GRE Verbal : Verbs in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #834 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The general's attack did not seek to destroy his opponent, but simply to __________ the opposing forward line.
fusillade
masticate
eviscerate
enervate
propagate
enervate
The sentence explicitly notes that the attack would not "destroy his opponent," and the missing word has to mean harming, but less than "destroy." The correct answer needs to mean weaken or fatigue, the definition of "enervate."
Example Question #835 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The team's poor play in the season opener __________ a difficult year for their fans.
imitated
equivocated
resuscitated
enervated
presaged
presaged
The sentence notes the team's fans had "a difficult year" after their "poor play in the season opener." This means the correct answer will therefore indicate a connection between the team's play in their opener and the rest of the year. "Presaged," meaning forewarned or foreshadowed, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #836 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The only way to solve the decades old murder was to __________ the victim for analysis.
entomb
disinter
disregard
venerate
flout
disinter
The sentence notes that the victim of a "decades old murder" had to be "analyzed." The correct answer will indicate that a dead body had to looked at and examined. "Disinter," meaning to dig up or remove from a grave, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #837 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The plan was simply to __________ the procession, but it ended up completely cancelling it.
deride
eviscerate
impede
hallow
orate
impede
The plan actually "ended up completely cancelling" the procession, although it was only supposed to do the missing word. This means that the correct answer will show it was not supposed to go that far. "Impede," meaning to hinder or get in the way, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #838 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The recipe carefully instructed that the ingredients should not __________ until specifically instructed to blend them.
commingle
emboss
eschew
separate
cant
commingle
The recipe directs ingredients should only mix when "specifically instructed." This indicates the correct answer will mean blending or coming together, the definition of "commingling."
Example Question #839 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
With the monument, the veterans' group hoped to __________ the battlefield in the memory of the wounded and fallen.
hallow
obviate
impede
disinter
desecrate
hallow
The sentence describes a "veterans' group" placing a memorial for "the wounded and fallen." The correct answer needs to indicate that the group is making the memorial a special place. "Hallow," meaning to worship or revere, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #840 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
A good appetizer will __________ a diner's appetite without ruining the meal.
confound
pique
obscure
resolve
obliterate
pique
The sentence describes a "good appetizer" as not "ruining the meal." This means an appetizer will enhance or help an appetite. "Pique," meaning to stimulate interest, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #841 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The shopkeeper was slowly __________ of his money by the protection racket of the gang leader.
overwhelmed
recanted
recompensed
engorged
milked
milked
The "shopkeeper" has his money affected by a "protection racket," or a scheme where a strongman takes money under threats of violence. The correct answer should indicate the shopkeeper is losing money through force or being pressured out of his money, which is the definition of "milked."
Example Question #842 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
After it was revealed he had so many scandals, his image was __________ beyond recovery.
dormant
tarnished
submerged
enhanced
apposite
tarnished
The sentence notes that the subject "had so many scandals," whose effect on "his image" is described by the missing word. The correct answer needs to indicate harm or hurt. "Tarnished," meaning made dull (as in brass), and here used metaphorically, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #843 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The discovery of the secret plans __________ the ability of the conspirators to pull them off.
simplified
facilitated
abetted
compromised
comforted
compromised
The "conspirators" now will have difficulty because of "the discovery of the secret plans." The correct answer should indicate complication and trouble. "Compromised," meaning damaged or placed in doubt, is the best choice among the answers.
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