GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #822 : One Blank Texts

For the awkward boys, the popular girls remained an __________ presence beyond their comprehension.

Possible Answers:

olfactory

inscrutable

illuminating

ominous

omnipotent

Correct answer:

inscrutable

Explanation:

The sentence outright states the "popular girls" were "beyond their comprehension" for the boys. The correct answer must further this incomprehensibility. "Inscrutable," meaning mysterious and impenetrable, is the best fit among the choices.

Example Question #1111 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

No flaw went unnoticed thanks to the director's __________ nature.

Possible Answers:

punctilious

dogmatic

erratic

fractious

irreproachable

Correct answer:

punctilious

Explanation:

The director notices every flaw, a habit described by the missing word. The correct answer must mean paying attention to small details, the definition of "punctilious."

Example Question #824 : One Blank Texts

His __________ claims about the incident were easily refuted by other people who were there.

Possible Answers:

esoteric

benign

verbose

restorative

spurious

Correct answer:

spurious

Explanation:

The subject's claims were "easily refuted," which indicates the claims are incorrect in some way. The correct answer must mean dubious or false, the definition of "spurious."

Example Question #825 : One Blank Texts

The dog appeared ferocious at first, but quickly proved to be quite __________.

Possible Answers:

docile

belligerent

bellicose

remorseful

histrionic

Correct answer:

docile

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with "ferocious;" therefore, the correct answer will be an antonym of "ferocious." "Docile," meaning gentle or easily controlled, is the best answer choice.

Example Question #826 : One Blank Texts

Although he practiced medicine for a decade, he was instantly fired when the hospital discovered his license was __________.

Possible Answers:

jeopardized

excessive

fraudulent

insentient

authentic

Correct answer:

fraudulent

Explanation:

The subject was "instantly fired," so the problems with his license were quite serious. The correct answer needs to indicate the appropriate level of seriousness. "Fraudulent," meaning fake and deceptively false, is the best choice.

Example Question #827 : One Blank Texts

Before the mission, he was __________ and went through every scenario in his head.

Possible Answers:

reckless

voluble

pensive

flippant

ambivalent

Correct answer:

pensive

Explanation:

Looking at "every scenario in his head" means he was analyzing the mission in great detail. The correct answer should mean deep reflection or thinking intensely, the definition of "pensive."

Example Question #828 : One Blank Texts

Cut off from the main river, the water in small estuary became __________.

Possible Answers:

stagnant

dynamic

effusive

officious

potable

Correct answer:

stagnant

Explanation:

The estuary is "cut off from the main river," meaning it does not receive a regular flow of water. The correct answer must reflect this change in the water. "Stagnant," meaning still and unmoving, is the best choice.

Example Question #829 : One Blank Texts

He was an __________ judge of investments, and made millions in the stock market.

Possible Answers:

astute

indifferent

inept

irksome

exuberant

Correct answer:

astute

Explanation:

Having "made millions in the stock market" means he judged investments quite well, and the correct answer must reflect this. "Astute," meaning perceptive and sharp, is the best choice.

Example Question #801 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

He was __________ in his opinions, and would never listen to any arguments against his beliefs.

Possible Answers:

reticent

gullible

poised

equivocal

dogmatic

Correct answer:

dogmatic

Explanation:

The sentence notes the subject would "never listen to any arguments." This means he was extremely attached to his opinions, and the correct answer must reflect this. "Dogmatic," meaning rigid and inflexible in beliefs, is the best fit among the answers.

Example Question #802 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

His concern for __________ details made him overlook serious problems in the entire plan.

Possible Answers:

torpid

robust

ominous

frivolous

staid

Correct answer:

frivolous

Explanation:

The subject of the sentence is ignoring "serious problems" by looking at details described by the missing word. The correct answer needs to be an antonym of "serious." "Frivolous," meaning unnecessary or light, is the best fit among the answers.

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