GRE Verbal : Nouns in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #71 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
His lack of curiosity about art marked him as a _______________ among his friends.
zealot
philistine
sage
superlative
talisman
philistine
The sentence notes the subject's "lack of curiosity" as the reason his friends view him the way they do. The correct answer needs to demonstrate a lack of knowledge. "Philistine," meaning an uncultured and unsophisticated person, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #72 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Years later, the man still expressed ________________ for the harm he caused as a boy.
indifference
congeniality
contrition
belligerence
ambivalence
contrition
"The harm he caused" indicates a troubling past that the man is reflecting on. The correct answer will express how he feels now. "Contrition," meaning sorrow and repentance, is the best answer.
Example Question #73 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The girl had enough __________________ to talk her way out of gym class.
degradation
rancor
guile
irascibility
piety
guile
Getting "out of gym class" was possible because the girl had the quality described by the missing word. The correct answer needs to appropriately reflect her abilities. "Guile," meaning cunning or craftiness, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #74 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The patriotic speech often slipped too far into ________________.
eulogy
platitudes
euphemism
jingoism
polemic
jingoism
While many of the answer could fit the sentence, the best choice must be found. The speech is patriotic, but goes too far, and the answer must reflect both of these things. "Jingoism," meaning over the top patriotic speech, is the best choice.
Example Question #75 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The small role proved to be the _______________ of his career, as he never garnered any more success.
paragon
consensus
zenith
nadir
alibi
zenith
The sentence says the subject "never garnered any more success." This means that the correct answer will mean a high point or peak, the definition of "zenith."
Example Question #76 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Being uncomfortable with fame, the author became a ______________ and never gave interviews.
itinerant
recluse
nomad
hermit
cynic
recluse
The sentence notes both that the author was "uncomfortable with fame" and "never gave interviews." The correct answer will indicate the author's avoidance of others. "Recluse," meaning a person who cuts himself off from others, is the best choice.
Example Question #77 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Her _____________ was astonishing, and she was often a victim of fraud.
gullibility
libertarianism
omniscience
nonchalance
irrepressibility
gullibility
Being "a victim of fraud" indicates the subject of the sentence was easily tricked and duped. The correct answer will mean too trusting or easy to be fooled, the definition of gullibility.
Example Question #78 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Her _________________ was contagious, and soon the whole room was smiling.
elusiveness
philanthropy
lasciviousness
jollity
irascibility
jollity
What is "contagious" turns "the whole room smiling." This means the correct answer will indicate something that produces smiling. "Jollity," meaning happiness or levity, is the best choice.
Example Question #79 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Although hyped before the primaries, the candidate ultimately proved a ______________.
buttress
portent
weight
subterfuge
nonentity
nonentity
The missing word is contrasted with the attention given to the candidate "before the primaries." The correct answer will demonstrate the candidate's inability to live up to the hype. "Nonentity," meaning a nonfactor or unimportant person or thing, is the best fit in the sentence.
Example Question #80 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
With the recent acquisition, the President of the company felt he had hit a ___________ and was uncertain what to do next.
bulwark
guile
pinnacle
precinct
nadir
pinnacle
The President is reflecting on a success, which makes him "uncertain what to do next." The correct answer will mean some point which is hard to duplicate or suppress. "Pinnacle," meaning highest point or topmost moment, is the best choice.
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