GRE Verbal : Parts of Speech in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1011 : One Blank Texts
No matter how hard his employees attempted to make him laugh, he retained his __________ demeanor.
conniving
affable
humorous
garrulous
stolid
stolid
If his employees try "to make him laugh," then the subject's demeanor is quite serious. The correct answer must mean boring or not humorous. "Stolid," meaning impassive or indifferent, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1012 : One Blank Texts
Initially viewed as merely capable public speaker, she quickly proved to be a __________ orator.
perplexing
dynamic
mundane
volatile
usual
dynamic
The sentence notes the subject has moved from being "merely capable" to the missing word. This indicates the subject has become a quite successful orator. "Dynamic," meaning vibrant and energetic, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1013 : One Blank Texts
He was an __________ complainer, and could find fault in anything.
inebriate
intemperate
unapproachable
inveterate
underwhelming
inveterate
If the subject "could find fault in anything," then he is complaining quite a bit. This means the correct answer shoulod indicate a constancy or persistence. "Inveterate," meaning habitual or compulsive, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1014 : One Blank Texts
In an era of rowdy partisanship, the governor remained a __________ presence in the debates of the times.
fallow
manipulative
conniving
pretentious
temperate
temperate
The sentence contrasts the missing word, describing the governor, with "rowdy partisanship." The correct answer must reflect a calming presence or a nonpartisan element. "Temperate," meaning moderate or even-handed, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1015 : One Blank Texts
His tendency to stay out late at clubs and bars began to have a __________ effect on his performance.
percipient
dynamic
desultory
exemplary
pretentious
desultory
The sentence connects his "performance" with his "tendency to stay out late," a problematic behavior. This indicates the correct answer would reflect these problems. "Desultory," meaning inconsistent and haphazard, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1016 : One Blank Texts
His __________ writing wonderfully memorialized his fallen comrade.
somatic
mundane
elegaic
malevolent
prosaic
elegaic
The "writing" described by the missing word has "memorialized his fallen comrade." The correct answer needs to have an appropriate connotation of memorializing. "Elegaic," meaning in praise of a dead person, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1061 : Text Completion
The efforts at farming the land did not work because the plot had been __________ for too long.
compliant
indigent
fallow
pithy
temperate
fallow
The sentence describes an inability "at farming the land," because it had been the missing word. The correct answer must indicate the plot's lack of use. "Fallow," meaning uncultivated and undeveloped, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1062 : Text Completion
The __________ review of the plans meant the people in charge did not see the flaws contained in them.
peremptory
comprehensive
perfunctory
profound
methodical
perfunctory
The "flaws" in the plan were not seen because of the kind of review described by the missing word. The correct answer has to demonstrate that the review was the kind that would look over problems. "Perfunctory," meaning superficial or cursory, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1063 : Text Completion
The smart boy was quite __________ when it came to studying, believing good grades would naturally come to him.
seminal
vigorous
adept
complacent
pedantic
complacent
The "smart boy" believes "good grades would naturally come to him." This indicates he thinks he does not need to work very hard "when it comes to studying." "Complacent," meaning self-satisfied to the point of being lazy, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1064 : Text Completion
The service on the website was __________, and prevented people from staying on it for too long.
exemplary
unwavering
germane
intermittent
stellar
intermittent
The service prevents "people from staying on it too long." This indicates the service was highly inconsistent, which should be reflected in the correct answer. "Intermittent," meaning sporadic or irregular, is the best choice among the answers.
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