GRE Verbal : Verbs in One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #101 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

Instead of walking directly to his office, he would __________ around to say hello to everyone.

Possible Answers:

meander

peruse

prostrate

belabor

flaunt

Correct answer:

meander

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with "walking directly." The correct answer must mean wandering around, the definition of "meander."

Example Question #102 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

The group undertook an advertising campaign to __________ support for their cause.

Possible Answers:

decimate

emaciate

flaunt

solicit

waylay

Correct answer:

solicit

Explanation:

The group has "an advertising campaign" for their own cause. The correct answer will indicate they were attempting to gather support. "Solicit," meaning to ask or seek, is the best choice.

Example Question #103 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

The angry mob __________ for the deposed king's head outside the castle.

Possible Answers:

negotiated

solicited

clamored

acquiesced

appeased

Correct answer:

clamored

Explanation:

The sentence deals with an "angry mob" seeking a "king's head." The manner in which they ask for his head should match their anger. "Clamored," meaning shouted or screamed, is the correct answer.

Example Question #104 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

The young man decided to __________ his new car by driving it back and forth on the town's main drag.

Possible Answers:

congeal

conceal

deflect

flaunt

portend

Correct answer:

flaunt

Explanation:

The young man is driving his car "on the town's main drag," a highly visible location. This means he wants people to see his new car. "Flaunt," meaning show off or obviously display, is the correct answer.

Example Question #105 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

Jealous of her classmate's popularity and hoping to harm her reputation, Rohini __________ several cruel and untrue rumors about her.

Possible Answers:

hindered

perpetuated

dissembled

misdirected

contradicted

Correct answer:

perpetuated

Explanation:

Because "dissembled" means to have concealed, it would be unlikely that Rohini would be trying to hide the rumors. "Contradicted", meaning spoke out against, is also unlikely. "Hindered", meaning slowed, also does not make sense. "Misdirected" also makes little sense because Rohini would want these rumors to be clearly targeted and not misdirected; however, it does make sense that she would "perpetuate, or prolong the existence of, such rumors in order to harm another girl's reputation.

Example Question #106 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

He was well know for his ability to __________, and he rarely used a script while speaking.

Possible Answers:

debilitate

extemporize

scrutinize

lionize

deliberate

Correct answer:

extemporize

Explanation:

The sentence notes that the subject "rarely used a script while speaking." This means the correct answer will indicate not needing a script. "Extemporize," meaning to speak with little preparation or off the cuff, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #107 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

The ballplayer's simple mistake saw him __________ by his coach for his errors.

Possible Answers:

advocated

pacified

eulogized

lambasted

embellished

Correct answer:

lambasted

Explanation:

The sentence notes both the player made a "simple mistake" and that the coach did the missing word to the player because he had "errors." The correct answer will show a criticism or anger from the coach. "Lambasted," meaning verbally attacked, is the best option among the answers.

Example Question #108 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

For his own safety, the accused criminal was __________ from the public's wrath in an undisclosed location.

Possible Answers:

cloistered

reproved

fortified

broached

breached

Correct answer:

cloistered

Explanation:

The "accused criminal" is taken to "an undisclosed location" to avoid the "public's wrath." This means the "accused criminal" is being hidden away and isolated, the definition of "cloistered," which is the correct answer.

Example Question #109 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

His inability to succeed at chess __________ him of the idea he excelled at any game.

Possible Answers:

engendered

disaffected

lavished

emboldened

disabused

Correct answer:

disabused

Explanation:

The subject thought he "excelled at any game," but his experience with chess was different. The correct answer needs to indicate that the subject was wrong. "Disabused," meaning to have someone's mind changed, is the best choice.

Example Question #110 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

The new laws __________ new issues none of its supporters believed would develop.

Possible Answers:

engendered

disabused

atoned

engrafted

averred

Correct answer:

engendered

Explanation:

The "new laws" had things that developed despite what its supporters thought would happen. This means they caused or brought into being, the definition of "engendered," which is the correct answer.

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