GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #53 : One Blank Texts

Instead of being generous and gracious, his speech became a ___________ against his opponent.

Possible Answers:

retraction

pontification

rant

concession

pose

Correct answer:

rant

Explanation:

The speech is defined as not being "generous and gracious." The correct answer, then, should mean an angry or even nasty speech, which is the definition of "rant."

Example Question #341 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Her ______________ was impressive for such a young girl, and her father liked to show off her wit.

Possible Answers:

obtuseness

irascibility

obsequiousness

deference

perspicacity

Correct answer:

perspicacity

Explanation:

The sentence finishes by talking about the girl's wit, and parallels her wit to the answer blank. The correct choice will mean sharpness or clerverness, which is the definition of "perspicacity."

Example Question #342 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The suspect was accused of plotting to steal millions from his company until his ____________ was discovered.

Possible Answers:

equivocation

negligence

torpor

obeisance

subterfuge

Correct answer:

subterfuge

Explanation:

The suspect is accused of plotting a serious crime. The answer, what was discovered, will indicate the level of deception involved in the crime. "Subterfuge," meaning a trick or deception, is the correct answer.

Example Question #343 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The Duke's notion of ______________ only spread to the upper classes, and he still viewed the lower classes as suspect.

Possible Answers:

obeisance

elitism

superiority

affability

egalitarianism

Correct answer:

egalitarianism

Explanation:

The Duke continues to look down on "lower classes," which is contrasted with the correct answer. The best choice will then mean a belief in equality, which is the definition of "egalitarianism."

Example Question #344 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

He had been conducting wine tasting so long, he considered himself a _____________.

Possible Answers:

neophyte

paragon

connoisseur

mutineer

hypochondria

Correct answer:

connoisseur

Explanation:

The phrase "conducting wine tastings so long," indicates he considered himself some kind of expert, and the correct answer should reflect that. "Connoisseur," meaning someone with refined taste and judgement, is the best fit in the sentence.

Example Question #345 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Smaragdus of St. Mihiel studied the Rule of St. Benedict like an early medieval grammarian. Many of his interpretations were based on the                     of the expressions used, although his sources of linguistic derivations were more than slightly incorrect.

Possible Answers:

meanings

declensions

etymologies

structures

histories

Correct answer:

etymologies

Explanation:

The best clue words in this example are "grammarian" and "linguistic history." The latter makes "histories" unlikely, if only because of the repetition that this would impose. It is perhaps tempting to use "meanings," as a grammarian would pay heed to meanings in explication—just as he would pay heed to the declensions and inflections of words;  however, if we are considering linguistic history (even if flawed), we are above all concerned with etymology, which studies (or at least purports to study) the history of words and the meanings that can be gleaned from such history.

Example Question #346 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

It sometimes takes the most skill in grammar to commit a true                 .  Many people err in such matters, but only an expert can utterly distort the rules of language.

Possible Answers:

error

faux pas

mistake

harangue

solecism

Correct answer:

solecism

Explanation:

The key word is in the second sentence is "err." It might be tempting for that reason to consider "error" or "mistake," but we are provided a specific type of error, namely a grammatical one: "solecism" matches the intended meaning most closely.

Example Question #347 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Robert was a trained swordsman, able to fight with great                 . To watch him at battle was as beautiful as watching a trained ballet dancer in motion.

Possible Answers:

strength

ability

celerity

gusto

finesse

Correct answer:

finesse

Explanation:

The first sentence leaves our meaning so general that any of the terms might fit (though the case for "gusto" is particularly weak). The second sentence gives us a much better limiting factor, namely, the beauty of his form as a swordsman. In this case, we are more concerned with form than brute strength or anything similar; therefore, while perhaps "celerity" or "ability" might distantly apply, "finesse" captures the ballet-like beauty most directly.

Example Question #348 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The man was paranoid about fires, and always noticed the closest _____________ he could find anywhere he was.

Possible Answers:

portent

egress

paragon

receptacle

gratis

Correct answer:

egress

Explanation:

The man's paranoia about fires means he would find a way to deal with a fire everywhere.  The correct answer will describe a method to handle a fire. "Egress," meaning an exit, is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #349 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The media quickly developed a _____________ on the case, and all news outlets began reporting the same story.

Possible Answers:

bulwark

splintering

substantiation

recantation

consensus

Correct answer:

consensus

Explanation:

The sentence outright states the media outlets were "reporting the same story."  The correct answer will indicate the media was telling the same story.  "Consensus," meaning a general or widespread agreement, is the best fit.

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