GRE Verbal : Verbs in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #181 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
If he had the time, he preferred to __________ instead of taking the most direct route.
flaunt
burrow
lope
charge
meander
meander
The sentence says he does not take "the most direct route." This means he was going a winding way, which the correct answer should reflect. "Meander," meaning to wander around, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #182 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
Although the president's speech was intended to calm the protest, it actually __________ the protester's anger.
stoked
ameliorated
pacified
relaxed
compensated
stoked
The construction of the sentence contrasts the missing word with the president's intent "to calm." This indicates the correct answer will be an antonym of calming. "Stoked," meaning fueled or enhanced, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #183 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
Due to his simple nature, he was frequently __________ by underhanded schemes.
stoked
embossed
duped
enhanced
doted
duped
The sentence notes the subject had a "simple nature" which brought "underhanded schemes." This indicates the correct answer needs to show he was quite gullible. "Duped," meaning fooled or cheated, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #184 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
Once the opposition asked for more conditions, the group __________ at negotiating any further.
reenergized
stippled
quarried
balked
quirked
balked
The "opposition" has "asked for more conditions" causing the group to do the missing word. The correct answer must indicate the group will no longer negotiate. "Balked," meaning prevented or backed off from, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #185 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The new prime minister wanted to __________ with the country's traditional enemy, in a break from the previous regime.
villify
conciliate
dissipate
condescend
alienate
conciliate
The "new prime minister" sought a "break from the previous regime." This means he wants to approach "the country's traditional enemy" differently. "Conciliate," meaning to bring together, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #621 : Text Completion
After being largely unheralded, her third novel __________ many different awards for the author.
recused
garnered
gamboled
mitigated
rehected
garnered
The sentence describes the author having "many different awards." This indicates the correct answer should mean to gather or collect, the definition of "garnered."
Example Question #622 : Text Completion
The new coach's first task was to __________ a dull and boring team.
hallow
enervate
vivify
further
dampen
vivify
The coach's task applies to "a dull and boring team." This indicates the coach must make them less "dull and boring." "Vivify," meaning to enliven and perk up, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #186 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
In order to distance herself from the extreme views of members of her party, the politician __________ the recent speech by the party leader.
disavowed
acquiesced
endorsed
stagnated
reviled
disavowed
The politician's purpose is to distance herself from the party with her response to the speech. To "disavow" the speech most clearly accomplishes that purpose.
Example Question #187 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
Once his wife passed away, he began to __________ the times he could not spend with her.
rue
sate
caulk
gale
assay
rue
The sentence discusses a man that "could not spend time" with a wife who "passed away," leading to the missing word. The correct answer needs to indicate a desire to have spent time with her. "Rue," meaning regret or sorrow, is the best choice.
Example Question #188 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The new law mandated a severe __________ of resources to the controversial group, thanks to public outrage.
aversion
patronizing
dallying
stinting
jibing
stinting
The "resources" had been going "to the controversial group," which caused "public outrage." This indicates the correct answer will show the resources being diminished. "Stinting," meaning holding back or limiting, is the best choice.
All GRE Verbal Resources
