GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #83 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The boy quickly became a ____________ for the cause, refusing to associate with any ideological opponents.
pragmatist
sycophant
moderate
portent
zealot
zealot
"Refusing to associate" with opponents indicates the boy was fiercely devoted to his cause, and the correct answer will indicate such a devoted person. "Zealot," meaning a fanatic or extreme partisan, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #401 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The commander was lauded as the ________________ of a naval officer that all subordinates should look to emulate.
archetype
pedant
philistine
alibi
placebo
archetype
The commander is who "subordinates should look to emulate," indicating he is a model for others. "Archetype," meaning a classic example or perfect form of something, is the correct answer.
Example Question #91 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
She often played the _________________ socially, but she was actually quite smart and well traveled.
ingenue
protagonist
poseur
archetype
phenom
ingenue
The missing word is contrasted with the subject being "actually quite smart and well traveled." The correct answer needs to mean someone who is not "smart and well-traveled." "Ingenue," meaning a naïve and unsophisticated young person, is the best answer.
Example Question #155 : Text Completion
The _______________ of available jobs made him broaden his employment criteria.
ebullience
abundance
philanthropy
levity
paucity
paucity
If the subject is having to "broaden his employment criteria," that means the "available jobs" are not very common. The correct answer must mean a lack or shortage, the definition of "paucity."
Example Question #402 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His noted ________________ caused the city fire department numerous headaches.
subterfuge
pyromania
embezzlement
schizophrenia
kleptomania
pyromania
The missing word is stated to have caused "headaches" for the fire department. The act described by the correct answer must deal with fires. "Pyromania," a compulsion to start fires, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #403 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
He knew so much about art history, his mind was its own __________________ of important facts about twentieth-century art.
archives
receptacle
veneer
effigy
artifice
archives
While some of the answer choices could fit, the best choice needs to be found. The subject knows a great deal, and his mind is holding onto a great amount of facts. "Archives," meaning a collection of records or a place to store documents, is the best choice.
Example Question #404 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
He was a horrible little ______________ that never appreciated anything his parents did for him.
ascetic
introvert
protégé
hypochondriac
ingrate
ingrate
The subject is said to have "never appreciated" his parents' actions, so the correct answer must show this lack of gratitude. "Ingrate,"meaning an ungrateful person, is the best choice.
Example Question #405 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
After chasing the biggest payday, athletes are often seen as _____________ with no sense of loyalty.
mercenaries
sycophants
paragons
vignettes
philistines
mercenaries
The key phrase in the sentence is "chasing the biggest payday." The athletes are being portrayed as only chasing money. "Mercenaries," meaning a hired person whose only concern is getting paid, is the correct answer.
Example Question #406 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Although he never suffered a major scandal, a series of _______________ wrecked his political career.
peccadilloes
iconoclasms
precincts
penances
rebuttal
peccadilloes
The sentence contrasts a hypothetical "major scandal" with the missing word. The correct answer will mean small problems or minor offenses, the definition of "peccadilloes."
Example Question #407 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
As the elder statesman's ___________________, her approach naturally mirrored his.
sycophant
protégé
sybarite
pedant
talisman
protégé
The subject's approach "naturally mirrored" the "elder statesman's." The correct answer will reflect the degree of closeness indicated by the use of "naturally." "Protégé," meaning a person taught or mentored by another, is the best choice.
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