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 __________.

Possible Answers:

loathing

virulence

ebulliency

complacency

aversion

Correct answer:

complacency

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

usury

gambit

resolve

veneration

undermining

Correct answer:

gambit

Explanation:

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 #291 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

The __________ dimmed the sky with smoke as the old factory was consumed.

 

Possible Answers:

frenzy

conflagration

epiphany

catastrophe

concatenation

Correct answer:

conflagration

Explanation:

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 #292 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

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.

Possible Answers:

inefficacy

penury

puerility

perfidy

malice

Correct answer:

perfidy

Explanation:
The words "traitor" and "treachery" clue you in that his action's were deceitful and somehow betrayed a trusted interest. Although his actions might well have been full of "malice," "perfidy" is more specific to this sentence—it means treachery or betrayal, and therefore completes this sentence better than any other available option.

 

Example Question #293 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

Those who advocate a personal philosophy of __________ may do well to remember the poet John Donne's famous line, "No man is an island entire unto himself."

 

Possible Answers:

insularity

poverty

consumerism

polarity

alacrity

Correct answer:

insularity

Explanation:

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 #294 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Although he looked like a __________, the man was actually quite wealthy.

Possible Answers:

vagrant

paradigm

lunatic

dilettante

stereotype

Correct answer:

vagrant

Explanation:

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 #295 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

His writing was full of __________ that were intended to challenge his readers.

Possible Answers:

paradoxes

eulogies

euphemisms

prattle

pablum

Correct answer:

paradoxes

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

obsession

approbation

enthusiasm

disdain

affection

Correct answer:

disdain

Explanation:

"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 #296 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The __________ of the boss' statements meant his employees were unable to take any action.

Possible Answers:

ambiguity

immutability

opulence

forcefulness

clarity

Correct answer:

ambiguity

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

prattle

stratagem

quarry

ennui

appetite

Correct answer:

quarry

Explanation:

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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