GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #371 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The _________________ of foreign cultures has often been held as a justification for colonialism and imperialism.
sacrality
congeniality
sagacity
alacrity
depravity
depravity
"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 ______________.
paragon
precedent
preamble
opulence
omen
precedent
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.
hypochondriac
sage
recluse
decoy
cynic
sage
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.
tome
larceny
omen
trinket
tirade
trinket
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.
derision
ebullience
poise
ambiguity
rancor
ambiguity
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.
eulogy
recapitulation
recantation
exculpation
exegesis
exegesis
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.
depravity
negativity
debility
irreproachability
longevity
longevity
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 ____________.
ambiguities
rants
polemics
precepts
neologisms
precepts
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.
artifice
serendipity
malefactor
dilemma
upshot
upshot
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.
nonentity
phenomenon
neologism
philistine
polemicist
phenomenon
"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.
All GRE Verbal Resources
