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 #1393 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Her use of old english seemed __________; it was an outdated way to speak, even then.
anachronistic
sundry
opaque
obligatory
trivial
anachronistic
The sentence indicates that the way she speaks is outdated. "Anachronistic" conveys that her speaking is more fitting for a different time.
Example Question #1102 : One Blank Texts
She viewed being __________ as her chief obligation in being a fair judge.
dispassionate
irascible
zealous
gullible
willful
dispassionate
The subject wishes to be a "fair judge," therefore "her chief obligation" would be something indicating fairness. The correct answer should mean neutral or objective, the definition of "dispassionate."
Example Question #1103 : One Blank Texts
The __________ evidence was lacking in the case, so the prosecution had to rely on circumstantial evidence.
alibi
nondescript
coincidental
forensic
elusive
forensic
The sentence describes a legal proceeding and notes that the prosecution had circumstantial evidence. The correct answer will indicate certain or secure evidence. "Forensic," meaning specific legal processes and standards, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #1104 : One Blank Texts
Her __________ sense of rhythm allowed him to pick up percussion instruments easily.
erratic
candid
innate
derisive
circumstantial
innate
The subject picks up "percussion instruments easily" as a result of the kind of "sense of rhythm" she possesses. This means the correct answer will show she has a natural "sense of rhythm." "Innate," meaning present from birth, inherent, or ingrained, is the best choice.
Example Question #1105 : One Blank Texts
His tactics were __________, and more creative chess players would routinely beat him.
irreproachable
pedestrian
novel
innovative
sophisticated
pedestrian
The subject routinely gets beaten by "more creative" players, which means he is not very creative. The correct answer needs to mean common or mundane, the definition of pedestrian.
Example Question #1106 : One Blank Texts
His __________ attitude was most pronounced when he complained about any kind of unfamiliar cuisine.
provincial
surreptitious
exuberant
mercurial
jovial
provincial
The dislike of "any kind of unfamiliar" cuisine means the subject is unsophisticated or unwilling to change. "Provincial," literally meaning from the outskirts, but also meaning unsophisticated or narrow minded, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1111 : One Blank Texts
People believed all manner of outlandish stories about her, and __________ rumors often spread quickly.
contrite
specious
candid
venial
succinct
specious
The sentence states that "outlandish stories" were widely believed. The correct answer will indicate a similar absurdity of the "rumors." "Specious," meaning false or unreliable, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #1112 : One Blank Texts
Many formerly-religious people say they left their faiths due to a problematic concern for relatively __________ sins.
subversive
ominous
obscene
venial
transgressive
venial
If the "formerly religious" feel the groups they left have a "problematic concern," it is reasonable they view the sins lightly. The correct answer should mean minor or unimportant, the definition of "venial."
Example Question #1113 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The scathing review of the revered director's new movie found its author at odds with many fans of the director, many of whom promptly penned their own similarly __________ responses to the critic.
laconic
lethargic
verbose
lionizing
condemnatory
condemnatory
The critic's review was "scathing," so we can infer that it was negative in tone. The responses from fans of the director are implied to be similar in tone to the critic's original review, and thus "condemnatory" is the correct answer, as it means condemning in nature or speaking poorly of a subject.
Example Question #1114 : One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
While many contemporary critics have hailed the poet's new collection as a triumph of creative expression, Humbert found the work to be __________ and altogether dull.
circumlocutious
prosaic
inopportune
flowery
germane
prosaic
The sentence implies that Humbert believes this work to be dull, and "prosaic" means common or uninspired, which makes it the best choice to finish this sentence, as it most closely aligns with the word "dull."
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