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 #124 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The basketball player appeared too _____________ to handle physical contact, but he was surprisingly muscular for being so lean.
rotund
personable
wispy
robust
surly
wispy
The player is described both as looking like he cannot take "physical contact," and that he is "lean." The correct answer needs to indicate needs to indicate that he looks thin and not very tough. "Wispy," meaning frail, delicate, and feather-like, is the best choice.
Example Question #125 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
In his personal life, he was usually quite pleasant, but on a football field he became positively ______________.
ingratiating
effusive
bestial
personable
affable
bestial
The sentence is structured so as to contrast the missing word with "pleasant." The correct answer will in some way be an antonym of "quite pleasant." "Bestial," meaning animal-like or inhuman, is the best choice.
Example Question #126 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The paper was trampled under foot, becoming _________________ and damaged.
erratic
corrugated
phlegmatic
poised
emaciated
corrugated
The paper is described as "damaged" after it was "trampled under foot." The correct answer will indicate some way it was damaged. "Corrugated," meaning folded repeatedly and sharply, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #818 : Text Completion
In his old age, he became quite ________________ about a youth he never enjoyed at the time.
wistful
philanthropic
erratic
sycophantic
altruistic
wistful
The man changed his outlook on his youth as he aged, and the missing word describes the view he now has. "Wistful," meaning to look back longingly on, is the correct answer.
Example Question #127 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The speech argued that the sacrifice of soldiers in a righteous cause could make the bloodiest battlefield _________________.
novel
elucidated
advocated
petrified
hallowed
hallowed
The phrase "in a righteous cause" is the best key to finding the correct answer. The missing word needs to reflect the "righteous cause" appropriately. "Hallowed," meaning consecrated or made holy, is the best fit.
Example Question #127 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
At the news of their court victory, the plaintiffs were ________________.
irascible
belligerent
beguiling
aloof
jubilant
jubilant
The plaintiffs have just heard they were victorious in court. Such news inspires a good deal of happiness. "Jubilant," meaning ecstatic and delighted, is the correct answer.
Example Question #821 : Text Completion
She was noted as being the most __________________ woman in town, as she vistited holy shrines regularly.
pious
potable
notorious
infamous
erratic
pious
The missing word is elaborated on by the phrase "visited holy shrines regularly." The correct answer needs to indicate the woman was extremely religious, the definition of "pious."
Example Question #1061 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Many therapists encourage _______________ methods to promote human contact with their patients.
erratic
reclusive
tactile
aloof
bestial
tactile
The key phrase in the sentence is "human contact." The correct answer needs to relate to "human contact" in some way. "Tactile," meaning related to the sense of touch, is the best fit.
Example Question #131 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
He had a reputation of being _______________ as a young man, but he became a serene presence in his twilight years.
taciturn
mundane
zany
poised
reclusive
zany
The sentence contrasts the man's "serence presence" as he aged, with his younger reputation. The correct answer will mean the opposite of "serene." "Zany," meaning crazy or wacky, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #132 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The general only adopted unusual methods when it became clear _____________ strategies would not work.
erratic
conventional
quirky
novel
obscure
conventional
The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with the general's "unusual methods." The correct answer will effectively mean usual. "Conventional," meaning common or customary, is the correct answer.
All GRE Verbal Resources
