GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1071 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
He had a reputation of being _______________ as a young man, but he became a serene presence in his twilight years.
reclusive
mundane
poised
taciturn
zany
zany
The sentence contrasts the man's "serence presence" as he aged, with his younger reputation. The correct answer will mean the opposite of "serene." "Zany," meaning crazy or wacky, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1072 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The general only adopted unusual methods when it became clear _____________ strategies would not work.
conventional
erratic
quirky
novel
obscure
conventional
The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with the general's "unusual methods." The correct answer will effectively mean usual. "Conventional," meaning common or customary, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1073 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Campfire cooking provided a ______________ experience none of the hikers would soon forget.
contemporary
gustatory
olfactory
tactile
auditory
gustatory
The key word in the sentence is "cooking." The correct answer will be a word relating to cooking or eating. "Gustatory," meaning concerned with the sense of taste, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1074 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Thanks to his _______________ spending habits, he had saved quite a bit of money over the years.
lavish
deleterious
judicious
supercilious
jaundiced
judicious
The sentence connects the subject's "spending habits" to his ability to save. The correct answer needs to indicate the man's spending habits were wise and careful enough to save money. "Judicious," meaning reasonable and smart in judgment, is the best choice.
Example Question #1075 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
More than anything else, the ability to make more money through bonuses as a salesman was _________________ in his decision to decline a promotion.
supercilious
ambivalent
incidental
pivotal
elusive
pivotal
The key phrase in the sentence is "more than anything else." The correct answer will stress the role the bonuses played in the decision. "Pivotal," meaning of central importance, is the best choice.
Example Question #762 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The legend states he was so ______________ he once got stuck in a bathtub.
lithe
taciturn
corpulent
wistful
emaciated
corpulent
To get "stuck in a bathtub" requires a person to be quite large. The correct answer needs to mean sizable or big. "Corpulent," meaning grossly fat or overweight, is the best fit.
Example Question #1076 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The motivational speech was an underwhelming recitation of ________________ cliches and lame jokes.
eloquent
hackneyed
candid
novel
brusque
hackneyed
The sentence calls the speech "underwhelming," and pairs the missing word with "lame." The correct answer will further the disappointing nature of the speech. "Hackneyed," meaning common and overused, is the best choice.
Example Question #1077 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Her _______________ manner was surprising, as her parents hardly ever spoke.
taciturn
nomadic
poised
reclusive
loquacious
loquacious
The sentence calls the subject's manner "surprising" in light of her parent's quiet demeanor. The correct answer must stand against her parents' never speaking. "Loquacious," meaning very talkative, is the best choice.
Example Question #1078 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His ______________ approach to the sport soon was copied by competitors and quickly became the standard method.
epistolary
nostalgic
novel
mundane
lax
novel
The approach to the sport "became the standard method" only after being "copied by competitors." This implies it was not the standard method at first, and the correct answer will reflect this. "Novel," meaning new and innovative, is the best choice.
Example Question #792 : One Blank Texts
The investor remained ____________ throughout the meeting, revealing none of his thinking.
ebullient
philanthropic
perpicacious
taciturn
loquacious
taciturn
The investor revealed "none of his thinking" in the meeting, indicating he said almost nothing. The correct answer will mean extremely quiet, which is the definition of "taciturn."
All GRE Verbal Resources
