GRE Verbal : Adjectives and Adverbs in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #891 : One Blank Texts
As English language speakers, we enjoy a luxury of a(n) __________ store of vocabulary, capable of conveying countless concepts with a wide variety in nuance.
unremarkable
sparing
comprehensive
mediocre
frugal
comprehensive
"Frugal" and "sparing" both mean lacking, but the point of this sentence is that English has a lot of different types of words, so these choices do not make sense. "Mediocre" and "unremarkable" mean average or ordinary, so also do not make sense since the sentence is about the vast capabilities of English expression. "Comprehensive," meaning extensive, is the best choice.
Example Question #892 : One Blank Texts
His __________ approach to life eventually caught up with him when he aged quickly.
disingenuous
irreproachable
intemperate
pragmatic
measured
intemperate
The sentence directly ties the subject's lifestyle, described by the missing word, to the fact that he "aged quickly." This means the correct answer will indicate that the subject's lifestyle was destructive or problematic. "Intemperate," meaning excessive or immoderate, is the best choice.
Example Question #893 : One Blank Texts
After her first break up, the teenager spent a month being __________ and never smiling.
effervescent
obstreperous
lugubrious
garrulous
ebullient
lugubrious
The sentence gives two clues to the missing word, both the "break up" and the teenager's "never smiling" after it. This means the correct answer will mean sad or depressive, the definition of "lugubrious."
Example Question #894 : One Blank Texts
He was __________ at the shocking news, and refused to talk for months afterward.
nonplussed
reproofed
unenthused
disinterested
exasperated
nonplussed
The subject's reaction to the news meant he "refused to talk for months afterward." This means the correct answer needs to carry an appropriate sense of bewilderment. "Nonplussed," meaning confused or completely shocked, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #895 : One Blank Texts
His __________ attempt at impressing his date with his magic skills ruined any chance he had at a second date.
adroit
fortuitous
nascent
nimble
artless
artless
The subject's magic tricks "ruined any chance he had at a second date." This means his date was not impressed with his magic, and it was highly unsuccessful. "Artless," meaning lacking in skill or clumsy, is the correct answer.
Example Question #896 : One Blank Texts
The ignorant utterances were shocking to hear from someone as __________ as the lawyer.
erudite
mundane
noisome
obsequious
boorish
erudite
"The ignorant utterances" are a "surprise" when coming from the lawyer, who is described by the missing word. The correct answer will therefore mean the opposite of "ignorant." "Erudite," meaning well learned or scholarly, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #897 : One Blank Texts
The usually cheerful girl became quite __________ after her grandmother's passing.
irksome
gregarious
plaintive
affable
excitable
plaintive
The structure of the sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with the girl's "usually cheerful" nature. The correct answer will be an antonym of "cheerful" in some manner. "Plaintive," meaning sad or mournful, is the best choice.
Example Question #898 : One Blank Texts
The Duchess of Devonshire Georgiana Spencer enjoyed an enormous amount of influence, with her fashions and political opinions often being __________ among the masses.
prevalent
spurned
disdained
disregarded
rebuffed
prevalent
If Georgiana Spencer's ideas were to be "rebuffed" or "spurned," that would indicate that they had been rejected by the greater populace. On the other hand, if her ideas were "disregarded," that would mean that they had been ignored. And had they been "disdained," her ideas would have been hated by most people. Thus "prevalent," meaning widespread, is the best choice.
Example Question #899 : One Blank Texts
Ebenezer Scrooge, the avaricious protagonist of Charles Dickens' A Christms Carol, commences the novel as an incredibly self-serving character, doing only what was __________ to his own financial interests.
disadvantageous
unhelpful
detrimental
beneficial
inimical
beneficial
Self-interested Scrooge would be doing things that were good for his financial interests, but "detrimental to," "disadvantageous to," "inimical to," and "unhelpful to" all mean bad for. "Beneficial" means advantageous and is definitely the best choice.
Example Question #941 : Text Completion
Trying to maximize the natural light in her room while still maintaining privacy, Susan chose her fabric curtain to be the most __________.
stifling
opaque
gossamer
impenetrable
gossamer
Gossamer—something extremely light, flimsy, or delicate.
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