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 : Parts Of Speech 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.

Possible Answers:

paragon

rancor

usurper

chronicler

underminer

Correct answer:

chronicler

Explanation:

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 #122 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Suggested to be played at a brisk pace, the band instead played the song like a __________.

Possible Answers:

celebration

dirge

smorgasbord

vignette

stanza

Correct answer:

dirge

Explanation:

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 #123 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

His essay on puddles contained surprising __________ for dealing with such a light subject.

Possible Answers:

debility

brevity

profundity

vacuousness

levity

Correct answer:

profundity

Explanation:

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 #124 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Some psychologists believe teens' __________ is a put on, and that they care more deeply than they admit.

Possible Answers:

fervor

irascibility

apathy

masochism

altruism

Correct answer:

apathy

Explanation:

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 #125 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The __________ of a parent will spur a child to action, as a forbidden act is always more tempting to try.

Possible Answers:

condoning

solace

torpor

nonchalance

disapprobation

Correct answer:

disapprobation

Explanation:

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 #126 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The __________ of their supporters was unmatched, and their chants drowned out everything else.

Possible Answers:

apathy

fervor

disinterest

nonchalance

ambivalence

Correct answer:

fervor

Explanation:

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 #127 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

He viewed himself as a stern leader, but his troops thought he actually became a ridiculous __________.

Possible Answers:

martinet

inebriate

mercenary

protégé

parody

Correct answer:

martinet

Explanation:

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 #128 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The film's jokes were so on target that many viewers were unaware it was a __________.

Possible Answers:

vignette

parody

paragon

decoy

circumvention

Correct answer:

parody

Explanation:

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 #129 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

After the main battle, two retreating columns quickly collided in a __________, but with few consequences.

Possible Answers:

nonentity

subversion

recapitulation

skirmish

juxtaposition

Correct answer:

skirmish

Explanation:

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 #130 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Many communities were planned as __________, but reality revealed their imperfect nature.

Possible Answers:

tomes

paramours

parishes

metaphors

utopias

Correct answer:

utopias

Explanation:

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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