All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #307 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
After months of one-sided fighting, the government regained __________ over formerly rebel held territory.
derision
dormancy
indifference
hegemony
atrophy
hegemony
The sentence describes the missing word developing "after months of one sided fighting." This means the government was dominating the "formerly held rebel territory." "Hegemony," meaning complete authority and domination, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #308 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
His extreme __________ made him lose once close allies with every deceitful action.
propensity
improbity
integrity
intransigence
irreproachability
improbity
The sentence explicitly refers to the subject's "every deceitful action." The missing word has to match up with this deceit. "Improbity," meaning a lack of integrity and honesty, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #309 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
He had unnecessary __________ about the extremely safe and routine procedure.
fulminations
qualms
wags
pundits
drosses
qualms
The sentence describes the procedure as "extremely safe and routine;" nonetheless, the subject of the sentence still has the missing word about it. "Qualms," meaning hesitations or fears, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #310 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The general was always convinced of his actions and never revealed a __________ of doubt about his plans.
privation
dearth
complacence
modicum
lacuna
modicum
The sentence describes the general as "always convinced of his actions," meaning that the general rarely showed doubt. The correct answer needs to indicate this general avoidance of doubt. "Modicum," meaning a very small amount, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #311 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The old lights caused a consistent __________ in the room that drowned out low noises.
drone
waffle
temperance
pith
prattle
drone
The missing word has "drowned out low noises." This indicates the missing word means a consistent and annoying sound, the very definition of "drone," which is the correct answer.
Example Question #311 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The teacher's lectures tended to __________ instead of delving into the grand ideas of history.
auspiciousness
esoterica
dissonance
dynamics
discretion
esoterica
Many words could fit in the sentence, but the best one needs to be found. The sentence contrasts the missing word with "the grand ideas of history." "Esoterica," meaning obscure details and trivia, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #312 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The use of __________ in a traditionally straightforward genre caused a shock to the music's listeners.
stability
syncopation
discretion
orthodoxy
pretension
syncopation
The sentence says the missing word "caused a shock" in something that is "straightforward." The correct answer will mean off center or unexpected. "Syncopation," meaning an intentionally off beat rhythm, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #313 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
While he considered his views as simply being traditional, many of his colleagues thought he was a __________.
chauvinist
paragon
stickler
conscript
drone
chauvinist
The sentence contrasts the subject's own take on his views as "traditional," with a slightly more negative take from his colleagues. That means the colleagues' view will be a harsh take on "traditional views." "Chauvinist," meaning a bigot or sexist, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #314 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
His obsession with proper grammar gained him a reputation as a __________ among his employees.
quack
conscript
pundit
stickler
coward
stickler
The subject's "obsession with proper grammar" is what gained him the reputation described by the missing word. The correct answer needs to reflect that he is obsessive. "Stickler," meaning someone who is strict about rules and details, is the best choice among the answer.
Example Question #315 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The magazine was so full of __________ that it turned off most of its potential readers.
affability
temperance
clarity
pretension
quality
pretension
The magazine "turned off most of its potential readers," indicating it was quite terrible or unseemly. The correct answer must have an appropriate negative connotation. "Pretension," meaning an attitude of superiority or arrogance, is the only answer choice with such a negative tone.