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.
alacrity
congeniality
sagacity
depravity
sacrality
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 ______________.
omen
opulence
precedent
paragon
preamble
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 #373 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
With his years of experience, he was regarded as the ______________ of the office, and always gave advice to younger coworkers.
decoy
sage
hypochondriac
recluse
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 #374 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
He was a natural collector, and had to get some ______________ everywhere he went.
omen
trinket
tirade
tome
larceny
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 #375 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The conflicting advice from his supervisors gave him a lot of _______________ about his job.
ambiguity
poise
derision
rancor
ebullience
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 #376 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The online journal saw its best work as its _______________ of political speeches that detailed the candidate's policies.
exculpation
recapitulation
eulogy
recantation
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 #377 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The residents of the village were noted for their _______________, and they outlived the average life expectancy for the nation.
longevity
negativity
irreproachability
depravity
debility
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 #378 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
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.
malefactor
serendipity
dilemma
artifice
upshot
upshot
The negotiations have ended, so this was the outcome or result. "Upshot" is the only answer that means this.
Example Question #379 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The actor was a _________________, with people waiting hours just to see him leave the theater.
phenomenon
polemicist
neologism
philistine
nonentity
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.
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