GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #583 : Text Completion

Although he claimed to be unfairly _________, the evidence of his misbehavior was slowly stacking up.

Possible Answers:

accompanied

exhumed

impugned

honored

privileged

Correct answer:

impugned

Explanation:

The sentence describes the subject's belief he was "unfairly" having the missing word done to him.  This is despite the fact the "evidence of his misbehavior" is expanding, which means the correct answer should indicate criticism. "Impugned," meaning to challenge or question someone's honor, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #584 : Text Completion

Being wrong was a possibility the cocksure know it all could never __________.

Possible Answers:

eliminate

brook

refuse

combat

dismiss

Correct answer:

brook

Explanation:

The sentence describes the subject as a "cocksure know it all."  This means that he would never be able to understand how he could be wrong, and the correct answer will reflect this. "Brook," meaning to consider or approach, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #585 : Text Completion

To make the gift fancier, the books were _________ with custom trim on their covers.

Possible Answers:

embossed

eroded

sabotaged

defaced

undermined

Correct answer:

embossed

Explanation:

The missing word describes something done to "make the gift fancier." The correct answer, therefore, must indicate a special task to personalize or improve the books. "Embossed," meaning to decorate with a special stamp, is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #586 : Text Completion

The general's attack did not seek to destroy his opponent, but simply to __________ the opposing forward line.

Possible Answers:

propagate

enervate

masticate

fusillade

eviscerate

Correct answer:

enervate

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly notes that the attack would not  "destroy his opponent," and the missing word has to mean harming, but less than "destroy." The correct answer needs to mean weaken or fatigue, the definition of "enervate."

Example Question #587 : Text Completion

The team's poor play in the season opener __________ a difficult year for their fans.

Possible Answers:

equivocated

enervated

imitated

presaged

resuscitated

Correct answer:

presaged

Explanation:

The sentence notes the team's fans had "a difficult year" after their "poor play in the season opener." This means the correct answer will therefore indicate a connection between the team's play in their opener and the rest of the year. "Presaged," meaning forewarned or foreshadowed, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #588 : Text Completion

The only way to solve the decades old murder was to __________ the victim for analysis.

Possible Answers:

flout

venerate

entomb

disregard

disinter

Correct answer:

disinter

Explanation:

The sentence notes that the victim of a "decades old murder" had to be "analyzed." The correct answer will indicate that a dead body had to looked at and examined. "Disinter," meaning to dig up or remove from a grave, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #589 : Text Completion

The plan was simply to __________ the procession, but it ended up completely cancelling it.

Possible Answers:

eviscerate

deride

impede

hallow

orate

Correct answer:

impede

Explanation:

The plan actually "ended up completely cancelling" the procession, although it was only supposed to do the missing word. This means that the correct answer will show it was not supposed to go that far. "Impede," meaning to hinder or get in the way, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #590 : Text Completion

The recipe carefully instructed that the ingredients should not __________ until specifically instructed to blend them.

Possible Answers:

separate

commingle

eschew

cant

emboss

Correct answer:

commingle

Explanation:

The recipe directs ingredients should only mix when "specifically instructed." This indicates the correct answer will mean blending or coming together, the definition of "commingling."

Example Question #831 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

With the monument, the veterans' group hoped to __________ the battlefield in the memory of the wounded and fallen.

Possible Answers:

disinter

desecrate

hallow

obviate

impede

Correct answer:

hallow

Explanation:

The sentence describes a "veterans' group" placing a memorial for "the wounded and fallen." The correct answer needs to indicate that the group is making the memorial a special place. "Hallow," meaning to worship or revere, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #552 : One Blank Texts

A good appetizer will __________ a diner's appetite without ruining the meal.

Possible Answers:

pique

confound

obscure

resolve

obliterate

Correct answer:

pique

Explanation:

The sentence describes a "good appetizer" as not "ruining the meal." This means an appetizer will enhance or help an appetite. "Pique," meaning to stimulate interest, is the best choice among the answers.

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