GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #1731 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

Since his work had been highly classified, there was a(n) ______________ ceremony to bestow the _______________ for his fine service.

Possible Answers:

conspicuous . . . distinction

monumental . . . citation

clandestine . . . accolade

undisclosed . . . tyro 

covert . . . denunciation

Correct answer:

clandestine . . . accolade

Explanation:

A “denunciation” is a public reprimand, so it doesn’t fit with the clues of “fine service” or “highly classified.” “Conspicuous” and “monumental” can likewise be eliminated. An “accolade” is an award or honor. “Clandestine” means done in secret. Together, these form the correct answer.

Example Question #1732 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

Although the _____________ of DVD's has tapered within most parts of the world, they have unexpectedly surged in places _______________ places like Sri Lanka.

Possible Answers:

usage . . . random

marriage . . . stable

sales . . . plentiful

playing . . . new

destruction . . . multiplicative

Correct answer:

usage . . . random

Explanation:

"Usage . . . unexpected" makes sense. Usage is one of the nouns that makes sense in the context of DVDs. The word "random" further solidifies that strength of this choice; the earlier adverb "unexpectedly" makes "random" a clear choice.

Example Question #1733 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

Plastic toys can be extremely _____________ for young children and pose a choking hazard, so extreme ____________ must be taken when offering toys to babies for play

Possible Answers:

dangerous . . . care

fun . . . hilarity

happy . . . insouciance 

sweet  . . . practice

dull . . . patience

Correct answer:

dangerous . . . care

Explanation:

"Dangerous" makes sense as the adjective because it refers to the choking hazard; "care" makes sense as a noun because it is the reaction to the danger of the toys

Example Question #1734 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

Despite having a poor start, the coach was __________ his team would defy _______________ and win the championship. 

Possible Answers:

uncertain . . . pessimists

obstinate . . . neophytes

adamant . . . skeptics

reluctant . . . cynics

intransigent . . . optimists

Correct answer:

adamant . . . skeptics

Explanation:

A “neophyte” is a beginner, which wouldn’t make sense given the context. An “optimist” takes a favorable view of an outcome. “Reluctant” or “uncertain” would be the right choice if the sentence had started with “since” instead of “despite.” “Adamant . . . skeptics” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1735 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

She compiled a(n) _____________ amount of data for her report on extraterrestrial sightings, only to insert as a(n) ________________ that she didn’t believe aliens existed.

Possible Answers:

paltry . . . adjunct

diminutive . . . postscript

inordinate . . . dudgeon

exorbitant . . . addendum

superfluous . . . mainstay

Correct answer:

exorbitant . . . addendum

Explanation:

“Dudgeon” means a feeling of indignation. A “mainstay” is a supporter. “Paltry” and “diminutive” don’t work as well as the other three options since a small amount of research would be associated with a disinterest or disbelief in the subject, and there is a sentence shift after the word “only.” “Exorbitant . . . addendum” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1736 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

Seeing inside the kitchen of the ____________ house was easy enough, and it was quite entertaining to watch the scene unfold around midnight. The solitary old man suffered from ________________

Possible Answers:

remote . . . insomnia

bordering . . . malfeasance 

adjoining . . . somnambulism 

sequestered . . . noctambulism

adjacent . . . nepotism

Correct answer:

adjoining . . . somnambulism 

Explanation:

“Sequestered” is similar to “remote” in that it refers to providing privacy or seclusion. If seeing inside the kitchen was easy, we can assume neither of these words apply. “Somnambulism” and “noctambulism” are synonymous with sleepwalking. “Adjoining . . . somnambulism” is the correct response.

Example Question #1737 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

The boy was as _______________ as any little boy could be; so much, that the entire school began to view him as his teacher’s ______________.

Possible Answers:

obsequious . . . adjutant

subordinate . . . doyen

apathetic . . . auxiliary 

lackadaisical . . . lackey

subservient . . . dignitary

Correct answer:

obsequious . . . adjutant

Explanation:

“Obsequious” describes acting in a servile manner, but almost overly so. An obsequious person could easily be called a “teacher’s pet.” An “adjutant” is often someone who serves as an assistant to someone of higher rank, like a general; but it can also be used to describe a loyal follower in a classroom. “Obsequious . . . adjutant” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1738 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

Her relentless, ______________ words haunted him day and night, so much that he began to suffer bouts of ________________.

Possible Answers:

caustic . . . vigilance

placid . . . indisposition

acerbic . . . insomnia

vitriolic . . . ardor

bucolic . . . restlessness

Correct answer:

acerbic . . . insomnia

Explanation:

“Bucolic” may sound similar to “vitriolic,” “caustic,” and “acerbic,” but its meaning could not be more different. “Bucolic” refers to ideal country living. Similarly, “placid” means calm and peaceful. “Haunted him day and night” implies that he is having trouble sleeping. “Acerbic . . . insomnia” is the correct response.

Example Question #1739 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

He was a self-described ______________ of a heavy metal band that toured the country; as a(n) _________________ fan, he would stand closest to the stage at every concert.

Possible Answers:

fanatic . . . captious

disciple . . . fetid

adversary . . . avid

antagonist . . . impassioned

acolyte . . . ardent

Correct answer:

acolyte . . . ardent

Explanation:

“Captious” sounds like “captivating,” but the meaning is quite different. “Captious” means to find fault. “Adversary” and “antagonist” cannot work as “avid” and “impassioned” fans do not describe an enemy. “Acolyte . . . ardent” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1740 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

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

Even though the song artist’s performance was ________________, the atrocious ________________ of the spacious auditorium was too hard to overcome.

Possible Answers:

transcendent . . . sinecure

harrowing . . . transmission

consummate . . . vicissitude

sublime . . . acoustics

deplorable . . . magnitude

Correct answer:

sublime . . . acoustics

Explanation:

We know that the whatever goes in the first blank cannot be negative because the second part of the sentence refers to something “atrocious” to be “overcome;” and, since there is a sentence shift, we know that both parts of the sentence cannot be negative. “Sublime” means inspiring and impressive. “Acoustics” refers to the sound quality of a location. Together, these form the correct response.

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