GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #113 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Although the teens claimed they had nothing to drink, their __________ was obvious.
disdain
poise
sobriety
inebriation
fraud
inebriation
The teens are the missing word, which goes against the claim "they had nothing to drink." The correct answer must indicate they were actually drinking. "Inebriation," meaning intoxication and drunkenness, is the best fit.
Example Question #184 : Text Completion
The teaching method was criticized for wanting __________ among students, not allowing the most talented to shine.
whimsy
disinterest
obsequiousness
tractability
parity
parity
"Not allowing the most talented to shine" is the key phrase in the sentence. The phrase indicates that the "teaching method" is trying to keep students even. "Parity," meaning equality or balance, is the best fit.
Example Question #431 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
After the first day of the road trip, he decided to become the __________ of the group's travels in his journal.
paragon
chronicler
rancor
usurper
underminer
chronicler
The subject is putting down the "group's travels in his journal." This means he is recording the actions and circumstances of the group's trip, the description of the work of a "chronicler."
Example Question #432 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Suggested to be played at a brisk pace, the band instead played the song like a __________.
celebration
stanza
dirge
vignette
smorgasbord
dirge
The way the band played the song is at odds with the suggested "brisk pace." The correct answer will mean a slow or not as fast song. "Dirge," meaning a sad and mournful song, is the best choice.
Example Question #433 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His essay on puddles contained surprising __________ for dealing with such a light subject.
brevity
profundity
levity
vacuousness
debility
profundity
The essay is on a "light subject," but has a "surprising" amount of the missing word. The correct answer must be an antonym of "light." "Profundity," meaning depth and insight, is the best choice.
Example Question #434 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Some psychologists believe teens' __________ is a put on, and that they care more deeply than they admit.
irascibility
apathy
fervor
altruism
masochism
apathy
The sentence explicitly contrasts that teens "care more deeply" with their "put on" of the missing word. The correct answer will mean the opposite of caring deeply. "Apathy," meaning disinterest or lack of emotion, is the best choice.
Example Question #435 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The __________ of a parent will spur a child to action, as a forbidden act is always more tempting to try.
solace
condoning
disapprobation
nonchalance
torpor
disapprobation
The sentence discusses a "forbidden act," in a parallel way to the missing word. The correct answer must therefore match this sense of being fordbidden. "Disapprobation," meaning disapproval or condemnation, is the best choice.
Example Question #436 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The __________ of their supporters was unmatched, and their chants drowned out everything else.
nonchalance
apathy
fervor
disinterest
ambivalence
fervor
Having chants that have "drowned out everything else" indicates the supporters were quite loud. The correct answer will tell why they were so vocal. "Fervor," meaning passion or enthusiasm, is the best fit.
Example Question #437 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
He viewed himself as a stern leader, but his troops thought he actually became a ridiculous __________.
parody
inebriate
martinet
protégé
mercenary
martinet
The troops disagree with the subject's view of himself only in degree. If he sees himself as stern, his troops think he seriousness goes too far. "Martinet," meaning a person too attached to rules and discipline, is the correct answer.
Example Question #191 : Text Completion
The film's jokes were so on target that many viewers were unaware it was a __________.
vignette
paragon
circumvention
parody
decoy
parody
The sentence says two things about the film: it had a number of jokes and it was the missing word. The correct answer must therefore be something to do with jokes or comedy. "Parody," meaning a spoof or mocking imitation, is the best choice.
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