GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #601 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
After years of working at the same job, the excitement had given way to a general sense of __________.
virulence
loathing
aversion
ebulliency
complacency
complacency
The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with the "excitement" present "after years of working at the same job." This means the correct answer needs to mean the opposite of "excitement." "Complacency," meaning a lack of awareness or energy, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #602 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The team's __________ quickly backfired and revealed their strategy was deeply flawed.
gambit
usury
veneration
resolve
undermining
gambit
The sentence notes their "strategy was deeply flawed." This pairs with the missing word having "backfired," indicating the correct answer will be synonymous with "strategy." "Gambit," meaning ploy or maneuver, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #603 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
catastrophe
conflagration
concatenation
epiphany
frenzy
conflagration
Using the context clues that the factory was somehow "consumed" and that this produced a great deal of smoke, you should guess that the event (or "concatenation") being described involved a fire. Although a fire could possibly be described as a "catastrophe," "conflagration" is more specific to this context, and therefore the best choice.
Example Question #604 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
The traitor was swiftly punished when his __________ was discovered, but his treachery had already done its damage to the war effort.
malice
perfidy
puerility
inefficacy
penury
perfidy
Example Question #605 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
alacrity
consumerism
insularity
poverty
polarity
insularity
The first step to completing this sentence is realizing that the advice offered by the speaker, in the form of a quotation, is meant to dissuade the mentioned advocates. Knowing that, if you understand the quotation to mean something like, "No one is disconnected or entirely self-sufficient," you can guess that the philosophy in question is one advocating self-sufficiency or total independence. "Insularity" is therefore the best word choice, as it means "extreme exclusivity," and "insular" literally means "of or pertaining to an island."
Example Question #606 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Although he looked like a __________, the man was actually quite wealthy.
dilettante
stereotype
paradigm
vagrant
lunatic
vagrant
The sentence contrasts the man's appearance with his being "actually quite wealthy." The correct answer will indicate he looked poor or shabby. "Vagrant," meaning a homeless wanderer, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #607 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His writing was full of __________ that were intended to challenge his readers.
prattle
eulogies
pablum
paradoxes
euphemisms
paradoxes
The missing word is "intended to challenge his readers." The correct answer must indicate something confusing or hard to understand. "Paradoxes," meaning contradictory but true statements, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #608 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The General's __________ for ceremony meant he declined a celebratory parade.
obsession
approbation
enthusiasm
disdain
affection
disdain
"A celebratory parade" is a kind of "ceremony," so the general's refusal means he was opposed to ceremony. The correct answer should mean dislike or hatred, the definition of "disdain."
Example Question #608 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The __________ of the boss' statements meant his employees were unable to take any action.
immutability
clarity
forcefulness
ambiguity
opulence
ambiguity
The "employees were unable to take action," because of the nature of the boss' statements. This means the correct answer will explain why the employess were confused and unable to do anything. "Ambiguity," meaning vagueness or uncertainty, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #297 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
His __________ remained elusive no matter how long he hunted.
prattle
stratagem
quarry
ennui
appetite
quarry
The sentence notes the subject cannot have the missing word, "no matter how long he hunted;" therefore, the correct answer must mean something hunted or a prize, which is the definition of "quarry."
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