GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

Example Question #138 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

Jenny thought that adding more salt to the reciple would enhance it, but the cake was __________.

Possible Answers:

complimented

adulterated

purified

appreciated

Correct answer:

adulterated

Explanation:

To "adulterate" means to taint or debase.

Example Question #139 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

The Spanish tried to __________ their influence through the use of their extensive armada.

Possible Answers:

aggrandize

adulterate

dwindle

dilute

Correct answer:

aggrandize

Explanation:

"Aggrandize" means to strengthen or exalt.

Example Question #573 : Text Completion

The runner took some aspirin the an attempt to __________ the intense pain in her leg.

Possible Answers:

burgeon

augment

escalate

abate

Correct answer:

abate

Explanation:

To "abate" means to lessen in degree or intensity.

Example Question #821 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

His blustery speech was somewhat __________ by his many mistatements and factual errors.

Possible Answers:

bolstered

ameliorated

upheld

mitigated

attenuated

Correct answer:

attenuated

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts the subject's "blustery speech" with the "many mistatements and factual errors." This means the correct answer must show the difference between the speech and the errors. "Attenuated," meaning weakened or diminished, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #822 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Facing an unarmed and poorly trained crew, the pirates quickly __________ the container ship.

Possible Answers:

quarried

garbled

commandeered

augmented

battled

Correct answer:

commandeered

Explanation:

The sentence describes pirates approaching an "unarmed and poorly trained crew" of a ship, with the missing word being the verb in the sentence. The correct answer will indicate the pirates' fighting or taking the ship. "Commandeer," meaning to grab possesion and forcibly take, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #576 : Text Completion

One reporter tried to __________ the local principal by spreading rumors of infidelity, but the school's parents knew better than to believe the rumors.

Possible Answers:

enliven

flatter

denigrate

invigorate

Correct answer:

denigrate

Explanation:

To "denigrate" means to defame or belittle.

Example Question #515 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The political club was forced to __________ its newest member, after she publically spoke against their views.

Possible Answers:

contend

sanction

repudiate

approbate

Correct answer:

repudiate

Explanation:

To "repudiate" means to disown or abandon, which is what a club would be forced to do with a contrary member.

Example Question #516 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Once DNA testing proved his innocence, the inmate on death row was __________.

Possible Answers:

castigated

exculpated

condemned

denounced

Correct answer:

exculpated

Explanation:

To "exculpate" means to exonerate or to clear of blame

Example Question #581 : Text Completion

He was __________ a deal, but found the terms unsuited to his liking and refused it.

Possible Answers:

scorned

tendered

abhorred

rejected

impugned

Correct answer:

tendered

Explanation:

The fact the subject "rejected" the deal indicates that he had a choice regarding it. The correct answer needs to be a neutral word, which can rule out all but one choice. "Tendered," meaning offered or given in a negotiation, is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #582 : Text Completion

After hours of consideration, the man still __________ about his final decision.

Possible Answers:

brooked

rejected

waffled

ignored

warped

Correct answer:

waffled

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts the man doing the missing word "about his final decision," and the fact he had given it "hours of consideration." The correct answer will indicate he has not made up his mind. "Waffled," meaning to equivocate or go back and forth, is the best choice among the answers.

Tired of practice problems?

Try live online GRE prep today.

1-on-1 Tutoring
Live Online Class
1-on-1 + Class
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors