GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #721 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The committee always ______________ a great deal, never deciding anything quickly.

Possible Answers:

recanted

denuded

immoderated

deliberated

exemplified

Correct answer:

deliberated

Explanation:

"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 #722 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The politician always wanted statistics to ________________ the claims he made in his speeches.

Possible Answers:

buttress

bulwark

retract

transgress

counteract

Correct answer:

buttress

Explanation:

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 #723 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

After the scandal, members ______________ the party in large numbers and left it a shell of its former self.

Possible Answers:

allayed

cajoled

prorogued

evacuated

enhanced

Correct answer:

evacuated

Explanation:

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 #724 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

She often overthought things, _________________ on decisions for months.

Possible Answers:

calcifying

illuminating

postulating

indemnifying

ruminating

Correct answer:

ruminating

Explanation:

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 #725 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Writing closed captioning for live events is difficult, as _______________ every word is nearly impossible.

Possible Answers:

interpreting

obfuscating

transcribing

excoriating

pontificating

Correct answer:

transcribing

Explanation:

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 #726 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The instructor used his last class to ______________ any nerves students had about their driving test.

Possible Answers:

condone

waylay

allay

accost

efface

Correct answer:

allay

Explanation:

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 #415 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

His lack of self-confidence tended to ____________ his poor athletic gifts.

Possible Answers:

efface

explode

petrify

exacerbate

portend

Correct answer:

exacerbate

Explanation:

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 #727 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The boy was a natural rebel, seeking to ______________ any rules or boundaries given to him.

Possible Answers:

condone

congeal

transgress

embrace

perpetuate

Correct answer:

transgress

Explanation:

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 #728 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The new non-profit will seek to ______________ famine in war torn areas by directly providing food to refugees.

Possible Answers:

alleviate

exacerbate

degrade

edify

begrudge

Correct answer:

alleviate

Explanation:

"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 #729 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The leader immediately ______________ the actions of his supporters, claiming they did not represent the whole group.

Possible Answers:

embraced

denounced

condoned

confounded

waylaid

Correct answer:

denounced

Explanation:

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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