All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #91 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
Arriving full of idealism, the freshman Senator found it surprisingly difficult to __________ support for his favorite issues.
belie
dissipate
evade
usurp
marshal
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 #92 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The pretender to the throne __________ the crown by defeating his predecessor in battle.
assuaged
discerned
confounded
belied
usurped
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 #93 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
Without his glasses, he was unable to __________ any shapes walking at him.
decimate
facilitate
discern
confound
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 #94 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
Although a target for criticism, she had a special ability to __________ any accusations and come out unscathed.
absorb
parry
instigate
proscribe
propose
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 #95 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
For weeks, the board __________ between the two candidates for CEO.
vacillated
circumscribed
nettled
appeased
collated
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 #96 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The negotiator thought he could __________ both sides by giving in to certain demands.
circumvent
lance
appease
epitomize
hinder
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 #97 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The attempts to __________ the protests backfired, resulting in the largest gathering yet.
circumscribe
circumnavigate
bolster
alleviate
burnish
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 #98 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The mine's product was worthless, as engineers had no way to __________ what was pulled from the ground.
exculpate
deride
pollute
condone
smelt
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 #99 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
His efforts to __________ tax law backfired and got him indicted for fraud.
exculpate
solicit
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 #100 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
Throughout all societies, outsider groups have been __________ against by the dominant culture.
discriminated
alleviated
prostrated
levitated
celebrated
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.