GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #431 : One Blank Texts
The archaeologist was most well known for _________________ a theory on human development with which no other scholars agreed.
suppressing
postulating
exemplifying
substantiating
recapitulating
postulating
Many of the answer choices could fit the sentence, but one choice will fit best. The theory is one "with which no other scholars agreed," which means it is controversial and unproven. "Postulating," meaning hypothesize or propose, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #432 : One Blank Texts
The young man decided to ______________ his resumé by interning at a prestigious company.
undermine
downplay
execrable
burnish
waylay
burnish
The "prestigious company" gives a clue that the young man wishes to improve the status of his resumé. "Burnish," meaning to polish or bolster, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #433 : One Blank Texts
The committee always ______________ a great deal, never deciding anything quickly.
recanted
immoderated
denuded
deliberated
exemplified
deliberated
"Never deciding anything quickly" is the key phrase in the sentence. The correct answer will indicate the slowness of the committee. "Deliberated," meaning to think over carefully and slowly, is the best choice.
Example Question #434 : One Blank Texts
The politician always wanted statistics to ________________ the claims he made in his speeches.
bulwark
transgress
buttress
counteract
retract
buttress
The politician is concerned about the claims in his speech, and would want to support them with statistics. The correct answer will mean to strengthen or back up, which is the definition of "buttress."
Example Question #435 : One Blank Texts
After the scandal, members ______________ the party in large numbers and left it a shell of its former self.
enhanced
allayed
prorogued
cajoled
evacuated
evacuated
The phrase "a shell of its former self" indicates the party shrunk in size. The correct answer will indicate the movement of the members out of the party. "Evacuate," meaning to vacate or empty, is the best choice.
Example Question #436 : One Blank Texts
She often overthought things, _________________ on decisions for months.
ruminating
illuminating
calcifying
postulating
indemnifying
ruminating
A few of the choices could fit the sentence, so the best fit must be found. The sentence says she "overthought . . . for months," and the best answer will reflect that deep thought. "Ruminating," meaning to ponder or reflect, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #437 : One Blank Texts
Writing closed captioning for live events is difficult, as _______________ every word is nearly impossible.
pontificating
interpreting
excoriating
obfuscating
transcribing
transcribing
THe phrase "writing closed captioning" is the best clue to the answer. The best choice will indicate writing in some manner. "Transcribing," meaning to copy or take down, is the correct answer.
Example Question #438 : One Blank Texts
The instructor used his last class to ______________ any nerves students had about their driving test.
accost
waylay
condone
efface
allay
allay
The instructor wants the students to do well on their test. With this in mind, the correct answer will indicate some sense of help with their nerves. "Allay," meaning to lessen, is the best choice.
Example Question #479 : Text Completion
His lack of self-confidence tended to ____________ his poor athletic gifts.
portend
exacerbate
efface
explode
petrify
exacerbate
The "poor athletic gifts" would be harmed by a "lack of self-confidence." The correct answer will indicate the poor effect. "Exacerbate," meaning to make worse, is the best choice.
Example Question #439 : One Blank Texts
The boy was a natural rebel, seeking to ______________ any rules or boundaries given to him.
congeal
embrace
condone
transgress
perpetuate
transgress
The boy being a "natural rebel" provides the best clue to the answer. A rebel violates rules, and the correct answer will show that. "Transgress," meaning to violate or disobey, is the best answer.
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