GRE Verbal : Nouns in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #361 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
While translating Pablo Neruda’s stirring poem from Spanish to English, Javier struggled to recreate the __________ of the great poet’s original words.
renown
disparity
monotony
listlessness
nuances
nuances
The word that fills in the blank must be faithful to the sentence’s original assertion that Pablo Neruda’s poem is "stirring," and therefore not "monotonous" or "listless." Because translators cannot recreate "renown" or "disparity," Javier struggled to recreate the "nuances," the subtleties, of the original poem in English.
Example Question #362 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Opera singers must endure years of training in order to achieve the correct __________ in Italian, French, German, and Russian.
aberration
rhythm
inflection
juxtaposition
braggadocio
inflection
Given that opera singers must perform in several different languages, inflection is important. In this sentence, “inflection” refers to the rising and falling tones of a word in speech or song.
Example Question #427 : Text Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The magician was used to using __________ to appear to accomplish supernatural feats, having to stand up to the scrutiny of skeptical audiences.
artifice
plumage
verities
blunderbuss
indiscretion
artifice
The magician only appears to accomplish these feats, so he must be using deception, or "artifice." "Verities" are truths.
Example Question #363 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
There was old wisdom in the __________, but over time it had begun to lose its effect.
archive
excerpt
ingenue
disparity
platitude
platitude
A saying that is repeated until losing its effect is likely to be a "platitude." An "ingenue" is a naïve, unsophisticated person.
Example Question #364 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
In her paper, Linda wrote that people in power should try to stay focused on the big picture rather than the __________.
expedient
minutiae
objective
consternation
diminution
minutiae
"Minutiae" means small details, and is the only choice that makes sense in context.
Example Question #365 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The author was both very popular and anonymous; she managed to remain unknown despite her books being widely read by using a _________.
mystique
pseudonym
rubric
appellation
contrivance
pseudonym
A "pseudonym" is a fake name used to conceal an identity, especially by authors. Although "contrivance" could make sense of the passage, "pseudonym" very directly applies.
Example Question #366 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Television networks focus on their shows' __________ of viewers, finding that shows that keep their audience do better in the long run.
retention
depreciation
relapse
degradation
respite
retention
The structure of the sentence indicates that the correct answer will mean something highly similar to keeping an audience. Out of all the answer choices, only "retention," meaning preservation, works in the sentence.
Example Question #367 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The princess' __________ was noted throughout Europe, and she consequently had many eager suitors.
lugubriousness
comeliness
obstreperousness
intemperance
caginess
comeliness
A princess having "many eager suitors" indicates she "was noted throughout Europe" for being quite desirable. The correct answer must indicate a high level of attractiveness. "Comeliness," meaning beauty or prettiness, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #368 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Despite calls for a __________, both sides continued their fighting as before.
fusilade
barrage
duping
moratorium
monolith
moratorium
The sentence says "both sides continued their fighting as before," indicating they ignored the missing word. The correct answer must mean a stop or temporary prohibition, the definition of "moratorium."
Example Question #369 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The dog showed his __________ by sitting when his master asked.
defiance
effrontery
complaisance
audacity
complaisance
"Complaisance" is a willingness to comply to the wishes of others.
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