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 #991 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The young woman favored trivial conversations, and strenuously avoided ___________ topics.
weighty
supercilious
genial
gratuitous
subtle
weighty
The sentence's structure contrasts the answer blank with "trivial." The correct answer will mean serious or important, which is the definition of "weighty."
Example Question #681 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
His blue mohawk made him a ___________________ figure everywhere in the small town.
mundane
congenital
condoning
conspicuous
subtle
conspicuous
A "blue mohawk" would stick out quite a bit in a small town. The correct answer will show how different and unusual it is. "Conspicuous," meaning obvious or easily seen, is the best choice.
Example Question #682 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The manager developed a ________________ desire to be promoted when he saw the new job's accompanying salary.
burgeoning
suppressed
equivocating
transgressed
belittling
burgeoning
The tone of the sentence indicates the "accompanying salary" makes the manager want the promotion more. The correct answer will show the growth in his desire. "Burgeoning," meaning to flourish or expand, is the best fit among the answer choices.
Example Question #683 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Most commentators considered his new love of environmentalism ________________ because of his past actions against environmentalists.
exacerbating
exceptional
exemplary
hypocritical
illuminating
hypocritical
The switch from being "against environmentalists" to "a love of environmentalism" indicates insincerity. The correct answer should indicate that as well as the criticism implied by the sentence. "Hypocritical," meaning insincere or pretending to believe something when one does not, is the best choice.
Example Question #684 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
His mother grew concerned when the usually hyperactive boy was suddenly ___________.
lethargic
exuberant
exasperated
loquacious
exceptionable
lethargic
The sentence indicates the mother is concerned because "the usually hyperactive boy" is acting differently. The correct answer will therefore mean without energy or tired, which is the definition of "lethargic."
Example Question #685 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
After a successful ad campaign, the company had a _______________ month for sales.
demure
rotund
limpid
saccharin
robust
robust
The key word in the sentence is "successful," which indicates the sales were similarly excellent. The correct answer will be a word indicating those good sales and describing their strength. "Robust," meaning healthy and strong, is the best choice.
Example Question #686 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The playful puppy was surprisingly __________________ during his obedience training.
irascible
obstreperous
tractable
irksome
transgressive
tractable
The missing word is contrasted with "playful," and the behavior described by the answer occurs during "obedience training." The correct answer will mean dutiful or obedient, the definition of "tractable."
Example Question #687 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The kitchen, with its strong peppers and vibrant sauces, was a wonderful _____________ experience.
intellectual
pragmatic
olfactory
hallucinatory
auditory
olfactory
The sentence specifically pulls out the peppers and sauces of the kitchen. The correct answer will relate to the experience of those items. "Olfactory," meaning concerned with the sense of smell, is the best choice.
Example Question #688 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The crew still had to run tests to determine if the liquid was ________________ and nontoxic.
potable
egregious
opaque
obtuse
ambiguous
potable
The sentence pairs the missing word with "nontoxic;" therefore, the correct answer will be similar in meaning to "nontoxic." "Potable," meaning suitable for drinking, is the best choice.
Example Question #689 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
A trim man as a youth, he grew more and more _______________ as he aged.
rotund
slender
palaver
lithe
vigorous
rotund
The sentence contrasts the subject's trim physique as a younger man with the missing word. The correct answer will indicate he is physically unfit. "Rotund," meaning large and round, is the best choice among the answers.
All GRE Verbal Resources
