GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #479 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Though completely impverished, proud Clara preferred the prospect of homelessness to the __________ of admitting her situation to her friends or going on welfare.
triumph
abasement
elation
dignity
gratification
abasement
"Elation," meaning joy, would probably not be something someone impoverished was feeling upon considering her circumstances. Neither is "gratification," which means satisfication, nor is "triumph," which means victory. It would seem that Clara considers asking for help to be undignified, so "dignity" does not work. "Abasement", meaning shame, seems most like the thing she is trying to avoid by not asking for help, so this is the best choice.
Example Question #231 : Text Completion
The coach’s __________ of his star player at the awards ceremony made the young athlete proud.
disfavor
aversion
disregard
approbation
approbation
Approbation—approval; commendation.
Example Question #162 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The praising nod from the CEO during the keynote speech affirmed that the auditor was at the __________ of her career.
apogee
anticlimax
base
nadir
apogee
Apogee—the highest point; climax.
Example Question #481 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word that best completes the sentence below.
Before deciding which graphic designer to award the contract to, the manager required each designer to submit a(n) __________ of what he or she thought the finished website should look like.
critique
parody
repudiation
approbation
facsimile
facsimile
The correct answer is "facsimile," as it means a copy of an original (hence where the term "fax" comes from). In this case, the designers are required to submit an accurate copy of what they think the finished product should be so the manager can decide which is best.
Example Question #482 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word that best completes the sentence below.
The unhinged, bizarre motions of the jazz pianist as he performed on stage belied his __________, which earned him a reputation as an unorthodox yet highly skilled musician.
ineptitude
passion
virtuosity
felicity
serendipity
virtuosity
The sentence implies the pianist is an unusual performer with great skill in his instrument. Thus, "virtuosity" is the correct answer, as "virtuoso" is often used to describe a highly talented, elite musician.
Example Question #483 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Neuroscientists suggest there is a decline in neural __________ due to the natural aging process, leading to more rigidity and less alterations in the neural pathways.
coagulation
reciprocity
extinction
petrification
plasticity
plasticity
Studies suggest that due to aging, neural pathways become more rigid. Thus, they have less "plasticity," or pliancy.
Example Question #484 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The ballet company is composed of an elite ensemble of dancers that have gone through laborious training; the dancers are familiar with criticism, but rarely get __________ for their efforts.
approbation
censure
apotheosis
repercussions
partiality
approbation
Ballet dancers are under constant scrutiny but often don't receive praise for their work since criticism seems to be more prevalent in the ballet industry; therefore, they rarely get "approbation," or praise.
Example Question #485 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Although today it is widely accepted, Wegener's theory of contiental drift was hotly contested when it was first proposed, which made him a __________ in the scientific community of the time.
pariah
hero
debutante
firebrand
socialite
pariah
Wegener's theory was rejected when it was first proposed, and thus the scientific community must have not thought highly of it; therefore, "pariah," which means outcast, makes the most sense in this sentence.
Example Question #486 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Tara was an unwaveringly honest woman, and as such she never tolerated __________ among her employees.
veracity
dignity
mendacity
ferocity
solemnity
mendacity
Tara is supposedly a very honest woman, and therefore she would not likely put up with liars. Since "mendacity" means untruthfulness, it is the best choice for this sentence.
Example Question #487 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Despite constant __________, the incorrigible student did nothing to discontinue his unruly behavior and remained impenitent in terms of his actions.
epigrams
opprobrium
deference
guile
accolades
opprobrium
In terms of this student with horrendous behavior, he remains unreformed despite constant "opprobrium," or criticism.
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