Adjectives and Adverbs in One-Blank Texts - GRE Verbal
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Her __________ younger brother would follow behind her and do anything she asked.
Her __________ younger brother would follow behind her and do anything she asked.
The brother would "do anything she asked." This means he was obedient to his sister, and the correct answer will reflect this. "Servile," meaning overly submissive or groveling, is the correct answer.
The brother would "do anything she asked." This means he was obedient to his sister, and the correct answer will reflect this. "Servile," meaning overly submissive or groveling, is the correct answer.
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He was notably __________ about his job, and his boss thought he wanted to be fired.
He was notably __________ about his job, and his boss thought he wanted to be fired.
The fact "his boss thought he wanted to be fired" means he is not doing his job well. The correct answer will show his poor performance and attitude. "Apathetic," meaning indifferent or uninterested, is the best choice.
The fact "his boss thought he wanted to be fired" means he is not doing his job well. The correct answer will show his poor performance and attitude. "Apathetic," meaning indifferent or uninterested, is the best choice.
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His delay was __________, as it meant he missed seeing the accident firsthand.
His delay was __________, as it meant he missed seeing the accident firsthand.
Missing "seeing the accident firsthand" is a good thing. This means the subject's delay was a positive development. "Fortuitous," meaning lucky or fortunate, is the correct answer.
Missing "seeing the accident firsthand" is a good thing. This means the subject's delay was a positive development. "Fortuitous," meaning lucky or fortunate, is the correct answer.
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The poet considered true love __________, and pointedly refused to write about it.
The poet considered true love __________, and pointedly refused to write about it.
If the poet "refused to write about it," then it can safely be assumed the poet finds it difficult to write about. The correct answer must explain why it is difficult to write about. "Ineffable," meaning hard to put into words, is the best choice.
If the poet "refused to write about it," then it can safely be assumed the poet finds it difficult to write about. The correct answer must explain why it is difficult to write about. "Ineffable," meaning hard to put into words, is the best choice.
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The creature was baffling to zoologists, who did not know it was a __________, because they could not see its pouch.
The creature was baffling to zoologists, who did not know it was a __________, because they could not see its pouch.
The sentence notes the "creature" had a "pouch," which makes finding the correct answer fairly straightforward. A "marsupial" is a mammal with a pouch to carry its young.
The sentence notes the "creature" had a "pouch," which makes finding the correct answer fairly straightforward. A "marsupial" is a mammal with a pouch to carry its young.
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The congressman was accused of being __________ and never caring what happened in his colleagues' districts.
The congressman was accused of being __________ and never caring what happened in his colleagues' districts.
The congressman's lack of concern for "his colleagues' districts" indicates his interest only in matters that concern his district. "Parochial," meaning narrow minded or obsessed with local concerns, is the best fit.
The congressman's lack of concern for "his colleagues' districts" indicates his interest only in matters that concern his district. "Parochial," meaning narrow minded or obsessed with local concerns, is the best fit.
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She was highly __________ of her sister's boasts, and demanded proof of her achievements.
She was highly __________ of her sister's boasts, and demanded proof of her achievements.
Having "demanded proof" of the boasts, it is clear the subject does not believe her sister. The correct answer should mean doubting or disbelieving, the definition of skeptical.
Having "demanded proof" of the boasts, it is clear the subject does not believe her sister. The correct answer should mean doubting or disbelieving, the definition of skeptical.
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Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
He hated unnecessary aesthetic details, so his furniture was strictly __________.
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
He hated unnecessary aesthetic details, so his furniture was strictly __________.
The subject avoids "unnecessary aesthetic details," so his furniture follows this pattern. The correct answer must indicate simplicity or a lack of finery. "Utilitarian," meaning useful and functional, is the best choice.
The subject avoids "unnecessary aesthetic details," so his furniture follows this pattern. The correct answer must indicate simplicity or a lack of finery. "Utilitarian," meaning useful and functional, is the best choice.
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The gangster took __________ routes to his destinations to make it harder on his enemies to track him.
The gangster took __________ routes to his destinations to make it harder on his enemies to track him.
The gangster is trying "to make it harder" to be tracked, which means his routes will be hard to follow. The correct answer must mean indirect or roundabout, the definition of "circuitous."
The gangster is trying "to make it harder" to be tracked, which means his routes will be hard to follow. The correct answer must mean indirect or roundabout, the definition of "circuitous."
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He was so __________ in the kitchen, he could hardly chop vegetables.
He was so __________ in the kitchen, he could hardly chop vegetables.
As "he could hardly chop vegetables," his skill in the kitchen is obviously severely limited. The correct answer needs to mean unskilled or incompetent, the definition of "inept."
As "he could hardly chop vegetables," his skill in the kitchen is obviously severely limited. The correct answer needs to mean unskilled or incompetent, the definition of "inept."
