GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1971 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The ___________ notebook, purchased at the dollar store and looking noticeably cheap, was a prime target for the _____________ mom who bought all items at a discount regardless of appearance.
terrible . . . tacky
hip . . . hurried
tawdry . . . frugal
sunny . . . sad
secretive . . . salacious
tawdry . . . frugal
"Tawdry", meaning cheap looking, works because it describes the cheap look for the notebook that came from a dollar store. "Frugal" works because it describes the mom who seeks out cheap things.
Example Question #1972 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The _______________ room, sucked of all moisture, made the young infant quite _________________, leading his mom to install a humidifier to keep him appeased.
desiccated . . . uncomfortable
cold . . . ebullient
psychotic . . . prurient
calming . . . soothsaying
hot . . . sure
desiccated . . . uncomfortable
"Desiccated" works because it describes an environment completely without moisture; "uncomfortable" works because it describes the infant who needed appeasing.
Example Question #1973 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The _______________ teens, who spent much of their time engaging in lewd talk, finally had an outlet to discuss these matters appropriately in their ____________ physical education class, which just started this year.
quaint . . . gruff
prurient . . . nascent
scruffy . . . enchanting
egregious . . . frightening
lively . . . soft
prurient . . . nascent
"Prurient", meaning interested in sexual matters, works here because the teens are engaged in lewd talk. "Nascent", meaning new, works here because the physical education class just started this year.
Example Question #1974 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The _________________ birds, singing the sweetest songs, were muted by the ______________ cat, who stalked and ate them one by one.
sly . . . trippy
bright . . . ungrateful
green . . . tricky
mellifluous . . . hungry
dull . . . tired
mellifluous . . . hungry
"Mellifluous", meaning sweet and melodious, works because it describes the singing birds. "Hungry" works as it provides reason for the cat eating the birds.
Example Question #1975 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The ________________ babysitter, known for her crazy temper, was not well suited to take care of the ________________ children who never calmed down
surly . . . pleasant
unctuous . . . jubilant
crafty . . . careful
fiery . . . rambunctious
cunning . . . insulting
fiery . . . rambunctious
"Fiery" works because it describes the short temper of the babysitter. "Rambunctious" works because it describes children who never calm down.
Example Question #1976 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Trying to stop the ___________________ dog, foaming at the mouth, the _______________ veterinarian, fearful due to never having dealt with crazy animals, injected him with tranquilizer as a last resort.
strong . . . freezing
rabid . . . frightened
enlivening . . . punchy
iron . . . easy
cheesy . . . loose
rabid . . . frightened
"Rabid" works as an adjective because it provides a reason for why the dog would be foaming at the mouth. "Frightened" works as a descriptor for the veterinarian, as the following phrase alludes to his fear.
Example Question #1977 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The ____________ youth, in and out of jail, finally received an ______________ after one of his friends was put in prison for life, and now has his life on track.
selfish . . . present
drowsy . . . mite
ungrateful . . . determination
frisky . . . heartache
troubled . . . awakening
troubled . . . awakening
"Troubled" works as an adjective for the youth, who has been to jail many times and seems to have problems. "Awakening" describes the change the youth experienced after his friend went to prison, and the subsequent turn around he experienced in his life.
Example Question #1978 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The _________________ witch, appearing elegantly on the coastline and not hinting at her danger, bewitched the _______________ sailors (who simply thought her to be a young maiden) into doing her bidding.
oscillating . . . mild
young . . . devilish
flatlined . . . curious
respectable . . . obvious
enchanting . . . unsuspecting
enchanting . . . unsuspecting
"Enchanting" works because it matches the description of the witches' elegance from the following sentence. "Unsuspecting" works because it describes the sailors, who didn't know the witch was dangerous.
Example Question #1979 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The ______________ speakeasy, appearing to be one million years old, was frequented by people with sensibilities just as _______________.
trusting . . . egregious
ancient . . . antediluvian
modern . . . creepy
awkward . . . pointed
sleepy . . . wandering
ancient . . . antediluvian
"Ancient" works as a descriptor, as the speakeasy is defined as appearing one million years old. "Antediluvian" is a synonym for "ancient," so it works in this context, as the sentence establishes sensibilities and the speakeasy as parallel.
Example Question #1980 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The _____________ lyrics to the song, so inoffensive even the youngest of children could listen, still managed to offend the ________________ old woman, always upset and looking for reasons to stay that way.
harsh . . . horrible
anodyne . . . crotchety
servile . . . masculine
explicit . . . foul
fledgling . . . piquant
anodyne . . . crotchety
"Anodyne", meaning actively inoffensive, works because it describes the song. "Crotchety" works here because it describes the old woman who is perpetually upset.
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