All GRE Verbal Resources
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.
conspicuous . . . distinction
monumental . . . citation
clandestine . . . accolade
undisclosed . . . tyro
covert . . . denunciation
clandestine . . . accolade
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.
usage . . . random
marriage . . . stable
sales . . . plentiful
playing . . . new
destruction . . . multiplicative
usage . . . random
"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
dangerous . . . care
fun . . . hilarity
happy . . . insouciance
sweet . . . practice
dull . . . patience
dangerous . . . care
"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.
uncertain . . . pessimists
obstinate . . . neophytes
adamant . . . skeptics
reluctant . . . cynics
intransigent . . . optimists
adamant . . . skeptics
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.
paltry . . . adjunct
diminutive . . . postscript
inordinate . . . dudgeon
exorbitant . . . addendum
superfluous . . . mainstay
exorbitant . . . addendum
“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 ________________.
remote . . . insomnia
bordering . . . malfeasance
adjoining . . . somnambulism
sequestered . . . noctambulism
adjacent . . . nepotism
adjoining . . . somnambulism
“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 ______________.
obsequious . . . adjutant
subordinate . . . doyen
apathetic . . . auxiliary
lackadaisical . . . lackey
subservient . . . dignitary
obsequious . . . adjutant
“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 ________________.
caustic . . . vigilance
placid . . . indisposition
acerbic . . . insomnia
vitriolic . . . ardor
bucolic . . . restlessness
acerbic . . . insomnia
“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.
fanatic . . . captious
disciple . . . fetid
adversary . . . avid
antagonist . . . impassioned
acolyte . . . ardent
acolyte . . . ardent
“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.
transcendent . . . sinecure
harrowing . . . transmission
consummate . . . vicissitude
sublime . . . acoustics
deplorable . . . magnitude
sublime . . . acoustics
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.
All GRE Verbal Resources
