GRE Verbal : Adjectives and Adverbs in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #881 : Text Completion
He was notably __________ about his job, and his boss thought he wanted to be fired.
enthusiastic
ebullient
sagacious
apathetic
rigorous
apathetic
The fact "his boss thought he wanted to be fired" means he is not doing his job well. The correct answer will show his poor performance and attitude. "Apathetic," meaning indifferent or uninterested, is the best choice.
Example Question #882 : Text Completion
His delay was __________, as it meant he missed seeing the accident firsthand.
supercilious
immoderate
prolific
felicitous
inappropriate
felicitous
Missing "seeing the accident firsthand" is a good thing. This means the subject's delay was a positive development. "Fortuitous," meaning lucky or fortunate, is the correct answer.
Example Question #883 : Text Completion
The poet considered true love __________, and pointedly refused to write about it.
succinct
ineffable
subtle
cogent
lucid
ineffable
If the poet "refused to write about it," then it can safely be assumed the poet finds it difficult to write about. The correct answer must explain why it is difficult to write about. "Ineffable," meaning hard to put into words, is the best choice.
Example Question #884 : Text Completion
The creature was baffling to zoologists, who did not know it was a __________, because they could not see its pouch.
invertebrate
omnivore
marsupial
relic
amphibian
marsupial
The sentence notes the "creature" had a "pouch," which makes finding the correct answer fairly straightforward. A "marsupial" is a mammal with a pouch to carry its young.
Example Question #885 : Text Completion
The congressman was accused of being __________ and never caring what happened in his colleagues' districts.
munificent
parochial
altruistic
generous
egalitarian
parochial
The congressman's lack of concern for "his colleagues' districts" indicates his interest only in matters that concern his district. "Parochial," meaning narrow minded or obsessed with local concerns, is the best fit.
Example Question #886 : Text Completion
She was highly __________ of her sister's boasts, and demanded proof of her achievements.
equivocal
nostalgic
gullible
skeptical
dispassionate
skeptical
Having "demanded proof" of the boasts, it is clear the subject does not believe her sister. The correct answer should mean doubting or disbelieving, the definition of skeptical.
Example Question #887 : Text Completion
The gangster took __________ routes to his destinations to make it harder on his enemies to track him.
infamous
expedient
punctilious
inexorable
circuitous
circuitous
The gangster is trying "to make it harder" to be tracked, which means his routes will be hard to follow. The correct answer must mean indirect or roundabout, the definition of "circuitous."
Example Question #888 : Text Completion
He was so __________ in the kitchen, he could hardly chop vegetables.
inept
dextrous
inexorable
adroit
exemplary
inept
As "he could hardly chop vegetables," his skill in the kitchen is obviously severely limited. The correct answer needs to mean unskilled or incompetent, the definition of "inept."
Example Question #889 : Text Completion
The politician played up a __________ image, but was actually born into considerable wealth.
parochial
lavish
bourgeois
proletarian
lofty
proletarian
The politician has "played up" an image at odds with being "born into considerable wealth." The correct answer needs to mean not wealthy, or even poor. "Proletarian," meaning of the working class, is the best choice.
Example Question #891 : Text Completion
The story's many unrealistic elements led scholars to believe it was __________.
parsimonious
circuitous
irreproachable
apocryphal
verifiable
apocryphal
Because the story contains "unrealistic elements," it can safely be assumed that the stories are false or incorrect. The correct answer will indicate some level of inaccuracy. "Apocryphal," meaning of doubtful origin or legendary, is the correct answer.
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