GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #32 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The man was paranoid about fires, and always noticed the closest _____________ he could find anywhere he was.
gratis
receptacle
portent
egress
paragon
egress
The man's paranoia about fires means he would find a way to deal with a fire everywhere. The correct answer will describe a method to handle a fire. "Egress," meaning an exit, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #101 : Text Completion
The media quickly developed a _____________ on the case, and all news outlets began reporting the same story.
recantation
consensus
bulwark
splintering
substantiation
consensus
The sentence outright states the media outlets were "reporting the same story." The correct answer will indicate the media was telling the same story. "Consensus," meaning a general or widespread agreement, is the best fit.
Example Question #63 : One Blank Texts
The man was such a slob, his car's backseat had become a _________________ for all kinds of trash.
portent
hiatus
polemic
neologism
receptacle
receptacle
The trash had essentially found a permanent home in the man's backseat, and the correct answer will indicate that. "Receptacle," meaning container or vessel, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #64 : One Blank Texts
The award was given for his work as a ________________, and recognized his fight for voting rights.
adversary
autocrat
supplicant
suffragist
buccaneer
suffragist
The sentence itself says the award winner had a "fight for voting rights." A "suffragist" is someone who fights for the right to vote, and it is the correct answer.
Example Question #61 : One Blank Texts
The new hire was excited about her job, and took to it with _____________.
indifference
egregiousness
antipathy
recalcitrance
alacrity
alacrity
The best clue to find the correct answer is the word "excited." The best choice will be a further illustration of the new hire's excitement. "Alacrity," meaning quickness or eagerness, is the correct answer.
Example Question #102 : Text Completion
Victorian social mores were so stringent, body parts were never named, but had discreet ________________.
iconoclasms
eulogies
examinations
euphemisms
redundancies
euphemisms
The sentence outright states "body were never named," and the correct answer should indicate a cover up or misnaming. "Euphemisms," meaning a polite phrase used as a stand in for an impolite one, is the best choice.
Example Question #43 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The professor never revealed his grading system, preferring students to view it as a kind of _______________.
portent
pragmatism
alibi
algorithm
alchemy
alchemy
The professor is keeping his grading process a mystery. "Alchemy," a form of medievel chemistry that is often used metaphorically to mean mystery or magic, is the correct answer.
Example Question #44 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The Senator was a well known _________________, with an unusual and unpredictable voting record.
charlatan
paragon
transgressive
iconoclast
libertarian
iconoclast
The Senator's "unusual and unpredictable voting record" is the best clue to finding the correct answer. The best fit will indicate the Senatory's unique habits. "Iconoclast," meaning someone who goes against standard thinking, is the correct answer.
Example Question #45 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The young associate had a peculiar tendency toward _______________ at the most serious moments.
pragmatism
intractability
irascibility
levity
obtuseness
levity
The structure of the sentence places "serious moments" at odds with the missing word. The correct answer will need to be an antonym of "serious." "Levity," meaning lightness or flippancy, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #46 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
It quickly became apparent she had no ________________ for the night of the crime.
alibi
receptacle
alchemy
precipice
precinct
alibi
The key phrase in the sentence is "for the night of the crime," and the correct answer will have to do in some way with crime. "Alibi," a term for a verifiable claim of not being at a crime scene, is the correct answer.
All GRE Verbal Resources
