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 #401 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The hearty meal ________________ the hungry teen boys, who were also _____________ because they just ran around without drinking any water.
stopped . . . alive
tired . . . bright
satiated . . . famished
perplexed . . . inundated
annoyed . . . soft
satiated . . . famished
"Satiated" is the proper response because it refers to the action that a big meal gives to hungry boys--making them full. The word "famished" refers to their not having had much water recently.
Example Question #402 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Subject to extreme fines, the jaywalker immediately _____________ to the sidewalk to avoid the glances of the _____________ police, desperate to hand out tickets
sat . . . mad
bolted . . . dogged
eased . . . loving
rolled . . . tired
sashayed . . . innervated
bolted . . . dogged
"Bolted" is suggested by the fines that the jaywalker would incur and the desire to avoid them. "Dogged" refers to the effort of the desperate police trying to give out tickets
Example Question #403 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
"Do not do that!" yelled the angry mother, who proceeded to _____________ her child for acting _____________ to the nice cashier
admonish . . . rudely
worship . . . loudly
applaud . . . secretly
praise . . . solemnly
scold . . . kindly
admonish . . . rudely
"Admonish" is one of the only choices that makes sense, along with "scold", echoing the sentiment from the harsh words at the beginning of the sentence. "Rudely" solidifies "admonish" as the only choice, as "kindly" does not fit
Example Question #404 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The band's outfit choice was ______________ by the media for its fresh, innovative appeal, while their _____________ songs, released yesterday, were bashed
praised . . . latest
snubbed . . . halcyon
negated . . . blue
encouraged . . . welcome
upbraided . . . fiery
praised . . . latest
The word "praised" makes sense because it matches the positive descriptors of the outfit that follows later in the sentence; "latest" makes sense as an adjective because the next phrase, "released yesterday" gives evidence of the recent nature of the songs
Example Question #405 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Stopping at the traffic light, the _____________ old woman, frustrated by the traffic, rolled down her window and ______________ the young driver for his loud music.
violent . . . laughed
cantankerous . . . berated
odious . . . applauded
basic . . . undermined
calm . . . roared
cantankerous . . . berated
The modifier "cantankerous" applies to the woman's demeanor, with "frustration" providing a clue. The word "berated" works due to context--none of the other verbs are transitive and can operate without a conjunction besides this option and "undermined", which doesn't make sense.
Example Question #406 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Seldom does the ___________ woman say nice things-most people expect only meanness-but today, she _____________ the community into her home and apologized for her previous unkindness.
flat . . . glanced
shocking . . . braided
pleasant . . . excused
churlish . . . welcomed
mellifluous . . . maligned
churlish . . . welcomed
"Churlish" describes the demeanor of the woman who only does unkind things. "Welcomed" is the only verb that works to describe the bringing together of the community.
Example Question #407 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The _____________ woman, not phased by anything, took a running leap at the tiger, who similarly _______________ no mortal.
sly . . . ornery
frightened . . . loved
whipped . . . disregard
pleasant . . . worshiped
brave . . . feared
brave . . . feared
"Brave" works because it frames the actions of the woman running towards a tiger; "feared" works as well, because it is set up in the sentence as the emotion that both the tiger and the woman are both supposed to lack.
Example Question #408 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Though the title of the play would elicit anything but a(n) ____________ psychological reaction, the performance itself _____________ the minds of every audience member.
instinctual . . . burnished
intimate . . . jaded
visceral . . . addled
pedestrian . . . disconcerted
conventional . . . bewildered
visceral . . . addled
Note that the first part of the sentence presents us with a double shift, indicated by “though” and “anything but.” Thus, both parts of the sentence are more or less equivalent. “Jaded” means to make weary or dull. “Visceral” refers to an intuitive feeling involving base emotions. To “addle” means to confuse. “Visceral . . . addled” is our answer.
Example Question #409 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
She was ______________ to ______________ his request, seeing as how he had dominated the conversation the last time she had consented to meet with him.
eager . . . accede
disinclined . . . veto
loath . . . acquiesce
averse . . . spurn
keen . . . consent
loath . . . acquiesce
Since he had dominated their last conversation, it seems unlikely that she would be “eager” or “keen” to meet with him. Do not confuse “loath” with “loathe;” loath means to be reluctant. “Acquiesce” means to agree to something. These two form the correct answer.
Example Question #410 : Two Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The ______________ murderer was eventually caught, and after a lengthy trial, he was _____________ of all charges.
reputed . . . impugned
apparent . . . expurgated
convicted . . . absolved
remorseful . . . exonerated
alleged . . . acquitted
alleged . . . acquitted
“Impugn” means to call into question something false or wrong. “Expurgate” means to censor. Since it wouldn’t make sense for a guilty murderer to be “absolved” or “exonerated,” these two can be eliminated. This leaves us with “alleged . . . acquitted” as the correct answer.
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