GRE Verbal : Conjunctions and Text Logic in Two-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Conjunctions And Text Logic In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The electrician finally received _________________ for his work, though the client had originally tried to __________________ him.

Possible Answers:

remuneration . . . bilk

accolades . . . praise

alimony . . . defraud 

compensation . . . reimburse

Correct answer:

remuneration . . . bilk

Explanation:

"Remuneration" (payment) and "bilk" (cheat) are the best answer here. To be "compensated" and to be "reimbursed" mean the same thing, as does to receive accolades and to receive praise, and the sentence here suggests that the client originally tried to do something different from the first word choice, not the same. "Alimony" is spousal support and so does not make sense with the sentence.

Example Question #42 : Conjunctions And Text Logic In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

It was a _________________ philosophical question, and accordingly it required a(n) __________________ answer.

Possible Answers:

complex . . . simplistic

vexing . . . accessible

facile . . . elaborate

knotty . . . nuanced

Correct answer:

knotty . . . nuanced

Explanation:

"Knotty" and "nuance" is the best answer here. The word "accordingly" in the sentence signals that the two blanks need to correspond to each other. All other answer choices give two opposites or near-opposites, not two related words.

Example Question #43 : Conjunctions And Text Logic In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The angry customer's ___________________ was _____________________ with personal attacks and expletives.

Possible Answers:

diatribe . . . void

eulogy . . . awash

encomium . . . rife

harangue . . . replete

Correct answer:

harangue . . . replete

Explanation:

"Harangue" and "replete" is the best choice here. "Encomium" and "eulogy" are positive words, out of place with the customer's anger. "Void" means empty, while a "diatribe" would be more likely to have personal attacks and expletives than not.

Example Question #44 : Conjunctions And Text Logic In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The ___________________ of the star witness's testimony lessened the ___________________ of the prosecution's case.

Possible Answers:

submission . . . tautology

loquacity . . . trajectory

abrogation . . . credibility

recantation . . . solubility

Correct answer:

abrogation . . . credibility

Explanation:

"Abrogation" and "credibility" is the best choice here. Neither "solubility," "tautology," or "trajectory" make sense in the second blank.

Example Question #45 : Conjunctions And Text Logic In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

How the ____________________ computer program worked was a(n) _____________________.

Possible Answers:

convoluted . . . given

convex . . . mystery

straightforward . . . conundrum

labyrinthine . . . enigma

Correct answer:

labyrinthine . . . enigma

Explanation:

"Labyrinthine" and "enigma" is the best choice here. "Convex" is a geometry term, while "given" would imply that the convoluted program is easy, and a "straightforward" or simple program would not be a "conundrum" or puzzle.

Example Question #46 : Conjunctions And Text Logic In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The orator's _________________ was widespread, despite her _________________ manner outside of lectures.

Possible Answers:

obscurity . . . hostile

renown . . . abrasive

fame . . . amicable

acclaim . . . cordial

Correct answer:

renown . . . abrasive

Explanation:

"Renown" and "abrasive" is the best choice here. "Fame" and "acclaim" also fit, but the word "despite" in the sentence signals that the second blank should be an adjective with a negative connotation. Furthermore, "obscurity" would not typically be described as widespread.

Example Question #47 : Conjunctions And Text Logic In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The timid man's ________________ was complete when he spent the party virtually _______________ in the corner.

Possible Answers:

degradation . . . mingling

exaltation . . . idling

aggrandizement . . . cringing 

abasement . . . cowering

Correct answer:

abasement . . . cowering

Explanation:

"Abasement" and "cowering" is the best choice here. "Degradation" would need another negative word for the second blank, while "aggrandizement" and "exaltation" would need another positive word for the second blank; neither "mingling," "cringing," nor "idling" would fit with these.

Example Question #48 : Conjunctions And Text Logic In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The subtle _______________ was so similar in technique that it _______________ little suspicion.

Possible Answers:

original . . . incited

replica . . . deterred

facsimile . . . prevented

counterfeit . . . engendered

Correct answer:

counterfeit . . . engendered

Explanation:

"Counterfeit" and "engendered" are the best answer here- the fake was so realistic as to cause little suspicion. Replica and facsimile are close in meaning to counterfeit but "deterred" and "prevented" are antonyms for "engendered," meaning they would have caused a lot of suspicion. "Original" would be an antonym for counterfeit.

Example Question #49 : Conjunctions And Text Logic In Two Blank Texts

Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Deidre planted strong-smelling herbs like lemon balm and chives in an effort to __________ deer from eating her flowers; alas, the animals were __________ by the scents and did not flag in their efforts to dine on her garden.

Possible Answers:

exculpate . . . rejected

deter . . . unperturbed

diffuse . . . negated

deride . . . attracted

repel . . . abashed 

Correct answer:

deter . . . unperturbed

Explanation:

The word "alas" shows us that the sentence is shifting in meaning. "Deter" (turn away) and "unperturbed" (not bothered) properly complete the sentence.

Example Question #50 : Conjunctions And Text Logic In Two Blank Texts

Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.

In contrast to her boss, whose __________ nature made him too unpredictable and explosive to deal with cantankerous customers, Helen was able to tamp down any frustration she felt and display only __________ towards their clientele. 

Possible Answers:

loathsome . . . fervor

officious . . . composure

bombastic . . . stoicism 

mercurial . . . intractability 

irascible . . . equanimity 

Correct answer:

irascible . . . equanimity 

Explanation:

Here, we are looking for two opposing ideas, the first being "too unpredictable and explosive" and the second being its opposite. "Irascible" (quick to anger) and "equanimity" (calmness) fit.

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