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 #663 : One Blank Texts
The office was unimpressive to vistors, littered with ___________ technology and old furniture.
modern
obsolete
curious
contemporary
fashionable
obsolete
The two best words in the sentence to give a clue to the correct answer are "unimpressive" and "old." The use of these two adjectives with the answer blank means that the correct choice will fit with those words; therefore, "obsolete," meaning something that is out of date or ancient, is the correct answer.
Example Question #664 : One Blank Texts
Suddenly, the children became _____________, shouting and crying over seemingly nothing.
erratic
recalcitrant
poised
histrionic
reserved
histrionic
The shouting and crying of the children is the best clue to the correct answer. The word which will make the sentence complete needs to have the appropriate sense of shouting and crying. "Histrionic," which means exaggerated or affected emotionalism, is the only answer choice that fits appropriately in the sentence.
Example Question #665 : One Blank Texts
The couple's ______________ spending habits made them broke in a very short amount of time.
pecunious
odious
lavish
ascetic
parsimonious
lavish
The fact the couple became broke quickly means they were spending money at a rapid pace. The correct answer choice will indicate such an extreme level of spending. "Lavish," meaning wasteful or excessive, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #666 : One Blank Texts
The man was quite intelligent, but his speech impediment made him seem __________.
obtuse
garrulous
exuberant
erratic
officious
obtuse
The structure of the sentence indicates that the man was not seen as "quite intelligent," even if he really is. The correct answer should be an antonym of "intelligent." "Obtuse," meaning simple or dull, is the right choice.
Example Question #667 : One Blank Texts
In order to avoid interactions with people, he used a _____________ manner when he spoke with anyone.
lighthearted
brusque
deferent
laudatory
garrulous
brusque
Since the man is avoiding talking to anyone, it can be inferred that his approach to people was quite short. The correct choice should make it clear the man does not intend to speak much, if at all. "Brusque," meaning blunt or even rude, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #668 : One Blank Texts
Although still meeting occasionally, the organization had become _____________ regarding activities.
adamant
resplendent
torpid
resilient
officious
torpid
The two phrases of the sentence are placed in such a way that they contrast with each other. The habit of meeting occasionally is put against the group's attitude to activitied, and the correct answer will reflect this. "Torpid," meaning stagnant or inactive, is the best choice.
Example Question #671 : One Blank Texts
The building's _____________ qualities could not outweigh its structural deficiencies.
histrionic
aesthetic
rigorous
boorish
erratic
aesthetic
The "qualities" the answer describes are something at odds with structural issues, and need to reflect the non-structural elements of a building. "Aesthetic," meaning relating to art and beauty, is the only answer choice that fits.
Example Question #960 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The phone number was ______________, and had not been in use for years.
overwhelming
undersold
defunct
portentuous
inconsistent
defunct
The meaning of the correct answer is essentially evident with "had not been in use." This is the exact definition of "defunct."
Example Question #672 : One Blank Texts
After reading a variety of racist books, the man's beliefs became particularly __________.
equivocal
odious
exuberant
jovial
serene
odious
The man's beliefs changed after he had read "racist books," giving a strong clue to the correct word. Presumably, the books were hateful and nasty. "Odious," meaning repellent and hateful, is the only answer choice that fits the sentence.
Example Question #673 : One Blank Texts
No matter how often the teacher begged for quiet, the students remained quite _____________.
docile
unassuming
voluble
impenetrable
reserved
voluble
The teacher cannot get the students to be quiet, no matter what. The students, therefore, are being loud and boisterous. Only "voluble," meaning talkative or noisy, fits the meaning of the sentence.
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