GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #26 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The girl's love of dogs ______________ until her parents had no choice but to buy her a puppy.
strutted
waxed
jaded
goaded
waived
waxed
The parents' feeling that they had to buy a puppy indicates the "girl's love of dogs" was strong. The correct answer will indicate the growth or strength of that love. "Waxed," meaning to grow or increase, is the best choice.
Example Question #27 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The self-centered girl did not understand that being _____________ by potential boyfriends was a problem many of her peers envied.
beleaguered
belied
petrified
begrudged
negated
beleaguered
The fact the girl's "problem" is desired by others means she was receiving attention from "potential boyfriends." The correct answer will infer this and keep the sarcastic tone of the sentence. "Beleaguered," meaning annoyed or badgered, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #28 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The ship was _______________ in the typical naval manner, with the captain smashing a champagne bottle across its bow.
broached
consecrated
recanted
eulogized
congealed
consecrated
The sentence indicates the action was a "typical naval" ceremony. The appropriate word will indicate both the ceremony and the official, traditional nature of it. "Consecrated," meaning dedicated or inaugurated, is the correct answer.
Example Question #29 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The general attempted to _____________ his opponent's numerical advantage with a better defensive position.
approve
negate
enforce
advocate
obviate
negate
The general is trying to overcome the advantage his opponent brings to the battlefield. The correct answer will be a word that indicates he is trying to change the circumstances. "Negate," meaning to cancel or deny, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #30 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The college students were ______________ by a speeding ticket on their trip to Florida.
waylaid
belied
condoned
degraded
waived
waylaid
The "trip to Florida" indicates the students were headed somewhere, and the correct answer will show they were delayed. "Waylaid," meaning to hinder or derail, is the best choice.
Example Question #401 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
He would often complement his lengthy academic texts with shorter books that _____________ the same arguments.
recanted
congealed
subverted
discombobulated
recapitulated
recapitulated
The sentence indicates that the "shorter books" said the "same arguments" as the larger ones. The correct answer will then mean to restate or summarize, which is the definition of "recapitulated."
Example Question #402 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Her awkward walk ________________ a grace that was present in her ballet dancing.
reproved
belied
portended
ascertained
implied
belied
The dancer's "awkward walk" is contrasted with her grace while dancing through the missing word. The correct word will indicate the surprising nature of her dancing ability. "Belied," meaning contradicted or misrepresented, is the best choice.
Example Question #403 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
After being left out in the snow, the glove had ________________ into a rock hard lump.
hydrated
elucidated
petrified
defoliated
congealed
petrified
The phrase "rock hard lump" is the best clue to the answer. The best choice needs to indicate the glove becoming that "rock hard lump." "Petrified," meaning turned into stone or a stone like substance, is the correct answer.
Example Question #34 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
He frequently criticized his children, _______________ them for minor flaws.
befuddling
beleaguering
belittling
beknighting
bemusing
belittling
The sentence parallels "criticized" and the correct answer, making them synonyms. Of all the answer choices, "belittling" is the only synonym of "criticized."
Example Question #404 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The guitarist could not help but __________ the collection of fancy instruments.
ordain
ogle
disdain
goad
transgress
ogle
A guitarist will appreciate a "collection of fancy instruments." The correct answer will indicate the guitarists admiration and appreciation of the collection. "Ogle," meaning to stare or obviously look at, is the best choice.
All GRE Verbal Resources
