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 #1143 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Very few European cultures were __________, as men were firmly in control of politics, economics, and religion.
libertarian
apathetic
matriarchal
mutinous
polygamist
matriarchal
Men being "in control" is used in reference as the opposite of the missing word, as "very few" cultures fit the description. The correct answer must mean governed by women, the definition of "matriarchal."
Example Question #1144 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The old man was __________ enough never to buy anything new or at full price.
apathetic
lavish
petulant
parsimonious
immoderate
parsimonious
If a man will "never buy anything new or at full price," he is watching his spending habits closely. The correct answer will indicate his careful approach to financial matters. "Parsimonious," meaning frugal or thrifty, is the best choice.
Example Question #1145 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The __________ argument was immediately rebutted with a much more substantive one.
profound
ineffable
vacuous
grave
resplendent
vacuous
The argument described by the missing word is contrasted with "a much more substantive one." The correct answer will mean empty or meaningless, the definition of "vacuous."
Example Question #1146 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The employees were __________ about asking their boss for anything because of his volatile temper.
decisive
subversive
apprehensive
gratuitous
assertive
apprehensive
Since the boss had a "volatile temper," asking him for things would be difficult. The correct answer will show the employees approached their boss with that difficulty in mind. "Apprehensive," meaning worried and fearful, is the best choice.
Example Question #1147 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
In a new environment, people usually become __________ and gauge everyone around them before acting.
indecisive
lax
masochistic
disinterested
circumspect
circumspect
To "gauge everyone" before taking action means that the missing word needs to indicate people judge their situation carefully. The correct answer will mean cautious or suspicious, the definition of "circumspect."
Example Question #1148 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The expedition had a __________ first few weeks, with everything going wrong to delay it repeatedly.
fitful
purposeful
choleric
puerile
spurious
fitful
Having things "delay it repeatedly" means the expedition was not moving very consistently. The correct answer will mean not continuous or inconsistent, the definition of "fitful."
Example Question #1149 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The general was __________, and marched his army at a feverish pace.
disinterested
esoteric
ambivalent
deferent
inexorable
inexorable
The general makes his army march "at a feverish pace." This means he is pushing them consistently hard. "Inexorable," meaning relentless and inevitable, is the correct answer.
Example Question #1150 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Not a gifted speaker, his lectures were __________ rather than inspiring.
succinct
ebullient
brief
prosaic
verbose
prosaic
The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with "inspiring," meaning the correct answer must stand in opposition to "inspiring." "Prosaic," meaning ordinary and unimaginative, is the best choice.
Example Question #1151 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The landscape engineering was a miracle that turned the area from a boggy marsh to completely __________ in just a few years.
potable
tranquil
arable
barren
mired
arable
The land went from "a boggy marsh" to the missing word in a "miracle" of engineering. This means the correct answer will contrast with "a boggy marsh." "Arable," meaning able to be cultivated and farmed, is the best fit.
Example Question #864 : One Blank Texts
In many cultures, insulting someone's family is such a __________ offense, it was cause relationships to stop.
gracious
pervasive
venial
flagrant
carnal
flagrant
Causing "relationships to stop" is a strong reaction to any offense. The correct answer will make the offense strong enough to cause such a reaction. "Flagrant," meaning clearly wrong or obviously bad, is the best choice.
All GRE Verbal Resources
