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 #481 : One Blank Texts
The gang was able to __________ the jewels through befriending and tricking the guard.
evade
purloin
condone
elude
ratify
purloin
The "gang" did something with the jewels by "tricking the guard." This means they got past the guard, presumably to commit a crime. "Purloin," meaning to acquire in a suspicious or illegal manner, is the correct answer.
Example Question #482 : One Blank Texts
Arriving full of idealism, the freshman Senator found it surprisingly difficult to __________ support for his favorite issues.
usurp
dissipate
belie
marshal
evade
marshal
The Senator finds some aspect of dealing with "his favorite issues" difficult, despite being "full of idealism." This indicates that he cannot convince others on the issues. "Marshal," meaning to gather together, is the correct answer.
Example Question #483 : One Blank Texts
The pretender to the throne __________ the crown by defeating his predecessor in battle.
usurped
assuaged
discerned
confounded
belied
usurped
"The pretender" defeated the former king in battle. The correct answer will indicate that the pretender took possesion of the crown. "Usurp," meaning to take away someone's position, is the best fit.
Example Question #484 : One Blank Texts
Without his glasses, he was unable to __________ any shapes walking at him.
eviscerate
facilitate
confound
decimate
discern
discern
The sentence notes the man has trouble performing the missing word "without his glasses." This means the correct answer will be something difficult with poor vision. "Discern," meaning to distinguish or understand, is the best choice.
Example Question #485 : One Blank Texts
Although a target for criticism, she had a special ability to __________ any accusations and come out unscathed.
proscribe
propose
parry
instigate
absorb
parry
The subject will "come out unscathed," so she is not harmed by the accusations. The correct answer will indicate the criticism is being turned off by the subject. "Parry," meaning to deflect or fend off, is the best choice.
Example Question #486 : One Blank Texts
For weeks, the board __________ between the two candidates for CEO.
appeased
vacillated
nettled
circumscribed
collated
vacillated
The board had "two candidates for CEO" it was dealing with "for weeks." This means the board was taking time to make a decision. "Vacillated," meaning wavering or hesitating, is the correct answer.
Example Question #491 : One Blank Texts
The negotiator thought he could __________ both sides by giving in to certain demands.
circumvent
appease
epitomize
hinder
lance
appease
A negotiator's job is to settle disagreements. If he is "giving in to certain demands," then he is trying to help both sides. "Appease," meaning to pacify or calm, is the correct answer.
Example Question #492 : One Blank Texts
The attempts to __________ the protests backfired, resulting in the largest gathering yet.
burnish
alleviate
bolster
circumnavigate
circumscribe
circumscribe
The missing word did not work but "backfired," causing "the largest gathering yet." This means the correct answer needs to indicate a suppresion of the protests. "Circumscribe," meaning to limit or prohibit, is the best choice.
Example Question #493 : One Blank Texts
The mine's product was worthless, as engineers had no way to __________ what was pulled from the ground.
smelt
deride
pollute
exculpate
condone
smelt
The substance "pulled from the ground" is "worthless" because doing the missing word is impossible. The correct answer needs to mean a process that makes raw material valuable. "Smelt," meaning to refine an ore into usable metal, is the correct answer.
Example Question #494 : One Blank Texts
His efforts to __________ tax law backfired and got him indicted for fraud.
circumvent
exculpate
solicit
ordain
appease
circumvent
If a person gets indicted, then he is not obeying the law. The correct answer will reflect his dislike or avoidance of "tax law." "Circumvent," meaning to go around or move out of the way of, is the best choice.
All GRE Verbal Resources
