GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #991 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Many critics believed the book's final chapter was ______________, and added nothing to the work overall.
reticent
succinct
pertinent
gratuitous
gratis
gratuitous
The sentence states the final chapter "added nothing." The correct answer will indicate the extra element of the chapter. "Gratuitous," meaning unwarranted and unnecessary, correctly completes the sentence.
Example Question #992 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The secretary grew _____________ with her job, and was actively looking for other work.
goaded
razed
waived
feigned
jaded
jaded
The fact the secretary was "looking for other work" indicates she is unsatisfied with her current job. The correct answer will mean bored or worn down, the exact definition of "jaded."
Example Question #993 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The young woman favored trivial conversations, and strenuously avoided ___________ topics.
gratuitous
genial
subtle
supercilious
weighty
weighty
The sentence's structure contrasts the answer blank with "trivial." The correct answer will mean serious or important, which is the definition of "weighty."
Example Question #744 : Text Completion
His blue mohawk made him a ___________________ figure everywhere in the small town.
subtle
mundane
congenital
conspicuous
condoning
conspicuous
A "blue mohawk" would stick out quite a bit in a small town. The correct answer will show how different and unusual it is. "Conspicuous," meaning obvious or easily seen, is the best choice.
Example Question #993 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The manager developed a ________________ desire to be promoted when he saw the new job's accompanying salary.
equivocating
transgressed
burgeoning
belittling
suppressed
burgeoning
The tone of the sentence indicates the "accompanying salary" makes the manager want the promotion more. The correct answer will show the growth in his desire. "Burgeoning," meaning to flourish or expand, is the best fit among the answer choices.
Example Question #994 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Most commentators considered his new love of environmentalism ________________ because of his past actions against environmentalists.
exceptional
exemplary
exacerbating
illuminating
hypocritical
hypocritical
The switch from being "against environmentalists" to "a love of environmentalism" indicates insincerity. The correct answer should indicate that as well as the criticism implied by the sentence. "Hypocritical," meaning insincere or pretending to believe something when one does not, is the best choice.
Example Question #995 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His mother grew concerned when the usually hyperactive boy was suddenly ___________.
exasperated
exceptionable
lethargic
loquacious
exuberant
lethargic
The sentence indicates the mother is concerned because "the usually hyperactive boy" is acting differently. The correct answer will therefore mean without energy or tired, which is the definition of "lethargic."
Example Question #996 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
After a successful ad campaign, the company had a _______________ month for sales.
saccharin
demure
rotund
robust
limpid
robust
The key word in the sentence is "successful," which indicates the sales were similarly excellent. The correct answer will be a word indicating those good sales and describing their strength. "Robust," meaning healthy and strong, is the best choice.
Example Question #997 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The playful puppy was surprisingly __________________ during his obedience training.
obstreperous
irksome
transgressive
tractable
irascible
tractable
The missing word is contrasted with "playful," and the behavior described by the answer occurs during "obedience training." The correct answer will mean dutiful or obedient, the definition of "tractable."
Example Question #998 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The kitchen, with its strong peppers and vibrant sauces, was a wonderful _____________ experience.
intellectual
hallucinatory
olfactory
pragmatic
auditory
olfactory
The sentence specifically pulls out the peppers and sauces of the kitchen. The correct answer will relate to the experience of those items. "Olfactory," meaning concerned with the sense of smell, is the best choice.
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