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The politician played up a __________ image, but was actually born into considerable wealth.
The politician played up a __________ image, but was actually born into considerable wealth.
The politician has "played up" an image at odds with being "born into considerable wealth." The correct answer needs to mean not wealthy, or even poor. "Proletarian," meaning of the working class, is the best choice.
The politician has "played up" an image at odds with being "born into considerable wealth." The correct answer needs to mean not wealthy, or even poor. "Proletarian," meaning of the working class, is the best choice.
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The story's many unrealistic elements led scholars to believe it was __________.
The story's many unrealistic elements led scholars to believe it was __________.
Because the story contains "unrealistic elements," it can safely be assumed that the stories are false or incorrect. The correct answer will indicate some level of inaccuracy. "Apocryphal," meaning of doubtful origin or legendary, is the correct answer.
Because the story contains "unrealistic elements," it can safely be assumed that the stories are false or incorrect. The correct answer will indicate some level of inaccuracy. "Apocryphal," meaning of doubtful origin or legendary, is the correct answer.
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The king was notably __________, and often gave contradictory orders.
The king was notably __________, and often gave contradictory orders.
The king is giving "contradictory orders," which means the correct answer will indicate a sense of confusion or chaos. "Fickle," meaning unpredictable or easily swayed, is the best choice.
The king is giving "contradictory orders," which means the correct answer will indicate a sense of confusion or chaos. "Fickle," meaning unpredictable or easily swayed, is the best choice.
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The songwriter was astonishingly __________, and she composed many more songs than her contemporaries.
The songwriter was astonishingly __________, and she composed many more songs than her contemporaries.
The songwriter "composed many more songs," meaning she had a great quantity songs. The correct answer needs to mean producing a large amount, the definition of "prolific."
The songwriter "composed many more songs," meaning she had a great quantity songs. The correct answer needs to mean producing a large amount, the definition of "prolific."
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Many people believe political dysfunction is __________, as once any politician is elected corruption necessarily follows.
Many people believe political dysfunction is __________, as once any politician is elected corruption necessarily follows.
If "corruption follows" "any politician" when elected, then dysfunction will happen no matter what. The correct answer needs to demonstrate this consistency. "Inevitable," meaning unavoidable or bound to happen, is the best choice.
If "corruption follows" "any politician" when elected, then dysfunction will happen no matter what. The correct answer needs to demonstrate this consistency. "Inevitable," meaning unavoidable or bound to happen, is the best choice.
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Very few European cultures were __________, as men were firmly in control of politics, economics, and religion.
Very few European cultures were __________, as men were firmly in control of politics, economics, and religion.
Men being "in control" is used in reference as the opposite of the missing word, as "very few" cultures fit the description. The correct answer must mean governed by women, the definition of "matriarchal."
Men being "in control" is used in reference as the opposite of the missing word, as "very few" cultures fit the description. The correct answer must mean governed by women, the definition of "matriarchal."
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The old man was __________ enough never to buy anything new or at full price.
The old man was __________ enough never to buy anything new or at full price.
If a man will "never buy anything new or at full price," he is watching his spending habits closely. The correct answer will indicate his careful approach to financial matters. "Parsimonious," meaning frugal or thrifty, is the best choice.
If a man will "never buy anything new or at full price," he is watching his spending habits closely. The correct answer will indicate his careful approach to financial matters. "Parsimonious," meaning frugal or thrifty, is the best choice.
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The __________ argument was immediately rebutted with a much more substantive one.
The __________ argument was immediately rebutted with a much more substantive one.
The argument described by the missing word is contrasted with "a much more substantive one." The correct answer will mean empty or meaningless, the definition of "vacuous."
The argument described by the missing word is contrasted with "a much more substantive one." The correct answer will mean empty or meaningless, the definition of "vacuous."
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The employees were __________ about asking their boss for anything because of his volatile temper.
The employees were __________ about asking their boss for anything because of his volatile temper.
Since the boss had a "volatile temper," asking him for things would be difficult. The correct answer will show the employees approached their boss with that difficulty in mind. "Apprehensive," meaning worried and fearful, is the best choice.
Since the boss had a "volatile temper," asking him for things would be difficult. The correct answer will show the employees approached their boss with that difficulty in mind. "Apprehensive," meaning worried and fearful, is the best choice.
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In a new environment, people usually become __________ and gauge everyone around them before acting.
In a new environment, people usually become __________ and gauge everyone around them before acting.
To "gauge everyone" before taking action means that the missing word needs to indicate people judge their situation carefully. The correct answer will mean cautious or suspicious, the definition of "circumspect."
To "gauge everyone" before taking action means that the missing word needs to indicate people judge their situation carefully. The correct answer will mean cautious or suspicious, the definition of "circumspect."
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