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 #973 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The foul was so _________________, she was thrown out of the game.
affable
reclusive
effusive
inconsequential
egregious
egregious
Being thrown out of a game is a very serious penalty, and the correct answer will indicate the seriousness of the foul to warrant such a punishment. "Egregious," meaning extremely or obviously bad, is the correct answer.
Example Question #981 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The young man, who was quite aware of his quick temper, used to joke that certain volatile situations were as as his mood.
recalcitrant
mercurial
agitated
meretricious
unknown
mercurial
The key phrase is the subordinate clause, "who was quite aware of his quick temper." The volatile situations are compared to this temper, which alters quickly. The most tempting wrong answers are "agitated" and "unknown." Either of these (particularly the latter) could indicate a changing mood that is volatile; however, "mercurial" is more directly related in meaning to such a characteristic of having a changing mood.
Example Question #982 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The grandson was left with no other option than adding the medicine to his grandmother’s pudding. If she had known about the treatment, she would have refused to take the medication.
surreptitiously
unwittingly
underhandedly
silently
minutely
surreptitiously
The second sentence gives the sense of the blank. The grandmother clearly does not want the medicine; therefore, she must not know about it. Although we might be tempted by "underhandedly," there is not reason to add such negative tones. "Silently" might be tempting because of the secrecy, but it is not the best option. The best answer would be "surreptitiously," which best captures the secrecy of the grandson's action, without adding any other meanings.
Example Question #671 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The girl was too _________________ for her own good, as her cleverness often got her in trouble with teachers.
obsequious
perspicacious
nefarious
personable
affable
perspicacious
The structure of the sentence effectively pairs the correct answer with "cleverness." The correct answer will therefore be a synonym of "cleverness" or wit. "Perspicacious," meaning insightful or sharp, is the best choice.
Example Question #672 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The pilot was alarmed by the development, as the self-destruct button was ___________.
torpid
inconsequential
irrevocable
subversive
itinerant
irrevocable
The "self-destruct button" and the pilot being alarmed indicate the seriousness of the situation. The correct answer will need to appropriately fit this context in the sentence. "Irrevocable," meaning unchangeable or unable to be cancelled, is the best fit among the choices.
Example Question #673 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The man was seen as so ______________, he could never truly be generous in the eyes of most people.
perspicacious
obstreperous
nebulous
personable
nefarious
nefarious
The contrasting of the missing word with "generous" indicates the correct answer will be a highly negative word. "Nefarious," meaning wicked or immoral, is the best choice.
Example Question #674 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The family friendly veneer of the show hid how ___________ its message truly was.
affable
personable
subversive
mundane
hoary
subversive
The sentence contrasts the "family friendly veneer of the show" with the missing word. The best fit will be a word indicating something not "family friendly." "Subversive," meaning undermining or rebellious, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #675 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The cheap man liked the restaurant because the bread and drink refills were ___________.
exorbitant
egregious
excessive
lavish
gratis
gratis
The key to the sentence is that the subject is a "cheap man." The correct answer choice will mean it suited the subject's cheapness. "Gratis," meaning free or without payment, is the correct answer.
Example Question #676 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
He began his career as a(n) _______________ teacher, moving between schools in three different small towns.
intemperate
irreproachable
egalitarian
itinerant
tenant
itinerant
The fact the teacher moved between town is the key to finding the answer. The correct answer will indicate the teacher's travels. "Itinerant," meaning nomadic or moving around, is the best fit among the answer choices.
Example Question #983 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The survey found the once isolated belief now to be __________________.
gratuitous
perspicacious
defunct
pervasive
unheralded
pervasive
The sentence contrasts the "once isolated" status of the belief with missing word. The correct answer will therefore mean ever present or widespread, which is the definition of "pervasive."
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