GRE Verbal : Parts of Speech in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #81 : Text Completion
The young orphan looked to his parents' photographs as a ______________ to his own past.
legend
riddle
eulogy
misnomer
chimera
legend
The orphan is attempting to find something through his parents' photographs. The orphan is using the photographs as a guide. In this sense, "legend," referring to the key of a map, is the choice that best fits the sentence.
Example Question #82 : Text Completion
While the graffiti never became too serious a problem, it continued to be a ____________ for the police department.
wane
bane
boon
goad
paradigm
bane
The graffiti might not be "too serious," but it is still problematic for the police. The correct answer choice will indicate both the problems and the smallness of them. "Bane," meaning a consistent bother, is the correct answer.
Example Question #22 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The show is not just a good musical, but almost a perfect model of the ___________.
ephemera
genre
connoiseur
effigy
jargon
genre
The key word in this sentence is "musical." As a musical is a particular category or type of show, the correct answer is "genre," which has that exact definition.
Example Question #83 : Text Completion
The fierce ___________ between the two rivals slowly turned into a warm friendship.
inimitability
rancor
familiarity
affability
fraternity
rancor
The sentence both indicates the two were rivals and contrasts the answer with "warm friendship." The correct answer choice should make it clear the rivalry was quite intense. Of the choices, only "rancor," meaning resentment or a bad feeling, fits the sentence appropriately.
Example Question #84 : Text Completion
His small writings on the beat scene made him known as "The ____________ of Jazz."
Bane
Paragon
Bard
Cudgel
Bastion
Bard
In this sentence, many of the choices could fit, but the best fit needs to be found. The phrase "small writings" is the best indicator of the right answer. "Bard," a word for writer or poet, is the word that best fits in the sentence.
Example Question #88 : Text Completion
Despite a campaign to save the old courthouse, the ________ proved too crumbling to be restored.
edifice
buttress
aesthetics
bulwark
paradigm
edifice
The "old courthouse" is what is described by the answer, so the correct choice will be able to identify the courthouse. "Edifice," meaning building or structure, is the best choice.
Example Question #21 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The talk show host drew _____________ from critics for his confrontational interviews.
ire
ardor
acclimation
effusion
adoration
ire
The host is described as "confrontational" in the sentence; the host is also mentioned as having critics. Those critics would be upset and angry with the host. Of all the choices, only "ire," meaning anger, has the appropriate meaning.
Example Question #22 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The owner insisted the contract was phrased so that the employee had to work in _____________ for the company, and could never leave.
perpetuity
intemperance
perspicacity
mutiny
acuity
perpetuity
The last phrase of the sentence, "could never leave," is the key to finding the answer. The correct answer will essentially mean "never leave." "Perpetuity," meaning forever or eternity, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #93 : Text Completion
Instead of being generous and gracious, his speech became a ___________ against his opponent.
rant
pose
pontification
retraction
concession
rant
The speech is defined as not being "generous and gracious." The correct answer, then, should mean an angry or even nasty speech, which is the definition of "rant."
Example Question #23 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Her ______________ was impressive for such a young girl, and her father liked to show off her wit.
obtuseness
perspicacity
obsequiousness
irascibility
deference
perspicacity
The sentence finishes by talking about the girl's wit, and parallels her wit to the answer blank. The correct choice will mean sharpness or clerverness, which is the definition of "perspicacity."
All GRE Verbal Resources
