GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

Example Question #117 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The Stock Market Crash took many people from the heights of the good life to living in __________.

Possible Answers:

frugality

penury

munificence

philanthropy

luxury

Correct answer:

penury

Explanation:

The sentence compares "the heights of the good life" to "living in" the missing word. Therefore, the correct answer needs to mean the opposite of "the good life." "Penury," meaning poverty and neediness, is the best choice.

Example Question #118 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The students massed in protest presented a __________ of the police force's trouble.

Possible Answers:

legion

genre

portent

diorama

utopia

Correct answer:

diorama

Explanation:

The missing word describes how the students appeared in light of "the police force's troubles." The correct answer must indicate a reflection or observation of the issues. "Diorama," meaning a model or representation, is the correct answer.

Example Question #119 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Although the teens claimed they had nothing to drink, their __________ was obvious.

Possible Answers:

disdain

fraud

poise

sobriety

inebriation

Correct answer:

inebriation

Explanation:

The teens are the missing word, which goes against the claim "they had nothing to drink." The correct answer must indicate they were actually drinking. "Inebriation," meaning intoxication and drunkenness, is the best fit.

Example Question #120 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The teaching method was criticized for wanting __________ among students, not allowing the most talented to shine.

Possible Answers:

obsequiousness

parity

whimsy

disinterest

tractability

Correct answer:

parity

Explanation:

"Not allowing the most talented to shine" is the key phrase in the sentence. The phrase indicates that the "teaching method" is trying to keep students even. "Parity," meaning equality or balance, is the best fit.

Example Question #121 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

After the first day of the road trip, he decided to become the __________ of the group's travels in his journal.

Possible Answers:

usurper

rancor

paragon

chronicler

underminer

Correct answer:

chronicler

Explanation:

The subject is putting down the "group's travels in his journal." This means he is recording the actions and circumstances of the group's trip, the description of the work of a "chronicler."

Example Question #122 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Suggested to be played at a brisk pace, the band instead played the song like a __________.

Possible Answers:

dirge

smorgasbord

celebration

stanza

vignette

Correct answer:

dirge

Explanation:

The way the band played the song is at odds with the suggested "brisk pace." The correct answer will mean a slow or not as fast song. "Dirge," meaning a sad and mournful song, is the best choice.

Example Question #123 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

His essay on puddles contained surprising __________ for dealing with such a light subject.

Possible Answers:

vacuousness

levity

debility

profundity

brevity

Correct answer:

profundity

Explanation:

The essay is on a "light subject," but has a "surprising" amount of the missing word.  The correct answer must be an antonym of "light." "Profundity," meaning depth and insight, is the best choice.

Example Question #124 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

Some psychologists believe teens' __________ is a put on, and that they care more deeply than they admit.

Possible Answers:

masochism

altruism

irascibility

fervor

apathy

Correct answer:

apathy

Explanation:

The sentence explicitly contrasts that teens "care more deeply" with their "put on" of the missing word. The correct answer will mean the opposite of caring deeply. "Apathy," meaning disinterest or lack of emotion, is the best choice.

Example Question #125 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The __________ of a parent will spur a child to action, as a forbidden act is always more tempting to try.

Possible Answers:

disapprobation

condoning

torpor

nonchalance

solace

Correct answer:

disapprobation

Explanation:

The sentence discusses a "forbidden act," in a parallel way to the missing word. The correct answer must therefore match this sense of being fordbidden. "Disapprobation," meaning disapproval or condemnation, is the best choice.

Example Question #126 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts

The __________ of their supporters was unmatched, and their chants drowned out everything else.

Possible Answers:

ambivalence

fervor

nonchalance

apathy

disinterest

Correct answer:

fervor

Explanation:

Having chants that have "drowned out everything else" indicates the supporters were quite loud. The correct answer will tell why they were so vocal. "Fervor," meaning passion or enthusiasm, is the best fit.

Tired of practice problems?

Try live online GRE prep today.

1-on-1 Tutoring
Live Online Class
1-on-1 + Class
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors