GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #142 : Text Completion
Although hyped before the primaries, the candidate ultimately proved a ______________.
portent
buttress
nonentity
weight
subterfuge
nonentity
The missing word is contrasted with the attention given to the candidate "before the primaries." The correct answer will demonstrate the candidate's inability to live up to the hype. "Nonentity," meaning a nonfactor or unimportant person or thing, is the best fit in the sentence.
Example Question #102 : One Blank Texts
With the recent acquisition, the President of the company felt he had hit a ___________ and was uncertain what to do next.
bulwark
nadir
precinct
pinnacle
guile
pinnacle
The President is reflecting on a success, which makes him "uncertain what to do next." The correct answer will mean some point which is hard to duplicate or suppress. "Pinnacle," meaning highest point or topmost moment, is the best choice.
Example Question #144 : Text Completion
The faculty senate had to submit their new rules to a ___________________ of the school's entire staff for ratification.
jargon
referendum
recapitulation
jurisprudence
recusal
referendum
The senate's "new rules" are put before "the school's entire staff for ratification." This means the staff must give some official blessing on the rules. "Referendum," meaning a public vote, is the correct answer.
Example Question #102 : One Blank Texts
Despite a great deal of research, the question of black holes still presents a ____________ for scientists.
bulwark
conundrum
contusion
sacrosanct
subterfuge
conundrum
We see here that "black holes" are not understood, "despite a great deal of research." This means the correct answer will indicate that black holes are still an issue. "Conundrum," meaning a puzzle or challenge, is the best choice.
Example Question #103 : One Blank Texts
The aging band had their last hit years ago, and was now trading on ________________ to sell tickets.
benignity
ambivalence
notoriety
jargon
nostalgia
nostalgia
The sentence outright states the band's "last hit" was "years ago." The correct answer will indicate it was their past success that is now selling tickets. "Nostalgia," meaning a longing for the past, is the best fit.
Example Question #391 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The boy's defiance of his teacher gained him _______________ among his peers, despite the punishment he received.
munificence
ambivalence
petulance
reticence
notoriety
notoriety
The "defiance" was looked at by his peers in a light described by the missing word. The correct answer will mean fame or respect of some kind. "Notoriety," meaning infamy or widespread acclaim for wrongdoing, is the correct answer.
Example Question #108 : One Blank Texts
Although he started the job enthusiastically, his _________________ waned the longer he worked there.
cynicism
rigor
transgression
zeal
torpor
zeal
The sentence directly connects the missing word with "enthusiastically." The correct answer needs to be a synonym of "enthusiasm." "Zeal," meaning eagerness and desire, is the best fit.
Example Question #148 : Text Completion
The new employee was a terrible ________________, and sought to curry favor with his boss in any way.
cynic
connoisseur
philanthropist
sycophant
hypocrite
sycophant
The phrase "curry favor" provides the best clue to the answer. By trying to appeal to his boss "in any way," the new employee is being a "sycophant," a flatterer and kiss up.
Example Question #392 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The initial plan sought to use a small force as a ________________ that would distract from the real invasion.
decoy
paragon
legion
conundrum
goad
decoy
The use of "a small force" away "from the real invasion" means the correct answer needs to indicate a trick of some kind. "Decoy," meaning a fake used as a trap, is the best choice.
Example Question #82 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
She was an impressive runner, but did not possess the _______________ to compete at longer distances.
endurance
brevity
petulance
remorse
nonchalance
endurance
The key phrase in the sentence is "at longer distances." Since the subject cannot compete in those, the correct answer needs to indicate the ability to run those distances. "Endurance, meaning staying power or stamina, is the best choice.
All GRE Verbal Resources
