GRE Verbal : Verbs in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #426 : One Blank Texts
He would often complement his lengthy academic texts with shorter books that _____________ the same arguments.
discombobulated
recanted
congealed
recapitulated
subverted
recapitulated
The sentence indicates that the "shorter books" said the "same arguments" as the larger ones. The correct answer will then mean to restate or summarize, which is the definition of "recapitulated."
Example Question #427 : One Blank Texts
Her awkward walk ________________ a grace that was present in her ballet dancing.
reproved
belied
implied
portended
ascertained
belied
The dancer's "awkward walk" is contrasted with her grace while dancing through the missing word. The correct word will indicate the surprising nature of her dancing ability. "Belied," meaning contradicted or misrepresented, is the best choice.
Example Question #428 : One Blank Texts
After being left out in the snow, the glove had ________________ into a rock hard lump.
hydrated
petrified
defoliated
elucidated
congealed
petrified
The phrase "rock hard lump" is the best clue to the answer. The best choice needs to indicate the glove becoming that "rock hard lump." "Petrified," meaning turned into stone or a stone like substance, is the correct answer.
Example Question #429 : One Blank Texts
He frequently criticized his children, _______________ them for minor flaws.
belittling
befuddling
bemusing
beleaguering
beknighting
belittling
The sentence parallels "criticized" and the correct answer, making them synonyms. Of all the answer choices, "belittling" is the only synonym of "criticized."
Example Question #430 : One Blank Texts
The guitarist could not help but __________ the collection of fancy instruments.
transgress
disdain
ordain
goad
ogle
ogle
A guitarist will appreciate a "collection of fancy instruments." The correct answer will indicate the guitarists admiration and appreciation of the collection. "Ogle," meaning to stare or obviously look at, is the best choice.
Example Question #431 : One Blank Texts
The archaeologist was most well known for _________________ a theory on human development with which no other scholars agreed.
postulating
recapitulating
suppressing
substantiating
exemplifying
postulating
Many of the answer choices could fit the sentence, but one choice will fit best. The theory is one "with which no other scholars agreed," which means it is controversial and unproven. "Postulating," meaning hypothesize or propose, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #712 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The young man decided to ______________ his resumé by interning at a prestigious company.
downplay
waylay
burnish
undermine
execrable
burnish
The "prestigious company" gives a clue that the young man wishes to improve the status of his resumé. "Burnish," meaning to polish or bolster, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #721 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The committee always ______________ a great deal, never deciding anything quickly.
deliberated
recanted
exemplified
immoderated
denuded
deliberated
"Never deciding anything quickly" is the key phrase in the sentence. The correct answer will indicate the slowness of the committee. "Deliberated," meaning to think over carefully and slowly, is the best choice.
Example Question #722 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The politician always wanted statistics to ________________ the claims he made in his speeches.
buttress
bulwark
retract
transgress
counteract
buttress
The politician is concerned about the claims in his speech, and would want to support them with statistics. The correct answer will mean to strengthen or back up, which is the definition of "buttress."
Example Question #411 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
After the scandal, members ______________ the party in large numbers and left it a shell of its former self.
allayed
evacuated
prorogued
enhanced
cajoled
evacuated
The phrase "a shell of its former self" indicates the party shrunk in size. The correct answer will indicate the movement of the members out of the party. "Evacuate," meaning to vacate or empty, is the best choice.
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