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 #51 : Nouns And Adjectives Or Adverbs 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:

sublime . . . adornments

deficient . . . sophistries

plush . . . appurtenances

scant . . . vanguards

wanting . . . accessories

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 #52 : Nouns And Adjectives Or Adverbs 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

acclivity . . . laborious

descent . . . arduous

declension . . . onerous

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 #53 : Nouns And Adjectives Or Adverbs 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:

covert . . . denunciation

clandestine . . . accolade

conspicuous . . . distinction

monumental . . . citation

undisclosed . . . tyro 

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 #54 : Nouns And Adjectives Or Adverbs 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:

marriage . . . stable

sales . . . plentiful

playing . . . new

usage . . . random

destruction . . . multiplicative

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 #55 : Nouns And Adjectives Or Adverbs 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:

happy . . . insouciance 

sweet  . . . practice

dangerous . . . care

dull . . . patience

fun . . . hilarity

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 #56 : Nouns And Adjectives Or Adverbs 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:

intransigent . . . optimists

adamant . . . skeptics

reluctant . . . cynics

obstinate . . . neophytes

uncertain . . . pessimists

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 #57 : Nouns And Adjectives Or Adverbs 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:

exorbitant . . . addendum

diminutive . . . postscript

superfluous . . . mainstay

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 #58 : Nouns And Adjectives Or Adverbs 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 

sequestered . . . noctambulism

adjoining . . . somnambulism 

adjacent . . . nepotism

remote . . . insomnia

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 #59 : Nouns And Adjectives Or Adverbs 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:

lackadaisical . . . lackey

subservient . . . dignitary

apathetic . . . auxiliary 

subordinate . . . doyen

obsequious . . . adjutant

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 #61 : Nouns And Adjectives Or Adverbs 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

caustic . . . vigilance

placid . . . indisposition

acerbic . . . insomnia

bucolic . . . restlessness

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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