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 #1132 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The recent transformation of the television show into season-long narratives has allowed television writers to tell more complex and __________ stories.
desultory
succinct
multifaceted
inane
unremarkable
multifaceted
The key word in the above sentence is “complex,” and its use with “and” tells you to look for a synonym of “complex.” Of the four answer choices, only "multifaceted" is a synonym for “complex.”
Example Question #1133 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The art student frequently saw his own work in a __________ vein, breaking the previously established patterns set forth by his instructor.
progressive
mundane
trivial
jejune
pathetic
progressive
The art student perceives himself to be an innovator, pushing against the boundaries of his instructor’s advice. Only one of the answer choices, “progressive,” indicates a desire to go further than his instructor desires.
Example Question #1134 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Flanders was often seen as __________ by his colleagues because of his habit of offering to help with any task his employer undertook.
counterproductive
careful
welcoming
stringent
sycophantic
sycophantic
The first sentence indicates Flanders’ colleagues are annoyed by him. “Welcoming” and “careful” both have too many positive connotations to be the correct answer. Flanders’ offers of help could be "productive," but are certainly an attempt to flatter his boss, which is the definition of “sycophantic.”
Example Question #1135 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Robert Burns is considered the __________ Scottish poet, as his work is famous throughout Scotland and is seen to embody Scottish culture.
unimpressive
quintessential
mediocre
irrelevant
dispensible
quintessential
The second half of the sentence indicates that Robert Burns is held in high regard, so "quintissential" is the best answer choice.
Example Question #1136 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Fred frequently looked back __________ on his time in the military, viewing it as the “glory days” that he could never recover.
wistfully
thoughtfully
despairingly
cynically
angrily
wistfully
Fred’s view of his past “glory days” indicates the positive feelings towards the military Fred holds, ruling out "angrily" and "despairingly." "Thoughtfully" does not work because of the simple manner in which Fred regards his military experience.
Example Question #1137 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
His demeanor was often considered ___________ due to his aloof manner and biting comments.
conspicuous
jolly
gentlemanly
haughty
exemplary
haughty
Both “aloof manner” and “biting comments” tell us that the word we are looking for needs to indicate something poor about the subject’s personality. Only one word, “haughty,” carries such a meaning.
Example Question #1138 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Her fashion sense was considered quite __________, as it gave the impression she had not updated her wardrobe in years.
exceptional
antiquated
pedestrian
trendy
avant-garde
antiquated
The inability of the woman to update her wardrobe indicates she is old-fashioned. This is the exact meaning of “antiquated,” making it the best fit for this sentence.
Example Question #1139 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ texture of the airline pillow irritated Angela’s face and made her long flight all the more vexatious.
abrasive
lustrous
dexterous
monotonous
significant
abrasive
You are looking for an adjective that would describe how a pillow might irritate someone’s face and make their flight "vexatious," or unpleasant. "Abrasive" means rough, coarse, or harsh, so is the only answer choice that fits the context of the sentence.
Example Question #1140 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Thomas’ bookshelves were __________ with works of literature, especially his many beloved detective novels.
formidable
replete
vacuous
destitute
noxious
replete
You are looking for an adjective that would describe Thomas’ “many” books on a bookshelf. Since "replete" means full, it is the only answer choice that fits the context of the sentence.
Example Question #1141 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Do not take for granted the time you have, asserts the playwright; life is more __________ than you think.
epistolary
ephemeral
poignant
resplendent
nugatory
ephemeral
The playwright suggests that you should appreciate the time you have because life is fleeting. "Ephemeral" best completes the sentence because it means short-lived.
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