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 #121 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
After the first day of the road trip, he decided to become the __________ of the group's travels in his journal.
usurper
rancor
underminer
paragon
chronicler
chronicler
The subject is putting down the "group's travels in his journal." This means he is recording the actions and circumstances of the group's trip, the description of the work of a "chronicler."
Example Question #121 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Suggested to be played at a brisk pace, the band instead played the song like a __________.
celebration
smorgasbord
stanza
dirge
vignette
dirge
The way the band played the song is at odds with the suggested "brisk pace." The correct answer will mean a slow or not as fast song. "Dirge," meaning a sad and mournful song, is the best choice.
Example Question #122 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
His essay on puddles contained surprising __________ for dealing with such a light subject.
debility
brevity
vacuousness
levity
profundity
profundity
The essay is on a "light subject," but has a "surprising" amount of the missing word. The correct answer must be an antonym of "light." "Profundity," meaning depth and insight, is the best choice.
Example Question #123 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Some psychologists believe teens' __________ is a put on, and that they care more deeply than they admit.
apathy
masochism
fervor
irascibility
altruism
apathy
The sentence explicitly contrasts that teens "care more deeply" with their "put on" of the missing word. The correct answer will mean the opposite of caring deeply. "Apathy," meaning disinterest or lack of emotion, is the best choice.
Example Question #124 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The __________ of a parent will spur a child to action, as a forbidden act is always more tempting to try.
condoning
torpor
solace
nonchalance
disapprobation
disapprobation
The sentence discusses a "forbidden act," in a parallel way to the missing word. The correct answer must therefore match this sense of being fordbidden. "Disapprobation," meaning disapproval or condemnation, is the best choice.
Example Question #125 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The __________ of their supporters was unmatched, and their chants drowned out everything else.
disinterest
fervor
apathy
nonchalance
ambivalence
fervor
Having chants that have "drowned out everything else" indicates the supporters were quite loud. The correct answer will tell why they were so vocal. "Fervor," meaning passion or enthusiasm, is the best fit.
Example Question #126 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
He viewed himself as a stern leader, but his troops thought he actually became a ridiculous __________.
protégé
parody
inebriate
martinet
mercenary
martinet
The troops disagree with the subject's view of himself only in degree. If he sees himself as stern, his troops think he seriousness goes too far. "Martinet," meaning a person too attached to rules and discipline, is the correct answer.
Example Question #127 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The film's jokes were so on target that many viewers were unaware it was a __________.
parody
circumvention
paragon
decoy
vignette
parody
The sentence says two things about the film: it had a number of jokes and it was the missing word. The correct answer must therefore be something to do with jokes or comedy. "Parody," meaning a spoof or mocking imitation, is the best choice.
Example Question #128 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
After the main battle, two retreating columns quickly collided in a __________, but with few consequences.
skirmish
subversion
recapitulation
nonentity
juxtaposition
skirmish
The "two retreating columns" collided "after the main battle." This means their encounter was not a serious one, which is why it had "few consequences." "Skirmish," meaning a minor battle or clash, is the correct answer.
Example Question #129 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Many communities were planned as __________, but reality revealed their imperfect nature.
utopias
metaphors
parishes
paramours
tomes
utopias
If reality shows the "imperfect nature" of the communities, then it can be inferred they were planned with different intentions. The correct answer should mean perfect societies or ideal worlds, the definition of "utopias."
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