GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #901 : One Blank Texts
His costume, replete with stovetop hat and distinctive beard, was a convincing Abraham Lincoln; however, the digital watch on his wrist was a completely __________ prop.
relevant
anachronistic
appurtenant
contemporary
anachronistic
Anachronistic—not in its correct historical or chronological time; an error in chronology.
Example Question #1191 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The __________ legend about the abandoned house at the end of the block was almost certainly untrue.
indubitable
incontrovertible
unequivocal
apocryphal
apocryphal
Apocryphal—of doubtful authorship or authenticity.
Example Question #1191 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Although it recycled concepts from previous work, the musical arrangment was heralded by critics as __________.
esoteric
nebulous
innovative
ingenuous
stolid
innovative
The "although" here is a clue—it shows that despite using old material, the composition is the opposite of that. "Innovative" is the correct answer, meaning "advanced and original, featuring new methods." Don't confuse "ingenuous" with "ingenious"—it means "innocent."
Example Question #1192 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Volatile and __________, the President changed the administration's policies frequently.
sententious
esurient
bucolic
bromidic
capricious
capricious
The conjunction "and", as well as the comma, are clues here. So we're looking for a word that refers both to being volatile (changing rapidly and unpredictably) and changing frequently—the same thing. "Capricious" fits best—meaning "given to sudden changes in mood or behavior."
Example Question #1193 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The guitar student in the apartment adjoining ours had __________ talent; although the music reaching our apartment was anything but mellifluous, we could tell he possessed a latent sense of rhythm and musicality.
precocious
repressed
conspicuous
inchoate
dubitable
inchoate
The sentence states that although the guitar student doesn't produce beautiful music at the moment, he is advancing in his musical abilities. Thus, he has inchoate talent that is being formed.
Example Question #1194 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Although Stephanie was normally loquacious, her teacher's incessant scolding due to her disruptive nature caused her to be more __________ during history class.
mettlesome
reticent
insouciant
duplicitous
loquacious
reticent
Since she was normally gregarious or sociable, Stephanie's teacher needed to scold her for being too talkative. Thus, to eliminate the scolding, Stephanie was "reticent," or reserved, during class.
Example Question #1195 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
After seeing her new and improved complexion, Sara's friends thought her glow was undoubtedly due to her recent switch to __________ vegetarian meals.
insipid
indulgent
salubrious
banal
saccharine
salubrious
Based upon the statement that Sara has a glow due to her new diet, it indicates her diet is healthy and she is partaking in "salubrious" vegetarian meals.
Example Question #1196 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Unlike her neighbors who ostentatiously displayed their wealth with grandiose sculptures on their front lawn, Brittney was simple and preferred a(n) __________ style of living.
miserly
ascetic
epicurean
aristocratic
urbane
ascetic
The key word in the sentence is "simple," which suggests that Brittney prefers an "ascetic," or simple, way of living to that of her indulgent neighbors. Miserly suggests a stingy way of living and based upon the statement, this would not be the best answer.
Example Question #1197 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Although a doctoral student would typically be distraught if his or her doctoral thesis was not approved after years of research, this particular doctoral candidate simply gave a shrug and said a few __________ remarks to the panel before exiting the conference room.
incredulous
derisive
incoherent
histrionic
cavalier
cavalier
Since the doctoral student seemed unconcerned after his or her thesis was rejected by the panel, the student most likely made "cavalier" remarks or offhand statements.
Example Question #1198 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Rather than using verbose descriptions in the pamphlet about local environmental concerns, the technical writer instead gave __________ descriptions of the key conservation issues, much to the appreciation of those reading the pamphlet.
laconic
florid
pedantic
colloquial
esoteric
laconic
The author of the pamphlet uses a writing style that is the opposite of verbose writing; this indicates that he has an economical style of writing with "laconic" descriptions.
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