GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #156 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
With the monument, the veterans' group hoped to __________ the battlefield in the memory of the wounded and fallen.
desecrate
impede
obviate
hallow
disinter
hallow
The sentence describes a "veterans' group" placing a memorial for "the wounded and fallen." The correct answer needs to indicate that the group is making the memorial a special place. "Hallow," meaning to worship or revere, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #157 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
A good appetizer will __________ a diner's appetite without ruining the meal.
obscure
confound
obliterate
pique
resolve
pique
The sentence describes a "good appetizer" as not "ruining the meal." This means an appetizer will enhance or help an appetite. "Pique," meaning to stimulate interest, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #158 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The shopkeeper was slowly __________ of his money by the protection racket of the gang leader.
engorged
milked
recompensed
recanted
overwhelmed
milked
The "shopkeeper" has his money affected by a "protection racket," or a scheme where a strongman takes money under threats of violence. The correct answer should indicate the shopkeeper is losing money through force or being pressured out of his money, which is the definition of "milked."
Example Question #159 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
After it was revealed he had so many scandals, his image was __________ beyond recovery.
enhanced
submerged
apposite
tarnished
dormant
tarnished
The sentence notes that the subject "had so many scandals," whose effect on "his image" is described by the missing word. The correct answer needs to indicate harm or hurt. "Tarnished," meaning made dull (as in brass), and here used metaphorically, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #160 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The discovery of the secret plans __________ the ability of the conspirators to pull them off.
compromised
simplified
comforted
facilitated
abetted
compromised
The "conspirators" now will have difficulty because of "the discovery of the secret plans." The correct answer should indicate complication and trouble. "Compromised," meaning damaged or placed in doubt, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #161 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
Many fellow writers were envious that he was __________ with such a gift for prose.
faltered
compromised
obviated
endowed
abused
endowed
The sentence describes that "writers were envious" of the subject's "gift for prose." This means the correct answer needs to mean given or provided, the definition of "endowed."
Example Question #551 : One Blank Texts
The young girl __________ when she tried to ask her mother for a raise in her allowance and ended up not asking.
faltered
strengthened
emboldened
resolved
equivocated.
faltered
The final phrase of the sentence notes the young girl "ended up not asking" for a raise in her allowance. This means the missing word has to indicate she decided not or was unable to ask. "Faltered," meaning hesitated or wavered, is the best chocie among the answers.
Example Question #552 : One Blank Texts
The couple disliked their friend's new girlfriend's tendency to _________ about a litany of stupid things.
prattle
falter
extemporize
waver
eschew
prattle
The sentence has one great clue to the best answer choice, that the "new girlfriend" tends to do the missing word about "a litany of stupid things." The correct answer needs to indicate she is also annoying to the couple. "Prattle," meaning to babble and talk in a mindless manner, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #553 : One Blank Texts
The teacher had a tendency to __________ about his subject, causing the students to become disengaged.
orate
charm
jest
fascinate
interrogate
orate
The teacher causes "the students to become disengaged," so the teacher's tendency needs to make the students not care. The correct answer needs to indicate both something boring and without student input. "Orate," meaning to talk in a pompous and overblown manner, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #554 : One Blank Texts
The teenager ate all his food quickly, and rarely took time to __________ his food.
discard
diverge
savor
flaunt
discount
savor
The sentence notes the teenager "ate all his food quickly," which meant he did not do the missing word. This means the correct answer should indicate slowing down to eat. "Savor," meaning to enjoy or relish, is the best choice among the answers.
All GRE Verbal Resources
