GRE Verbal : Parts of Speech in One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #965 : Text Completion

Despite gestures of good will, the new CEO was continually seen as a rather __________ presence to her employeees.

Possible Answers:

benign

indifferent

uncompromising

malevolent

Correct answer:

malevolent

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts the missing word with "good will." This means the correct answer will in some way mean the opposite of "good will." "Malevolent," meaning intrinsically and irreversibly evil, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #966 : Text Completion

The young boy was remarkably __________, and always bothered his parents until he got what he wanted.

Possible Answers:

reclusive

importunate

nonplussed

complacent

immoderate

Correct answer:

importunate

Explanation:

The boy's has "always bothered his parents," which the sentence's structure indicates is a near definition for the missing word.  The correct answer should mean persistent and annoying, which is the definition of "importunate." 

Example Question #967 : Text Completion

The defendant was seen by the jury as __________, and they specifically mentioned they believed the police's account more.

Possible Answers:

authentic

disingenuous

candid

sycophantic

complacent

Correct answer:

disingenuous

Explanation:

The jury "believed the police's account more," which means they felt the defendant was less trustworthy. The correct answer must indicate that the jury was not entirely certain about the defendant's story. "Disingenuous," meaning insincere or deceitful, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #968 : Text Completion

Her good moods were __________, and she usually walked around with a sour temperament.

Possible Answers:

probable

evanescent

enduring

fortuitous

fortifying

Correct answer:

evanescent

Explanation:

The "good moods" are explicitly contrasted with her "sour temperament" being what "she usually walked around with" in her life. The correct answer will indicate the "good moods" are not permanent or customary.  "Evanescent," meaning short lived and fleeting, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #969 : Text Completion

The employment recruiter admitted resumes did not always help, and that he looked for __________ elements in prospective employees.

Possible Answers:

concrete

throwaway

insincere

intangible

material

Correct answer:

intangible

Explanation:

While there are some clues in the sentence, particularly that the recruiter thought "resumes did not always help," the answer choices provide an opportunity to rule out answers.  "Throwaway" and "insincere" are synonyms, as are "concrete" and "material," which means they would give the same meaning to the sentence and cannot be correct answers.  "Intangible," meaning abstract or impossible to define, is the best choice.

Example Question #970 : Text Completion

The __________ communities strongly objected to the municipality's decision to move their waste to outlying areas.

Possible Answers:

indifferent

powerful

distant

proximate

callous

Correct answer:

proximate

Explanation:

Since the communities described by the missing word have "strongly objected," then "indifferent" and "callous" can be ruled out. Similarly, a "powerful" or "distant" community would have no need to object over a waste problem. "Proximate," meaning near and immediate, is the best choice.

Example Question #971 : Text Completion

The boy's __________ nature meant he got in more than his share of fights.

Possible Answers:

debilitating

cowardly

passive

pugnacious

reclusive

Correct answer:

pugnacious

Explanation:

The best clue in the sentence is that the boy "got in more than his share of fights." This indicates the best answer will have to do with fighting. "Pugnacious," meaning aggressive and ready to fight, is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #972 : Text Completion

His __________ manner at public events usually embarassed his much more proper wife.

Possible Answers:

immaculate

affable

gregarious

personable

gauche

Correct answer:

gauche

Explanation:

The subject stands in contrast to "his much more proper wife."  This means his manner, which is also described as "embarrasing," is decidedly not proper. "Gauche," meaning awkward or tacky, is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #973 : Text Completion

The football coach's __________ approach to training surprised all the players used to more traditional methods.

Possible Answers:

vulgar

orthodox

mundane

inane

heterodox

Correct answer:

heterodox

Explanation:

The key word in the sentence is "traditional," as the sentence is constructed to contrast the missing word with it.  All of the other information, about football, coaching, and training methods, is unnecessary to find the correct answer. "Heterodox," meaning unorthodox and against tradition, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #974 : Text Completion

She was noted for being extremely __________, and always had every article of clothing in place.

Possible Answers:

callow

intractable

mannered

discombobulated

slovenly

Correct answer:

mannered

Explanation:

The subject has a careful approach to her appearance, with "every article of clothing in place." This indicates she was always making sure to look appropriate. "Mannered," meaning stylized and affected, is the best choice among the answers.

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