GRE Verbal : Nouns in One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #241 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

In order to perfect his craft, the minister heavily studied __________.

Possible Answers:

homiletics

atheism

iconoclasm

gerontology

partiality

Correct answer:

homiletics

Explanation:

The subject of the sentence is a "minister" who is trying "to perfect his craft."  This means he would be studying something related to the profession of being a minister. "Homiletics," meaning the study of preaching and giving sermons, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #242 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The man's great athleticism was surprising considering his run was more like a __________.

Possible Answers:

sprint

wobble

amble

sloth

lope

Correct answer:

lope

Explanation:

The contrast of the missing word and the subject's "great athleticism" provides the best clue to the answer. The correct answer will indicate the subject moved with a non-athletic looking movement.  "Lope," meaning a smooth and almost lazy gait, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #243 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The grandfather's old __________ made the kids roll their eyes, but usually held a grain of truth.

Possible Answers:

saws

liturgies

errors

nexuses

inconsistencies

Correct answer:

saws

Explanation:

The fact "the kids roll their eyes" at the missing word, which still held some "grain of truth," indicates the grandfather is saying something familiar or hackneyed. "Saws," meaning old and worn out sayings, is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #244 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The elaborate ritual the group eventually undertook became a veritable __________ for their meetings.

Possible Answers:

inconsequence

liturgy

errata

licentiousness

epithet

Correct answer:

liturgy

Explanation:

The sentence describes the group's "elaborate ritual" for their meetings, which is then further described by the missing word.  This means the correct answer will have a sense of ritual or tradition. "Liturgy," meaning a guide for a church service, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #245 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The __________ of the two shipping routes became a major commercial center thanks to its many connections.

Possible Answers:

dormancy

divergence

nexus

confusion

prohibition

Correct answer:

nexus

Explanation:

The best clue to the sentence is the fact that the missing word has "many connections." The correct answer will indicate a meeting point or junction, which is the definition of "nexus.

Example Question #246 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

Once a lively and gracious person, in his old age he became a terrible __________.

Possible Answers:

exemplar

icon

curmudgeon

paragon

mentor

Correct answer:

curmudgeon

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts the missing word with the subject's past as a "lively and gracious person." This means the correct answer will describe a person who is not "lively and gracious." "Curmudgeon," meaning a grumpy and irritable old person, is the best choice among the answer.

Example Question #247 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The __________ of the strategy was routinely questioned by people who did not understand the plot's details.

Possible Answers:

ineffectuality

exclusion

imperfection

efficacy

incomprehensibility

Correct answer:

efficacy

Explanation:

The sentence notes that certain people "did not understand the plot's details," and they are the ones questioning the plan for the missing word.  This means the correct answer needs to show the plan's effectiveness or workability, the definition of "efficacy."

Example Question #248 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

His desire to jump into a field in which he had little experience made his new colleagues view him as a __________.

Possible Answers:

debutante

facade

receptacle

dilletante

monolith

Correct answer:

dilletante

Explanation:

The sentence notes the subject has "little experience" in the field, and that this causes the perception described by the missing word. The correct answer needs to demonstrate this inexperience and messing with the established colleagues. "Dilletante," meaning someone who dabbles or an amateur, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #249 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

Despite being a complete __________, he outplayed many experienced members of the team.

Possible Answers:

neophyte

dissident

ringer

platitude

analogue

Correct answer:

neophyte

Explanation:

The sentence notes that the subject "outplayed many experienced members." This indicates the missing word means not experienced. "Neophyte," meaning a beginner or a new convert, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #250 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The speech was promised to be somber, but quickly moved into a joyous __________.

Possible Answers:

panegyric

aberration

eulogy

liturgy

commingling

Correct answer:

panegyric

Explanation:

The sentence specifically notes the missing word is "joyous." The sentence also contrasts the missing word with its intended "somber" tone. "Panegyric," meaning a praising and laudatory speech, is the best choice anong the answers.

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