GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #408 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The committee always ______________ a great deal, never deciding anything quickly.
denuded
exemplified
deliberated
recanted
immoderated
deliberated
"Never deciding anything quickly" is the key phrase in the sentence. The correct answer will indicate the slowness of the committee. "Deliberated," meaning to think over carefully and slowly, is the best choice.
Example Question #409 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The politician always wanted statistics to ________________ the claims he made in his speeches.
transgress
buttress
retract
bulwark
counteract
buttress
The politician is concerned about the claims in his speech, and would want to support them with statistics. The correct answer will mean to strengthen or back up, which is the definition of "buttress."
Example Question #31 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
After the scandal, members ______________ the party in large numbers and left it a shell of its former self.
prorogued
enhanced
evacuated
cajoled
allayed
evacuated
The phrase "a shell of its former self" indicates the party shrunk in size. The correct answer will indicate the movement of the members out of the party. "Evacuate," meaning to vacate or empty, is the best choice.
Example Question #721 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
She often overthought things, _________________ on decisions for months.
indemnifying
postulating
ruminating
calcifying
illuminating
ruminating
A few of the choices could fit the sentence, so the best fit must be found. The sentence says she "overthought . . . for months," and the best answer will reflect that deep thought. "Ruminating," meaning to ponder or reflect, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #722 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Writing closed captioning for live events is difficult, as _______________ every word is nearly impossible.
obfuscating
transcribing
interpreting
pontificating
excoriating
transcribing
THe phrase "writing closed captioning" is the best clue to the answer. The best choice will indicate writing in some manner. "Transcribing," meaning to copy or take down, is the correct answer.
Example Question #723 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The instructor used his last class to ______________ any nerves students had about their driving test.
allay
efface
waylay
accost
condone
allay
The instructor wants the students to do well on their test. With this in mind, the correct answer will indicate some sense of help with their nerves. "Allay," meaning to lessen, is the best choice.
Example Question #439 : One Blank Texts
His lack of self-confidence tended to ____________ his poor athletic gifts.
efface
exacerbate
petrify
explode
portend
exacerbate
The "poor athletic gifts" would be harmed by a "lack of self-confidence." The correct answer will indicate the poor effect. "Exacerbate," meaning to make worse, is the best choice.
Example Question #724 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The boy was a natural rebel, seeking to ______________ any rules or boundaries given to him.
perpetuate
congeal
condone
transgress
embrace
transgress
The boy being a "natural rebel" provides the best clue to the answer. A rebel violates rules, and the correct answer will show that. "Transgress," meaning to violate or disobey, is the best answer.
Example Question #725 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The new non-profit will seek to ______________ famine in war torn areas by directly providing food to refugees.
exacerbate
alleviate
begrudge
degrade
edify
alleviate
"Providing food" means the non-profit will try to eliminate the famine, or at least minimize it, and the correct answer will reflect that. "Alleviate," meaning to make less severe or improve slightly, is the best choice.
Example Question #726 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The leader immediately ______________ the actions of his supporters, claiming they did not represent the whole group.
denounced
embraced
confounded
waylaid
condoned
denounced
The final phrase, where the leader distances himself from his supporters' actions, is the best clue in the sentence. The correct answer will mean to condemn or speak against, the definition of "denounced."
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