GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #951 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
She was rightly quite ________________ in approaching the bear she encountered on her hike.
brusque
boorish
adventurous
obstreperous
timorous
timorous
The presence of a bear on a hike is a scary experience. The correct answer choice will give that meaning to the sentence. "Adventurous," "boorish," "obstreperous," and "brusque" all indicate a boldness and directness that does not fit the sentence. "Timorous," meaning fearful or even cowardly, is the correct choice.
Example Question #13 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
Although he had lost two fingers in a childhood accident, he was fairly ___________ with woodworking tools.
inadequate
clumsy
oafish
boorish
adroit
adroit
The context around the word indicates the man is quite skilled even with his handicap. Of all the answer choices, the only synonym with skilled is "adroit."
Example Question #952 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The office was unimpressive to vistors, littered with ___________ technology and old furniture.
fashionable
modern
curious
obsolete
contemporary
obsolete
The two best words in the sentence to give a clue to the correct answer are "unimpressive" and "old." The use of these two adjectives with the answer blank means that the correct choice will fit with those words; therefore, "obsolete," meaning something that is out of date or ancient, is the correct answer.
Example Question #953 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Suddenly, the children became _____________, shouting and crying over seemingly nothing.
erratic
poised
reserved
histrionic
recalcitrant
histrionic
The shouting and crying of the children is the best clue to the correct answer. The word which will make the sentence complete needs to have the appropriate sense of shouting and crying. "Histrionic," which means exaggerated or affected emotionalism, is the only answer choice that fits appropriately in the sentence.
Example Question #954 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The couple's ______________ spending habits made them broke in a very short amount of time.
pecunious
parsimonious
lavish
odious
ascetic
lavish
The fact the couple became broke quickly means they were spending money at a rapid pace. The correct answer choice will indicate such an extreme level of spending. "Lavish," meaning wasteful or excessive, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #955 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The man was quite intelligent, but his speech impediment made him seem __________.
exuberant
officious
erratic
obtuse
garrulous
obtuse
The structure of the sentence indicates that the man was not seen as "quite intelligent," even if he really is. The correct answer should be an antonym of "intelligent." "Obtuse," meaning simple or dull, is the right choice.
Example Question #956 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
In order to avoid interactions with people, he used a _____________ manner when he spoke with anyone.
garrulous
deferent
brusque
lighthearted
laudatory
brusque
Since the man is avoiding talking to anyone, it can be inferred that his approach to people was quite short. The correct choice should make it clear the man does not intend to speak much, if at all. "Brusque," meaning blunt or even rude, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #957 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Although still meeting occasionally, the organization had become _____________ regarding activities.
officious
adamant
resilient
resplendent
torpid
torpid
The two phrases of the sentence are placed in such a way that they contrast with each other. The habit of meeting occasionally is put against the group's attitude to activitied, and the correct answer will reflect this. "Torpid," meaning stagnant or inactive, is the best choice.
Example Question #958 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The building's _____________ qualities could not outweigh its structural deficiencies.
aesthetic
histrionic
erratic
rigorous
boorish
aesthetic
The "qualities" the answer describes are something at odds with structural issues, and need to reflect the non-structural elements of a building. "Aesthetic," meaning relating to art and beauty, is the only answer choice that fits.
Example Question #21 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The phone number was ______________, and had not been in use for years.
overwhelming
defunct
portentuous
undersold
inconsistent
defunct
The meaning of the correct answer is essentially evident with "had not been in use." This is the exact definition of "defunct."
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