GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #711 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The ship was _______________ in the typical naval manner, with the captain smashing a champagne bottle across its bow.
consecrated
broached
congealed
recanted
eulogized
consecrated
The sentence indicates the action was a "typical naval" ceremony. The appropriate word will indicate both the ceremony and the official, traditional nature of it. "Consecrated," meaning dedicated or inaugurated, is the correct answer.
Example Question #712 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The general attempted to _____________ his opponent's numerical advantage with a better defensive position.
negate
approve
enforce
obviate
advocate
negate
The general is trying to overcome the advantage his opponent brings to the battlefield. The correct answer will be a word that indicates he is trying to change the circumstances. "Negate," meaning to cancel or deny, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #465 : Text Completion
The college students were ______________ by a speeding ticket on their trip to Florida.
condoned
degraded
waylaid
belied
waived
waylaid
The "trip to Florida" indicates the students were headed somewhere, and the correct answer will show they were delayed. "Waylaid," meaning to hinder or derail, is the best choice.
Example Question #713 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
He would often complement his lengthy academic texts with shorter books that _____________ the same arguments.
congealed
discombobulated
recanted
subverted
recapitulated
recapitulated
The sentence indicates that the "shorter books" said the "same arguments" as the larger ones. The correct answer will then mean to restate or summarize, which is the definition of "recapitulated."
Example Question #714 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Her awkward walk ________________ a grace that was present in her ballet dancing.
ascertained
reproved
portended
implied
belied
belied
The dancer's "awkward walk" is contrasted with her grace while dancing through the missing word. The correct word will indicate the surprising nature of her dancing ability. "Belied," meaning contradicted or misrepresented, is the best choice.
Example Question #715 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
After being left out in the snow, the glove had ________________ into a rock hard lump.
defoliated
hydrated
petrified
congealed
elucidated
petrified
The phrase "rock hard lump" is the best clue to the answer. The best choice needs to indicate the glove becoming that "rock hard lump." "Petrified," meaning turned into stone or a stone like substance, is the correct answer.
Example Question #429 : One Blank Texts
He frequently criticized his children, _______________ them for minor flaws.
belittling
befuddling
bemusing
beleaguering
beknighting
belittling
The sentence parallels "criticized" and the correct answer, making them synonyms. Of all the answer choices, "belittling" is the only synonym of "criticized."
Example Question #716 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The guitarist could not help but __________ the collection of fancy instruments.
goad
transgress
disdain
ordain
ogle
ogle
A guitarist will appreciate a "collection of fancy instruments." The correct answer will indicate the guitarists admiration and appreciation of the collection. "Ogle," meaning to stare or obviously look at, is the best choice.
Example Question #717 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The archaeologist was most well known for _________________ a theory on human development with which no other scholars agreed.
exemplifying
suppressing
substantiating
postulating
recapitulating
postulating
Many of the answer choices could fit the sentence, but one choice will fit best. The theory is one "with which no other scholars agreed," which means it is controversial and unproven. "Postulating," meaning hypothesize or propose, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #712 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The young man decided to ______________ his resumé by interning at a prestigious company.
downplay
waylay
burnish
undermine
execrable
burnish
The "prestigious company" gives a clue that the young man wishes to improve the status of his resumé. "Burnish," meaning to polish or bolster, is the correct answer choice.
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