GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1042 : One Blank Texts
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
Although Bill has a temper, his anger is always __________, and his calm temperament often returns quite quickly.
ephemeral
irascible
dormant
ebullient
porous
ephemeral
The choice that makes the most sense is "ephemeral," lasting for a short time.
Example Question #1043 : One Blank Texts
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
The __________ man was never to be trusted; even though he seemed to be telling the truth, James knew there was a better chance he was lying.
malleable
mendacious
meticulous
maudlin
mercurial
mendacious
The choice that makes the most sense is "mendacious," lying; habitually dishonest.
Example Question #1044 : One Blank Texts
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
The boxing coach has never given up on a fighter that has __________ talent.
laconic
lucid
latent
irresolute
lethargic
latent
The choice that makes the most sense is "latent," undeveloped potential; hidden.
Example Question #1045 : One Blank Texts
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
The survival expert is totally __________ to the harsh climate.
inured
inundated
infernal
inflated
inert
inured
The choice that makes the most sense is "inured," accustomed or hardened, especially to something unpleasant.
Example Question #1046 : One Blank Texts
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
The __________ bellboy was to Annie more annoying than helpful.
obsolete
opportune
officious
notable
objective
officious
The choice that makes the most sense is "officious," assertive and meddlesome in an annoying way; pushy in offering something.
Example Question #1331 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that best completes the blank in the sentence.
Professor Robinson's monotone voice and complicated examples were too __________ for Jimmy to keep his eyes open.
tangential
viable
rarefied
soporific
laconic
soporific
The choice that makes the most sense is "soporific," tending to induce drowsiness or sleep.
Example Question #1331 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Earthquakes are a __________ problem for that area's residents, who experience two or three significant ones per year, every year.
sporadic
felicitous
ephemeral
perennial
anomalous
perennial
Because we know that the residents of the area being described deal with two or three earthquakes "per year, every year," we know that earthquakes are a recurring problem in the state and need an adjective for the first blank that suggests this. We can discard "felicitous," which means well chosen or suited to the circumstances, as well as "ephemeral," (lasting for a very short time) "anomalous," (different from what is normal or expected) and "sporadic," (occurring at irregular intervals; having no pattern or order in time). We are left with the best answer choice, "perennial," which means lasting or existing for a long or apparently infinite time; enduring or continually recurring.
Example Question #1332 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The cleric hated turning from spiritual matters to what he saw to be merely affairs.
mundane
blue-collar
tedious
pharisaical
quotidian
mundane
The sense of opposition in this sentence is indicated by the word "merely." Don't be tricked by this into some of the words such as "tedious" or even "blue-collar." The opposition is to "spiritual;" therefore, "mundane" is the best answer. Usually, this word is used in the sense of lacking interest or perhaps boring (or even tedious); however, its root is from the Latin "mundus" meaning world or universe. In English, this etymology is reflected in the extended meaning of "mundane" which signifies being earthly in distinction to heavenly or spiritual.
Example Question #1334 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
He hated unnecessary aesthetic details, so his furniture was strictly __________.
benign
ominous
utilitarian
lavish
malicious
utilitarian
The subject avoids "unnecessary aesthetic details," so his furniture follows this pattern. The correct answer must indicate simplicity or a lack of finery. "Utilitarian," meaning useful and functional, is the best choice.
Example Question #1333 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
A rather __________ individual, he could barely throw or catch a foam ball in gym class without tripping over his own feet and ending up on the floor.
gauche
maladroit
saturnine
gregarious
artless
maladroit
Because our subject "trip[s] over his own feet," we're looking for a word that means clumsy. While "gauche," "artless," and "maladroit" may initially all appear to be likely choices, "gauche" specifically refers to awkwardness of a social, not physical, variety, and "artless" actually means without guile or deception. So, the answer is "maladroit"—ineffective, bungling, or clumsy.
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