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 #1041 : Text Completion
His __________ stance put him at odds with his more conciliatory colleagues.
discerning
acquiescent
belligerent
flippant
mellow
belligerent
The missing word is contrasted with the colleagues being "more conciliatory." The correct answer has to indicate he is unwilling to compromise. "Belligerent," meaning hostile and war like, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1042 : Text Completion
excessive
couture
utilitarian
rococo
baroque
utilitarian
The sentence explicitly says the vehicle has a "lack of style and luxury," but is "well loved." The correct answer will indicate its unglamorousness. "Utilitarian," meaning functional and basic, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1043 : Text Completion
Despite his confrontational statements, he proved quite __________ when he needed to make a deal.
onerous
bellicose
obscene
vociferous
tractable
tractable
The sentence contrasts the missing word with his "confrontational statements." The correct answer will need to indicate that the subject was actually helpful. "Tractable," meaning obedient and dutiful, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1044 : Text Completion
By the end of his life, he had become __________ and never stayed anywhere more than a few days.
inviolable
excessive
peripatetic
concise
reclusive
peripatetic
The key phrase in the sentence is "never stayed anywhere more than a few days." This indicates the correct answer will mean moving around or unable to stay still. "Peripatetic," meaning nomadic or wandering, is the best choice.
Example Question #1045 : Text Completion
The __________ speech made it clear the leader was unhappy with her opponents.
vitriolic
apologetic
recusant
banal
mundane
vitriolic
The leader's position of being "unhappy with her opponents" is the best clue in the sentence. This indicates the correct answer must mean diisappoint and/or anger. "Vitriolic," meaning full of anger and attacking, is the best choice.
Example Question #1049 : Text Completion
His __________ clothing stood out among the boring suits of his colleagues.
squalid
mundane
garish
common
banal
garish
The sentence contrasts the missing word with his colleages' "boring suits." The correct answer needs to mean the opposite of "boring." "Garish," meaning gaudy and outlandish, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1011 : One Blank Texts
For a young child, she was quite __________ in trying new and different foods.
stereotypical
adverse
intrepid
monotonous
hostile
intrepid
The "young child" is "trying new and different foods," a fact described by the missing word. The correct answer should mean brave and daring, the definition of "intrepid."
Example Question #1012 : One Blank Texts
The __________ nature of the job quickly made him want variety in his life.
quixotic
monotonous
dynamic
exuberant
eccentric
monotonous
The sentence explicitly notes the subject wanted "variety in his life." The correct answer will therefore be an antonym of "variety." "Monotonous," meaning dull or unvaried, is the best choice.
Example Question #1051 : Text Completion
The once prominent issue eventually became a _________ concern for most politicians.
seminal
pernicious
peripheral
cataclysmic
fractious
peripheral
The sentence uses the missing word to contrast the issue's current position with the fact it was "once prominent." The correct answer must mean unimportant and not central, the definition of "peripheral."
Example Question #1052 : Text Completion
While planned as a relaxing family vacation, the children ruined it with their __________ attitude.
querulous
ebullient
banal
affable
colloquial
querulous
The children's attitude has "ruined" the "relaxing family vacation." This means their attutude is problematic or annoying. "Querulous," meaning obnoxiously questioning, is the best choice among the answers.
All GRE Verbal Resources
