GRE Verbal : Two-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #1838 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The hearty meal ________________ the hungry teen boys, who were also _____________ because they just ran around without drinking any water.

Possible Answers:

tired . . . bright

perplexed . . . inundated

annoyed . . . soft

satiated . . . famished

stopped . . . alive

Correct answer:

satiated . . . famished

Explanation:

"Satiated" is the proper response because it refers to the action that a big meal gives to hungry boys--making them full. The word "famished" refers to their not having had much water recently.

Example Question #1839 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Subject to extreme fines, the jaywalker immediately _____________ to the sidewalk to avoid the glances of the _____________ police, desperate to hand out tickets

Possible Answers:

eased . . . loving

sat . . . mad

sashayed . . . innervated

bolted . . . dogged

rolled . . . tired

Correct answer:

bolted . . . dogged

Explanation:

"Bolted" is suggested by the fines that the jaywalker would incur and the desire to avoid them. "Dogged" refers to the effort of the desperate police trying to give out tickets

Example Question #331 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

"Do not do that!" yelled the angry mother, who proceeded to _____________ her child for acting _____________ to the nice cashier

Possible Answers:

worship . . . loudly

scold . . . kindly

praise . . . solemnly

admonish . . . rudely

applaud . . . secretly

Correct answer:

admonish . . . rudely

Explanation:

"Admonish" is one of the only choices that makes sense, along with "scold", echoing the sentiment from the harsh words at the beginning of the sentence. "Rudely" solidifies "admonish" as the only choice, as "kindly" does not fit

Example Question #332 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The band's outfit choice was ______________ by the media for its fresh, innovative appeal, while their _____________ songs, released yesterday, were bashed

Possible Answers:

praised . . . latest

upbraided . . . fiery

snubbed . . . halcyon

negated . . . blue

encouraged . . . welcome

Correct answer:

praised . . . latest

Explanation:

The word "praised" makes sense because it matches the positive descriptors of the outfit that follows later in the sentence; "latest" makes sense as an adjective because the next phrase, "released yesterday" gives evidence of the recent nature of the songs

Example Question #333 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Stopping at the traffic light, the _____________ old woman, frustrated by the traffic, rolled down her window and ______________ the young driver for his loud music.

Possible Answers:

basic . . . undermined

odious . . . applauded

violent . . . laughed

cantankerous . . . berated

calm . . . roared

Correct answer:

cantankerous . . . berated

Explanation:

The modifier "cantankerous" applies to the woman's demeanor, with "frustration" providing a clue. The word "berated" works due to context--none of the other verbs are transitive and can operate without a conjunction besides this option and "undermined", which doesn't make sense.

Example Question #334 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Seldom does the ___________ woman say nice things-most people expect only meanness-but today, she _____________ the community into her home and apologized for her previous unkindness.

Possible Answers:

mellifluous . . . maligned

shocking . . . braided

pleasant . . . excused

churlish . . . welcomed

flat . . . glanced

Correct answer:

churlish . . . welcomed

Explanation:

"Churlish" describes the demeanor of the woman who only does unkind things. "Welcomed" is the only verb that works to describe the bringing together of the community.

Example Question #1845 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The _____________ woman, not phased by anything, took a running leap at the tiger, who similarly _______________ no mortal.

Possible Answers:

pleasant . . . worshiped

sly . . . ornery 

brave . . . feared

frightened . . . loved

whipped . . . disregard

Correct answer:

brave . . . feared

Explanation:

"Brave" works because it frames the actions of the woman running towards a tiger; "feared" works as well, because it is set up in the sentence as the emotion that both the tiger and the woman are both supposed to lack.

Example Question #335 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Though the title of the play would elicit anything but a(n) ____________ psychological reaction, the performance itself _____________ the minds of every audience member.

Possible Answers:

intimate . . . jaded

conventional . . . bewildered

instinctual . . . burnished

visceral . . . addled

pedestrian . . . disconcerted 

Correct answer:

visceral . . . addled

Explanation:

Note that the first part of the sentence presents us with a double shift, indicated by “though” and “anything but.” Thus, both parts of the sentence are more or less equivalent. “Jaded” means to make weary or dull. “Visceral” refers to an intuitive feeling involving base emotions. To “addle” means to confuse. “Visceral . . . addled” is our answer.

Example Question #336 : Parts Of Speech In Two Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

She was ______________ to ______________ his request, seeing as how he had dominated the conversation the last time she had consented to meet with him.

Possible Answers:

eager . . . accede

disinclined . . . veto

averse . . . spurn

keen . . . consent

loath . . . acquiesce

Correct answer:

loath . . . acquiesce

Explanation:

Since he had dominated their last conversation, it seems unlikely that she would be “eager” or “keen” to meet with him. Do not confuse “loath” with “loathe;” loath means to be reluctant. “Acquiesce” means to agree to something. These two form the correct answer.

Example Question #1848 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The ______________ murderer was eventually caught, and after a lengthy trial, he was _____________ of all charges. 

Possible Answers:

convicted . . . absolved

remorseful . . . exonerated

alleged . . . acquitted

apparent . . . expurgated

reputed . . . impugned

Correct answer:

alleged . . . acquitted

Explanation:

“Impugn” means to call into question something false or wrong. “Expurgate” means to censor. Since it wouldn’t make sense for a guilty murderer to be “absolved” or “exonerated,” these two can be eliminated. This leaves us with “alleged . . . acquitted” as the correct answer.

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