GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #791 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

For his own safety, the accused criminal was __________ from the public's wrath in an undisclosed location.

Possible Answers:

broached

reproved

fortified

cloistered

breached

Correct answer:

cloistered

Explanation:

The "accused criminal" is taken to "an undisclosed location" to avoid the "public's wrath." This means the "accused criminal" is being hidden away and isolated, the definition of "cloistered," which is the correct answer.

Example Question #792 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

His inability to succeed at chess __________ him of the idea he excelled at any game.

Possible Answers:

emboldened

engendered

disaffected

lavished

disabused

Correct answer:

disabused

Explanation:

The subject thought he "excelled at any game," but his experience with chess was different. The correct answer needs to indicate that the subject was wrong. "Disabused," meaning to have someone's mind changed, is the best choice.

Example Question #793 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The new laws __________ new issues none of its supporters believed would develop.

Possible Answers:

atoned

engendered

engrafted

disabused

averred

Correct answer:

engendered

Explanation:

The "new laws" had things that developed despite what its supporters thought would happen. This means they caused or brought into being, the definition of "engendered," which is the correct answer.

Example Question #794 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Fad diets are potenially harmful because they often involve __________ certain food groups, vital to a healthy body, and eventually lead to nutritional deficiency.

Possible Answers:

abnegating

ignoring

devouring

consuming

allowing

Correct answer:

abnegating

Explanation:

"Consuming," "devouring," and "allowing" all indicate that dieters are encouraged to eat all the food groups, which is not the case. "Ignoring" could make sense, but "abnegating," meaning denying oneself, conveys the sense of active denial more and is the better choice.

Example Question #795 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

No amount of petting would __________ the crazed horse, which would have trampled everyone in sight if he had not been restrained. 

Possible Answers:

inhibit

mollify

impede

aggravate

provoke

Correct answer:

mollify

Explanation:

"Inhibit" and "impede," which both mean to hold back, do not make sense because the horse is already restrained from trampling everyone. To "aggravate" or "provoke," both meaning to excite, would only upset the horse more. Only "mollify," meaning soothe, is a good choice.

Example Question #796 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

The prisoner's display of remorse was so moving that the judge agreed to __________ her sentence.

Possible Answers:

mitigate

cozen

exacerbate

censure

requite

Correct answer:

mitigate

Explanation:

Since the prisoner had remorse, or regret, for her crimes, it makes logical sense for the judge to reduce the prison sentence—so mitigate, to make less severe, works. Note that exacerbate is an antonym to mitigate.

Example Question #797 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

His newfound popularity __________ a great deal of jeaulousy among his old friends that were not as successful.

Possible Answers:

obviated

engendered

quashed

acquiesced

condoned

Correct answer:

engendered

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly notes that the subject had "friends that were not as successful." This means that the subject's friends became jealous. "Engendered," meaning caused or brought into being, is the correct answer.

Example Question #798 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Her desire for vengeance was __________ when misfortune befell her rival, and she let him be.

Possible Answers:

debilitated

acquiesced

importuned

embellished

slaked

Correct answer:

slaked

Explanation:

Since "she let him be," the subject did not pursue her desire for vengeance any further. This indicates that her rival's misfortune was something that helped her desire go away. "Slaked," meaning quenched or satisfied, is the correct answer.

Example Question #799 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

In an attempt to appear more professional, the young woman __________ a business suit for her interview.

Possible Answers:

intimated

recanted

doffed

donned

rebutted

Correct answer:

donned

Explanation:

The young woman is "attempting to appear more professional" with her "business suit." The use of a piece of clothing is the best clue to the answer. "Donned," meaning put on, usually in regards to an article of clothing, is the correct answer.

Example Question #800 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

 A planetary transit occurs when one planet passes in front of another planet or the sun and temporarily __________ a portion of the farther planet’s disc. 

Possible Answers:

Ratifies

Occludes

Foments

Reifies

Refutes

Correct answer:

Occludes

Explanation:

"Occludes" means blocks from sight. It is the only word that fits.

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