GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #267 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The chef was a __________ and refused to add any inauthentic ingredients.

Possible Answers:

hack

daring

fraud

progressive

purist

Correct answer:

purist

Explanation:

The sentence explains that the chef "refused to allow any inauthentic ingredients." The correct answer needs to properly explain the chef's serious position on ingredients. "Purist," meaning someone who insists on precise and correct forms and processes, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #268 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

Although the doctor seriously believed in the unusual formula, most of his colleagues thought he was a __________.

Possible Answers:

quarry

purist

vagrant

quack

dupe

Correct answer:

quack

Explanation:

The subject actually believes in "the unusual formula," but the sentence makes clear that this opinion is not shared by "most of his colleagues." This indicates there was something odd or strange about the subject of the sentence. "Quack," meaning a fake or a charlatan, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #269 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

During her childhood, her unusual features caused a good deal of __________ from unkind classmates

Possible Answers:

taunting

toadying

encouragement

lauding

disregarding

Correct answer:

taunting

Explanation:

The sentence describes what "unkind classmates" did to a girl with "unusual features." The correct answer will indicate both the meanness of her classmates, and the way the subject was singled out. "Taunting," meaning teasing or mocking, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #270 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The small amount of angry letters became a virtual __________ after the second airing of the controversial program.

Possible Answers:

seepage

minutia

drivel

esoterica

barrage

Correct answer:

barrage

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts the "small amount of angry letters" to the missing word. The correct answer, therefore, needs to indicate a large amount or at the least not small. "Barrage," meaning a deluge or extended gunfire, and used somewhat metaphorically, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #271 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The man's once harmless obsession quickly veered into a full blown __________.

Possible Answers:

nadir

trifle

placebo

insomnia

psychosis

Correct answer:

psychosis

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts the missing word with the man's "once harmless obsession." The correct answer needs to mean something problematic mentally, but much stronger. "Psychosis," meaning a severe mental disturbance, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #272 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

Wanting to present himself as a __________, the boy began wearing rebellious and politically-charged clothing.

Possible Answers:

dissident

conformist

personification

paragon

quack

Correct answer:

dissident

Explanation:

The key words in the sentence are "rebellious and politically-charged clothing." This means the correct answer has to show the teenager is hoping to look like he is being difficult or politically different. "Dissident,"meaning someone who is a noncomformist or rebel, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #336 : Text Completion

The pronounced __________ of the samples indicated there was little diversity in the soil.

Possible Answers:

heterodoxy

terminality

orthodoxy

homogeneity

plausibility

Correct answer:

homogeneity

Explanation:

The sentence explains that the soil has "little diversity." This means the correct answer has to indicate a sameness or uniformity, which is the definition of "homogeneity."

Example Question #273 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

With his face paint, replica jersey, and team merchandise, the young man was the __________ of a diehard fan.

Possible Answers:

amortization

restoration

iconoclasm

personification

indemnification

Correct answer:

personification

Explanation:

The sentence both calls the young man a "diehard fan," and notes all the things that indicate this. The correct answer needs to enhance this sense of the man's fanhood. "Personification," meaning the perfect embodiment of an idea or concept, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #274 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The __________ of the story diminished over time, as she added more non factual details to the narrative.

Possible Answers:

ridiculousness

absurdity

extraordinariness

plausibility

superfluousness

Correct answer:

plausibility

Explanation:

The storyteller keeps adding "non factual details to the narrative." This indicates she is decreasing the story's believability or acceptability, the definition of "plausibility," which is the correct answer.

Example Question #275 : Nouns In One Blank Texts

The boxer's greatest attribute was his __________, as he almost never got punched out or beat down.

Possible Answers:

equivocation

fragility

resilience

delicacy

wariness

Correct answer:

resilience

Explanation:

The sentence actually describes the missing word as meaning the boxer "never got punched out or beat down." This means the correct answer has to indicate toughness or strength. "Resilience," meaning perseverance or an ability to come back, is the best choice among the answers.

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