer:

clandestine . . . accolade

Explanation:

A “denunciation” is a public reprimand, so it doesn’t fit with the clues of “fine service” or “highly classified.” “Conspicuous” and “monumental” can likewise be eliminated. An “accolade” is an award or honor. “Clandestine” means done in secret. Together, these form the correct answer.

Example Question #224 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Although the _____________ of DVD's has tapered within most parts of the world, they have unexpectedly surged in places _______________ places like Sri Lanka.

Possible Answers:

destruction . . . multiplicative

playing . . . new

usage . . . random

marriage . . . stable

sales . . . plentiful

Correct answer:

usage . . . random

Explanation:

"Usage . . . unexpected" makes sense. Usage is one of the nouns that makes sense in the context of DVDs. The word "random" further solidifies that strength of this choice; the earlier adverb "unexpectedly" makes "random" a clear choice.

Example Question #225 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Plastic toys can be extremely _____________ for young children and pose a choking hazard, so extreme ____________ must be taken when offering toys to babies for play

Possible Answers:

sweet  . . . practice

dangerous . . . care

fun . . . hilarity

dull . . . patience

happy . . . insouciance 

Correct answer:

dangerous . . . care

Explanation:

"Dangerous" makes sense as the adjective because it refers to the choking hazard; "care" makes sense as a noun because it is the reaction to the danger of the toys

Example Question #226 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Despite having a poor start, the coach was __________ his team would defy _______________ and win the championship. 

Possible Answers:

obstinate . . . neophytes

uncertain . . . pessimists

intransigent . . . optimists

adamant . . . skeptics

reluctant . . . cynics

Correct answer:

adamant . . . skeptics

Explanation:

A “neophyte” is a beginner, which wouldn’t make sense given the context. An “optimist” takes a favorable view of an outcome. “Reluctant” or “uncertain” would be the right choice if the sentence had started with “since” instead of “despite.” “Adamant . . . skeptics” is the correct answer.

Example Question #227 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

She compiled a(n) _____________ amount of data for her report on extraterrestrial sightings, only to insert as a(n) ________________ that she didn’t believe aliens existed.

Possible Answers:

superfluous . . . mainstay

diminutive . . . postscript

exorbitant . . . addendum

inordinate . . . dudgeon

paltry . . . adjunct

Correct answer:

exorbitant . . . addendum

Explanation:

“Dudgeon” means a feeling of indignation. A “mainstay” is a supporter. “Paltry” and “diminutive” don’t work as well as the other three options since a small amount of research would be associated with a disinterest or disbelief in the subject, and there is a sentence shift after the word “only.” “Exorbitant . . . addendum” is the correct answer.

Example Question #228 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Seeing inside the kitchen of the ____________ house was easy enough, and it was quite entertaining to watch the scene unfold around midnight. The solitary old man suffered from ________________

Possible Answers:

bordering . . . malfeasance 

remote . . . insomnia

adjoining . . . somnambulism 

adjacent . . . nepotism

sequestered . . . noctambulism

Correct answer:

adjoining . . . somnambulism 

Explanation:

“Sequestered” is similar to “remote” in that it refers to providing privacy or seclusion. If seeing inside the kitchen was easy, we can assume neither of these words apply. “Somnambulism” and “noctambulism” are synonymous with sleepwalking. “Adjoining . . . somnambulism” is the correct response.

Example Question #229 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The boy was as _______________ as any little boy could be; so much, that the entire school began to view him as his teacher’s ______________.

Possible Answers:

apathetic . . . auxiliary 

subordinate . . . doyen

lackadaisical . . . lackey

obsequious . . . adjutant

subservient . . . dignitary

Correct answer:

obsequious . . . adjutant

Explanation:

“Obsequious” describes acting in a servile manner, but almost overly so. An obsequious person could easily be called a “teacher’s pet.” An “adjutant” is often someone who serves as an assistant to someone of higher rank, like a general; but it can also be used to describe a loyal follower in a classroom. “Obsequious . . . adjutant” is the correct answer.

Example Question #230 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Her relentless, ______________ words haunted him day and night, so much that he began to suffer bouts of ________________.

Possible Answers:

vitriolic . . . ardor

bucolic . . . restlessness

placid . . . indisposition

acerbic . . . insomnia

caustic . . . vigilance

Correct answer:

acerbic . . . insomnia

Explanation:

“Bucolic” may sound similar to “vitriolic,” “caustic,” and “acerbic,” but its meaning could not be more different. “Bucolic” refers to ideal country living. Similarly, “placid” means calm and peaceful. “Haunted him day and night” implies that he is having trouble sleeping. “Acerbic . . . insomnia” is the correct response.

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