GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #121 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
He viewed himself as a stern leader, but his troops thought he actually became a ridiculous __________.
mercenary
parody
martinet
inebriate
protégé
martinet
The troops disagree with the subject's view of himself only in degree. If he sees himself as stern, his troops think he seriousness goes too far. "Martinet," meaning a person too attached to rules and discipline, is the correct answer.
Example Question #122 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The film's jokes were so on target that many viewers were unaware it was a __________.
decoy
parody
circumvention
paragon
vignette
parody
The sentence says two things about the film: it had a number of jokes and it was the missing word. The correct answer must therefore be something to do with jokes or comedy. "Parody," meaning a spoof or mocking imitation, is the best choice.
Example Question #191 : Text Completion
After the main battle, two retreating columns quickly collided in a __________, but with few consequences.
skirmish
recapitulation
juxtaposition
subversion
nonentity
skirmish
The "two retreating columns" collided "after the main battle." This means their encounter was not a serious one, which is why it had "few consequences." "Skirmish," meaning a minor battle or clash, is the correct answer.
Example Question #121 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Many communities were planned as __________, but reality revealed their imperfect nature.
metaphors
tomes
paramours
utopias
parishes
utopias
If reality shows the "imperfect nature" of the communities, then it can be inferred they were planned with different intentions. The correct answer should mean perfect societies or ideal worlds, the definition of "utopias."
Example Question #131 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
His __________ was an effort to say a great deal without revealing any information.
circumlocution
discernment
skepticism
inanity
recapitulation
circumlocution
The sentence reveals two key facts: the subject says "a great deal," while also saying little actual information. The correct answer needs to hold the two conflicting notions together. "Circumlocution," meaning using too many words to avoid a subject, is the best choice.
Example Question #132 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The __________ of the legislation was blamed on no parties wishing to move it along.
surreptitiousness
profundity
progress
ignominy
inertia
inertia
The legislation has no one "to move it along," indicating it is stuck in the same place. The correct answer needs to mean inactivity or a lack of motion; "inertia" relates to motion, and can indicate either a lack of progress.
Example Question #133 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Most members of the team thought he volunteered for the unpleasant jobs because he was a __________.
peccadillo
masochist
cliché
martinet
hypochondriac
masochist
The subject is volunteering for "unpleasant jobs" that no one else presumably wants to do. The correct answer must indicate a reason he volunteers for these tasks. "Masochist," meaning someone who enjoys inflicting pain on him- or herself, is the correct answer.
Example Question #134 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The boy had a reputation as a __________, because he was always the last kid in his class to do anything.
chronicler
nonentity
libertarian
sluggard
hypocrite
sluggard
Being "the last kid in his class to do anything," means the boy is either extremely slow or extremely lazy. The correct answer must indicate this aspect of the boy's personality. "Sluggard," meaning a slow moving person, is the best choice.
Example Question #135 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The level of __________ between the siblings meant they could not visit their parents at the same time.
amity
discord
poignance
profundity
felicity
discord
The siblings can not see "their parents at the same time." This means the correct answer needs to mean disagreement or enmity, the definition of "discord."
Example Question #136 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Threading a needle the way she did took a level of __________ most people do not have.
ambivalence
boorishness
finesse
ineffability
parody
finesse
"Threading a needle" in a way other people could not means the subject is particularly talented. The correct answer must corectly reflect her talent. "Finesse," meaning fine skill or subtle movement, is the best choice.
All GRE Verbal Resources
