GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #42 : Conjunctions And Text Logic In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The angry customer's ___________________ was _____________________ with personal attacks and expletives.

Possible Answers:

eulogy . . . awash

diatribe . . . void

encomium . . . rife

harangue . . . replete

Correct answer:

harangue . . . replete

Explanation:

"Harangue" and "replete" is the best choice here. "Encomium" and "eulogy" are positive words, out of place with the customer's anger. "Void" means empty, while a "diatribe" would be more likely to have personal attacks and expletives than not.

Example Question #43 : Conjunctions And Text Logic In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The ___________________ of the star witness's testimony lessened the ___________________ of the prosecution's case.

Possible Answers:

abrogation . . . credibility

recantation . . . solubility

submission . . . tautology

loquacity . . . trajectory

Correct answer:

abrogation . . . credibility

Explanation:

"Abrogation" and "credibility" is the best choice here. Neither "solubility," "tautology," or "trajectory" make sense in the second blank.

Example Question #44 : Conjunctions And Text Logic In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

How the ____________________ computer program worked was a(n) _____________________.

Possible Answers:

convex . . . mystery

labyrinthine . . . enigma

convoluted . . . given

straightforward . . . conundrum

Correct answer:

labyrinthine . . . enigma

Explanation:

"Labyrinthine" and "enigma" is the best choice here. "Convex" is a geometry term, while "given" would imply that the convoluted program is easy, and a "straightforward" or simple program would not be a "conundrum" or puzzle.

Example Question #41 : Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The orator's _________________ was widespread, despite her _________________ manner outside of lectures.

Possible Answers:

acclaim . . . cordial

renown . . . abrasive

obscurity . . . hostile

fame . . . amicable

Correct answer:

renown . . . abrasive

Explanation:

"Renown" and "abrasive" is the best choice here. "Fame" and "acclaim" also fit, but the word "despite" in the sentence signals that the second blank should be an adjective with a negative connotation. Furthermore, "obscurity" would not typically be described as widespread.

Example Question #42 : Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The timid man's ________________ was complete when he spent the party virtually _______________ in the corner.

Possible Answers:

exaltation . . . idling

abasement . . . cowering

aggrandizement . . . cringing 

degradation . . . mingling

Correct answer:

abasement . . . cowering

Explanation:

"Abasement" and "cowering" is the best choice here. "Degradation" would need another negative word for the second blank, while "aggrandizement" and "exaltation" would need another positive word for the second blank; neither "mingling," "cringing," nor "idling" would fit with these.

Example Question #48 : Context Clues In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The subtle _______________ was so similar in technique that it _______________ little suspicion.

Possible Answers:

facsimile . . . prevented

counterfeit . . . engendered

original . . . incited

replica . . . deterred

Correct answer:

counterfeit . . . engendered

Explanation:

"Counterfeit" and "engendered" are the best answer here- the fake was so realistic as to cause little suspicion. Replica and facsimile are close in meaning to counterfeit but "deterred" and "prevented" are antonyms for "engendered," meaning they would have caused a lot of suspicion. "Original" would be an antonym for counterfeit.

Example Question #49 : Context Clues In Two Blank Texts

Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Deidre planted strong-smelling herbs like lemon balm and chives in an effort to __________ deer from eating her flowers; alas, the animals were __________ by the scents and did not flag in their efforts to dine on her garden.

Possible Answers:

deride . . . attracted

repel . . . abashed 

diffuse . . . negated

exculpate . . . rejected

deter . . . unperturbed

Correct answer:

deter . . . unperturbed

Explanation:

The word "alas" shows us that the sentence is shifting in meaning. "Deter" (turn away) and "unperturbed" (not bothered) properly complete the sentence.

Example Question #41 : Two Blank Texts

Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.

In contrast to her boss, whose __________ nature made him too unpredictable and explosive to deal with cantankerous customers, Helen was able to tamp down any frustration she felt and display only __________ towards their clientele. 

Possible Answers:

officious . . . composure

bombastic . . . stoicism 

loathsome . . . fervor

irascible . . . equanimity 

mercurial . . . intractability 

Correct answer:

irascible . . . equanimity 

Explanation:

Here, we are looking for two opposing ideas, the first being "too unpredictable and explosive" and the second being its opposite. "Irascible" (quick to anger) and "equanimity" (calmness) fit.

Example Question #51 : Conjunctions And Text Logic In Two Blank Texts

Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Despite the prosecution’s claim that Milo’s statements were __________, Milo continued to __________ the veracity of his testimony.

Possible Answers:

uncanny . . . bolster

partisan . . . contest

false . . . protest

inconsequential . . . divert

spurious . . . aver

Correct answer:

spurious . . . aver

Explanation:

Key words here are "despite" (indicating that we're looking for a shift in meaning) and "veracity" (truthfulness). "Spurious" (false) and "aver" (to assert) best complete the sentence.

Example Question #52 : Conjunctions And Text Logic In Two Blank Texts

Choose the set of words that best completes the following sentence.

It was true that Trevor wasn’t particularly renowned for his propriety, but he was still shocked that his __________ brother neglected to invite him to his wedding. Surely, Trevor was capable of refraining from his usual __________ for a single night.

Possible Answers:

garrulous . . . grandiloquence

insipid . . . chicanery 

complaisant . . . harangue

vindictive . . . alacrity

abstemious . . . debauchery 

Correct answer:

abstemious . . . debauchery 

Explanation:

The first key word here is "propriety" (respectability, uprightness). The second blank is set up to contrast with "propriety." "Debauchery" (drunkenness, corruptness) fits. Knowing that, we can assume that his brother expresses the opposite of this; he is "abstemious" (self-disciplined, sober).

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