GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #971 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The crowd became _____________ when it was announced the headline band would not appear.
gracious
subservient
mundane
acquiescent
raucous
raucous
The crowd would be upset when the cancellation was announced, and would show it. The correct answer will indicate both the crowd's displeasure and how they are showing it. "Raucous," meaning upset and noisy, is the best choice.
Example Question #972 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The scout tried to remain professional, but he could not help being _____________ about the prospect's once in a generation abilities.
underwhelming
effusive
rancourous
irascible
subtle
effusive
The prospect's "once in a generation abilities" indicate the scout would be quite excited, and the fact he could not "remain professional" means he was demonstrating that excitement. "Effusive," meaning gushing and demonstrative, is the correct answer.
Example Question #973 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Despite widespread public support and politicians' desire to speed up the bill's passage, the legislation's progress was ___________.
mundane
pertinent
portentuous
voluble
glacial
glacial
The sentence contrasts the "politicians' desire to speed up" with the correct answer choice. therefore, the correct word will mean extremely slow, which is the definition of glacial.
Example Question #974 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His hatred of horses was _______________, and had a basis in nothing.
munificent
deferential
responsible
succinct
irrational
irrational
The key to finding this answer is the phrase "a basis in nothing." The correct answer will demonstrate the subject's lack of reasons for his hatred. "Irrational," meaning unreasonable or without logic, is the best choice.
Example Question #975 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Although a convenient passageway for ships at high tide, the river was barely ___________ at low tide.
personable
navigable
voluble
combustible
affable
navigable
The sentence contrasts the river at high tide and low tide, and says the river was "a convenient passageway . . . at high tide." The correct answer, modified by "barely," will mean passable or suitable to get through, the definition of "navigable."
Example Question #976 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His constantly surly demeanor made many wonder if it was a ______________ condition.
congenital
succinct
transient
temporary
gratuitous
congenital
The word "constantly" is the best clue in the sentence to find the answer. The correct word will indicate the ever present nature of his "surly demeanor." "Congenital," meaning present since birth, is the correct answer.
Example Question #977 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The evangelist decided to avoid the scandals of his predecessors, making sure to live life ___________.
negligently
egregiously
irreproachably
officiously
lasciviously
irreproachably
The evangelist is actively trying to avoid scandals, so he needs to live his life in a way that does that. The correct answer will indicate he is trying to live perfectly or without criticism, which is the definition of "irreproachably."
Example Question #978 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The prosecutor was accused of covering up ______________ evidence that would exonerate the defendants he tried.
pertinent
trivial
defunct
irksome
irrational
pertinent
The fact the prosecutor is charged with a cover up and that the evidence would exonerate defendants indicates the seriousness of the evidence. The correct answer will demonstrate that seriousness. "Pertinent," meaning relevant, is the best fit in the sentence.
Example Question #979 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
After being a victim of identity theft, the woman was ________________ of giving out her credit card information.
subversive
effusive
irksome
negigent
wary
wary
The "identity theft" changed the woman's attacks outlook on using her credit card, and the correct answer will reflect her reaction to the identity theft. "Wary," meaning hesitant or cautious, is the best fit among the answer choices.
Example Question #980 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The foul was so _________________, she was thrown out of the game.
effusive
affable
egregious
inconsequential
reclusive
egregious
Being thrown out of a game is a very serious penalty, and the correct answer will indicate the seriousness of the foul to warrant such a punishment. "Egregious," meaning extremely or obviously bad, is the correct answer.
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