GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #721 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The committee always ______________ a great deal, never deciding anything quickly.
deliberated
denuded
immoderated
recanted
exemplified
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 #722 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The politician always wanted statistics to ________________ the claims he made in his speeches.
transgress
retract
bulwark
counteract
buttress
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 #723 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
After the scandal, members ______________ the party in large numbers and left it a shell of its former self.
cajoled
evacuated
allayed
prorogued
enhanced
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 #724 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
She often overthought things, _________________ on decisions for months.
illuminating
ruminating
indemnifying
calcifying
postulating
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 #725 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Writing closed captioning for live events is difficult, as _______________ every word is nearly impossible.
transcribing
pontificating
obfuscating
interpreting
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 #726 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The instructor used his last class to ______________ any nerves students had about their driving test.
condone
accost
waylay
efface
allay
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 #727 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His lack of self-confidence tended to ____________ his poor athletic gifts.
efface
exacerbate
petrify
portend
explode
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 #727 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The boy was a natural rebel, seeking to ______________ any rules or boundaries given to him.
perpetuate
congeal
embrace
transgress
condone
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 #728 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The new non-profit will seek to ______________ famine in war torn areas by directly providing food to refugees.
begrudge
edify
exacerbate
alleviate
degrade
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 #729 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The leader immediately ______________ the actions of his supporters, claiming they did not represent the whole group.
condoned
embraced
denounced
confounded
waylaid
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."
All GRE Verbal Resources
