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 #803 : Text Completion
She was always ______________, and never listened to any advice as a child.
wispy
ambiguous
willful
demure
tractable
willful
The key description in the sentence is that she "never listened to any advice." The correct answer will therefore mean stubborn or determined, which is the definition of "willful."
Example Question #762 : One Blank Texts
The old man was ____________ to the whole neighborhood, and always helped anyone in need.
benevolent
cynical
irascible
suspect
reclusive
benevolent
The old man "helped anyone in need." The correct answer needs to match the help he gave. "Benevolent," meaning kindly or good, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #763 : One Blank Texts
His ___________________ appearance covered up an inner nervousness.
ebullient
pertinent
transient
nonchalant
petulant
nonchalant
The subject's appearance helps mask "inner nervousness." The correct answer will then be the opposite of "nervousness." "Nonchalant," meaning calm and indifferent, is the best choice.
Example Question #805 : Text Completion
Few pundits gave the older boxer a chance, but the ________________ veteran managed to outsmart his young opponent.
wily
tranquil
pious
zealous
decrepit
wily
The sentence mentions the veteran's ability to "outsmart" his opponent. The correct answer will describe how the older boxer is able to do this. "Wily," meaning cunning and clever, is the best choice.
Example Question #806 : Text Completion
The town was worried about the stranger, even though his intentions were ___________.
lecherous
erratic
benign
salacious
grave
benign
The sentence contrasts the town's worry with the intentions of the stranger, described by the missing word. The correct answer will mean good or nonthreatening. "Benign," meaning harmless or kind, is the best choice.
Example Question #807 : Text Completion
He was astonishingly _________________, and frequently offended people as soon as he met them.
wily
nonchalant
sagacious
tranquil
guileless
guileless
The subject "frequently offended people," and the missing words indicates why. The correct answer will be a word noting an attitude that will offend people. "Guileless," meaning clumsily and straightforwardly honest, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #811 : Text Completion
His mood had improved, and he remained ___________ for the rest of the evening.
reclusive
lethargic
cynical
jaundiced
jocular
jocular
The subject's "mood had improved," which resulted in him becoming the mood described by the missing word. The correct answer will indicate happiness and good feelings. "Jocular," meaning joking and lighthearted, is the best choice.
Example Question #772 : One Blank Texts
The military research headquarters was actually in a _________________ warehouse to fend off prying eyes.
nondescript
portentous
lavish
ebullient
baroque
nondescript
The building has to "fend off prying eyes" because of the research it is conducting. The correct answer will indicate the attempt to put off onlookers or deflect attention. "Nondescript," meaning ordinary and without any notable features, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #773 : One Blank Texts
With the hire of a new salesman, the long time employee worried he was now ______________.
nondescript
supercilious
redundant
bourgeois
germinal
redundant
The "hire of a new salesman" has a direct impact on the old employee's job. The correct answer will indicate the old employee's new irrelevance. "Redundant," meaning unnecessary and repetitive, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #774 : One Blank Texts
His mother was worried his odd mannerisms made him ______________ to bullying from classmates.
ambiguous
susceptible
posthumous
nebulous
redundant
susceptible
The boy's mother is concerned about the connection of his peers' bullying to his odd mannerisms. The correct answer needs to mean vulnerable or at risk of, the definition of "susceptible."
All GRE Verbal Resources
