GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1041 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
A frightened animal will often take a _______________ pose to look threatening to other animals.
belligerent
exasperated
jocular
surreptitious
languid
belligerent
The animal is both "frightened" and trying "to look threatening." The correct answer needs to reflect the animal's aggression. "Belligerent," meaning willing and looking to fight, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1042 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The painter was often overshadowed by _______________ artists whose fame did not outlive them.
contemporary
transient
inconsequential
callow
redundant
contemporary
The painter is compared to what must be similar artists, "whose fame did not outlive them." The comparison is to artists from the same era as the painter. "Contemporary," meaning at the same time, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1043 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
After the illness made her unable to eat solid foods, she looked _____________.
consecrated
emaciated
embroiled
engrossed
ordained
emaciated
The sentence notes she was "unable to eat solid foods," and then uses the missing word. The correct answer will indicate she looked under fed or malnourished. "Emaciated," meaning very thin or withered, is the best choice.
Example Question #1044 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Weeks after going to the beach, his shoes were still ______________ with sand.
lacquered
benign
poised
gritty
redundant
gritty
The sand makes the shoes become the missing word. Sand is coarse an uncomfortable in shoes, and the correct answer should reflect this. "Gritty," meaning rough and coarse, is the best fit among the choices.
Example Question #1045 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The Congressman preferred _________________ statements on the issue to avoid giving away how he would vote.
contrite
ambiguous
jingoistic
acrimonious
cogent
ambiguous
The Congressman is trying "to avoid giving away how he would vote," so his statements will presumably be unclear. "Ambiguous," meaning uncertain or unclear, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1046 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The new charity sought to tap into the ___________________ desires of the city's wealthy.
philanthropic
susceptible
salacious
lascivious
nomadic
philanthropic
The key word in the sentence is "charity," and indicates that the "desires" relate to giving. The correct answer will mean supportive of charities and helping others, the definition of philanthropic.
Example Question #758 : One Blank Texts
Some people blamed his _______________ demeanor on a childhood experience, but others just thought he was mean.
demure
contrite
affable
surly
candid
surly
The man is outright described as "mean," so the missing word will in some way be a synonym of "mean." Of all the answer choices, "surly," meaning grumpy or rude, is the best fit.
Example Question #759 : One Blank Texts
The stories often took place in a _______________ realm that distorted reality.
whimsical
gritty
histrionic
alchemical
philistine
whimsical
The sentence says the realm changes reality. The correct answer will indicat that the realm is odd or fantastical. "Whimsical," meaning fanciful and imaginative, is the best choice.
Example Question #1047 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The scandalized politician appeared _____________, and hoped the voters would accept his apology.
susceptible
congenial
contrite
irascible
bellicose
contrite
The last phrase of the sentence mentions the politician's "apology," and pairs it with the missing word. The correct answer needs to indicate an apologetic tone, which is the definition of "contrite."
Example Question #1048 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Early humans all lived a _____________ existence, traveling to find food where they could.
nonchalant
nomadic
jubilant
philanthropic
trivial
nomadic
The sentence focuses on "early humans . . . traveling to find food." The correct answer will describe this traveling. "Nomadic," meaning to wander from place to place, is the best answer choice.
All GRE Verbal Resources
