GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1031 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The design style of the mansion was pure _______________, featuring expensive chandeliers and gold fixtures.
rustic
banality
opulence
mendacity
archaic
opulence
The "expensive chandeliers and gold fixtures" are the best clue to the answer. The correct answer needs to indicate extreme wealth. "Opulence," meaning extremely expensive and gaudy, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1032 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Many romance novels are banned from libraries for their ________________ nature and shocking scenes.
laudatory
sagacious
irreproachable
exegetical
salacious
salacious
Both "romance" and "shocking" are used as descriptors of the banned books, as well as the missing word. The correct answer needs to fit with both of the other words mentioned. "Salacious," meaning lecherous or sensational, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #1033 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The newscaster was exciting as a young man, but increasingly spoke in _____________ soundbites as he grew older.
ebullient
beguiling
effusive
trite
subversive
trite
The newscaster's current style, described by the missing word, is contrasted with his "exciting" style as a young man. The correct answer will then be an antonym of "exciting." "Trite," meaning boring and overused, is the best fit among the choices.
Example Question #1034 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The teacher tried to draw out the student, whose personality made him reluctant to speak up in class.
voluble
succinct
reticent
jaunty
hysterical
reticent
The student is shy/reserved, which means he is not voluble, hysterical, or jaunty. He may be succinct, but the impression is that he is shy, not just that he uses few words. He is reticent.
Example Question #722 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The two nations' _____________ rhetoric was seen as a chief reason for their fighting.
benign
jaunty
bellicose
phlegmatic
ambiguous
bellicose
The sentence outright states the two nations were fighting because of their rhetoric. The correct answer needs to indicate the hatred and posturing by the nations that would cause conflict. "Bellicose," meaning aggressive and war like, is the correct answer.
Example Question #97 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The young man wanted to be the _______________ actor, and tailored his habits after his acting role models.
egregious
subversive
contemporary
consummate
altruistic
consummate
Copying his "role models" means the young man is trying to live up to them. The correct answer will demonstrate the boys' desire to perfection as an actor. "Consummate," meaning total or supremely good, is the best choice.
Example Question #1035 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The solution to the problem was _______________, no matter what the scientists tried.
irreproachable
elusive
exceptionable
potent
deleterious
elusive
The phrase "no matter what the scientists tried," indicates the solution was never found. The correct answer needs to demonstrate their uncertainty or fruitlessness. "Elusive," meaning difficult to grasp or pin down, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #1038 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The introverted son faded into the background among his many ______________ relatives.
gregarious
irascible
jaundiced
negligent
supercilious
gregarious
The sentence contrasts the missing word with the son's "introverted" personality. The correct answer will then mean extroverted or sociable, the definition of "gregarious."
Example Question #99 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
Years of watching legislation fail made the lobbyist _______________ about getting the initiative passed.
jaundiced
torpid
ebullient
placated
jocular
jaundiced
"Watching legislation fail" means the lobbyist would not expect the initiative to pass now. The correct answer will show the lobbyist's dejection and negativity. "Jaundiced," meaning cynical or pessimistic, is the best choice.
Example Question #1036 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
As a young girl, she was a ________________ gymnast who beat everyone her age.
indifferent
irksome
superlative
supercilious
substandard
superlative
The girl "beat everyoe her age" as a gymnast, so presumably she was quite good. The correct answer needs to indicate just how good she was. "Superlative," meaning extremely good or the very best, is the most appropriate answer choice.
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