GRE Verbal : Verbs in One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #251 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

Her ability to predict what her students would do made them think she was a __________.

Possible Answers:

pedant

contemporary

sibyl

paragon

liturgy

Correct answer:

sibyl

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly notes that she has an "ability to predict what her students would do," which is the best clue to the answer.  The correct answer must indicate someone who can see the future. "Sibyl," meaning a prophetess, after a Greek myth, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #252 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

The slip and fall __________ an already existing injury.

Possible Answers:

exacerbated

illustrated

corroborated

obviated

cogitated

Correct answer:

exacerbated

Explanation:

The key to the answer is the phrase "already existing injury."  This means the injury described by the sentence took the existing injury and made it worse, the definition of "exacerbated."

Example Question #253 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

His appetite was limitless, and no meal could ever truly __________ him.

Possible Answers:

satiate

doff

ingratiate

fawn

obviate

Correct answer:

satiate

Explanation:

The subject's "appetite was limitless," which means one meal would not be enough. The correct answer should mean to satisfy or fill up, the definition of "satiate," which is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #254 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

After multiple injuries from playing with the toys, they were __________ at the school.

Possible Answers:

solaced

approved

ogled

proscribed

demurred

Correct answer:

proscribed

Explanation:

The toys have caused "multiple injuries," so presumably they are not wanted at a school. The correct answer must mean forbidden or outlawed, the definition of "proscribed."

Example Question #255 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.

While he was once a great athlete, he had let his fitness __________ once he was no longer playing every day.

Possible Answers:

expand

restore

encroach

improve

languish

Correct answer:

languish

Explanation:

The structure of the sentence indicates that the athlete is no longer as fit as he used to be. The correct answer choice needs to indicate that he has let himself go. "Languish," meaning suffer or decline, is the only choice that makes sense in the sentence.

Example Question #256 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

His first action as leader was to ______________ those who opposed him to unimportant positions.

Possible Answers:

advocate

congeal

eulogize

relegate

alleviate

Correct answer:

relegate

Explanation:

The new leader is making his opponents go to "unimportant positions." The correct answer will indicate this movement to irrelevance. "Relegate," meaning dismissed to a lower position, is the best choice.

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