GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #371 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The _________________ of foreign cultures has often been held as a justification for colonialism and imperialism.

Possible Answers:

sacrality

congeniality

sagacity

alacrity

depravity

Correct answer:

depravity

Explanation:

"Colonialism and imperialism" are methods of dominating other cultures and would be justified by looking down on other cultures. The correct answer will then insult or demean "foreign cultures."  "Depravity," meaning moral corruption, is the best choice.

Example Question #372 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

She felt better as her second year on the job approached, because she decided to use her first year as a ______________.

Possible Answers:

paragon

precedent

preamble

opulence

omen

Correct answer:

precedent

Explanation:

The sentence indicates the subject will be able to better do her job thanks to her first year and the guidance it will provide her. "Precedent," meaning an event used as a model, is the best choice.

Example Question #61 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

With his years of experience, he was regarded as the ______________ of the office, and always gave advice to younger coworkers.

Possible Answers:

hypochondriac

sage

recluse

decoy

cynic

Correct answer:

sage

Explanation:

The sentence notes both the subject's "years of experience" and his habit of giving advice.  The correct answer should be a word describing his position. "Sage," meaning a very wise person, is the best choice.

Example Question #62 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

He was a natural collector, and had to get some ______________ everywhere he went.

Possible Answers:

tome

larceny

omen

trinket

tirade

Correct answer:

trinket

Explanation:

If the subject is a "natural collector," then he would need to get something to collect. The correct answer will be a word indicating some small item. "Trinket," meaning a knick-knack or something of little value, is the best answer choice.

Example Question #63 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The conflicting advice from his supervisors gave him a lot of _______________ about his job.

Possible Answers:

derision

ebullience

poise

ambiguity

rancor

Correct answer:

ambiguity

Explanation:

The "conflicting advice" provides the key to the sentence, as this causes the feeling described by the missing word. The correct answer wll mean uncertainty or confusion, the definition of "ambiguity."

Example Question #64 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The online journal saw its best work as its _______________ of political speeches that detailed the candidate's policies.

Possible Answers:

eulogy

recapitulation

recantation

exculpation

exegesis

Correct answer:

exegesis

Explanation:

The journal's work is "detailed" and comments on speeches. The correct answer will therefore indicate analysis or explanation. "Exegesis," meaning a lengthy explanation and interpretation, is the best fit among the answers.

Example Question #65 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The residents of the village were noted for their _______________, and they outlived the average life expectancy for the nation.

Possible Answers:

depravity

negativity

debility

irreproachability

longevity

Correct answer:

longevity

Explanation:

The sentence outright discusses "life expectancy" and notes that the residents outperform the rest of the country. The correct answer is "longevity," which means a long life or long lasting.

Example Question #81 : One Blank Texts

The elderly man attributed his long life to living by three simple ____________.

Possible Answers:

ambiguities

rants

polemics

precepts

neologisms

Correct answer:

precepts

Explanation:

The man lived by the missing answer in order to live a long life. The correct answer will mean guiding principles or general instructions, which is the definition of "precepts."

Example Question #62 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The                   of all the negotiation between team owners and players was that player salaries would go down the next year, but the season would be played.

Possible Answers:

artifice

serendipity

malefactor

dilemma

upshot

Correct answer:

upshot

Explanation:

The negotiations have ended, so this was the outcome or result. "Upshot" is the only answer that means this.

Example Question #63 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The actor was a _________________, with people waiting hours just to see him leave the theater.

Possible Answers:

nonentity

phenomenon

neologism

philistine

polemicist

Correct answer:

phenomenon

Explanation:

"People waiting hours" for a brief glimpse of the actor means he was extremely popular and exciting. The correct answer needs to indicate the sensationalism surrounding the actor. "Phenomenon," meaning a big event or occasion, is the best choice.

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