GRE Verbal : Verbs in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #526 : Text Completion
Arriving full of idealism, the freshman Senator found it surprisingly difficult to __________ support for his favorite issues.
evade
marshal
usurp
belie
dissipate
marshal
The Senator finds some aspect of dealing with "his favorite issues" difficult, despite being "full of idealism." This indicates that he cannot convince others on the issues. "Marshal," meaning to gather together, is the correct answer.
Example Question #527 : Text Completion
The pretender to the throne __________ the crown by defeating his predecessor in battle.
usurped
assuaged
discerned
confounded
belied
usurped
"The pretender" defeated the former king in battle. The correct answer will indicate that the pretender took possesion of the crown. "Usurp," meaning to take away someone's position, is the best fit.
Example Question #528 : Text Completion
Without his glasses, he was unable to __________ any shapes walking at him.
discern
confound
decimate
facilitate
eviscerate
discern
The sentence notes the man has trouble performing the missing word "without his glasses." This means the correct answer will be something difficult with poor vision. "Discern," meaning to distinguish or understand, is the best choice.
Example Question #529 : Text Completion
Although a target for criticism, she had a special ability to __________ any accusations and come out unscathed.
proscribe
instigate
parry
propose
absorb
parry
The subject will "come out unscathed," so she is not harmed by the accusations. The correct answer will indicate the criticism is being turned off by the subject. "Parry," meaning to deflect or fend off, is the best choice.
Example Question #530 : Text Completion
For weeks, the board __________ between the two candidates for CEO.
nettled
appeased
collated
vacillated
circumscribed
vacillated
The board had "two candidates for CEO" it was dealing with "for weeks." This means the board was taking time to make a decision. "Vacillated," meaning wavering or hesitating, is the correct answer.
Example Question #91 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The negotiator thought he could __________ both sides by giving in to certain demands.
lance
appease
circumvent
hinder
epitomize
appease
A negotiator's job is to settle disagreements. If he is "giving in to certain demands," then he is trying to help both sides. "Appease," meaning to pacify or calm, is the correct answer.
Example Question #92 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The attempts to __________ the protests backfired, resulting in the largest gathering yet.
burnish
circumnavigate
circumscribe
bolster
alleviate
circumscribe
The missing word did not work but "backfired," causing "the largest gathering yet." This means the correct answer needs to indicate a suppresion of the protests. "Circumscribe," meaning to limit or prohibit, is the best choice.
Example Question #93 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The mine's product was worthless, as engineers had no way to __________ what was pulled from the ground.
pollute
deride
smelt
exculpate
condone
smelt
The substance "pulled from the ground" is "worthless" because doing the missing word is impossible. The correct answer needs to mean a process that makes raw material valuable. "Smelt," meaning to refine an ore into usable metal, is the correct answer.
Example Question #94 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
His efforts to __________ tax law backfired and got him indicted for fraud.
solicit
exculpate
ordain
appease
circumvent
circumvent
If a person gets indicted, then he is not obeying the law. The correct answer will reflect his dislike or avoidance of "tax law." "Circumvent," meaning to go around or move out of the way of, is the best choice.
Example Question #95 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
Throughout all societies, outsider groups have been __________ against by the dominant culture.
levitated
celebrated
discriminated
alleviated
prostrated
discriminated
The missing word is something a "dominant culture" does to "outsider groups." The correct answer will show the strength possessed by the "dominant" over the "outsiders." "Discriminated," meaning to look down on and act against due to difference, is the best choice.
All GRE Verbal Resources
