GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #861 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
The minister seemed so humble and pious that the parishioners were shocked when he __________ with the chapel coffer.
blasphemed
absconded
abandoned
atrophied
plundered
absconded
In this sentence, the parishioners' shock hints at a contradiction between the minister's seeming humility and his subsequent action. Noting that "coffer" refers to a collection of valuables, you might infer that the minister somehow robbed the church. "Plundered" would make sense, except for the word "with" following the blank (one might "plunder with" a sword, but not with a chapel coffer); therefore "absconded" is the best option in this case.
Example Question #613 : Text Completion
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
averred
defended
denied
prevaricated
hypothesized
averred
Example Question #614 : Text Completion
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
invokes
implies
evinces
aggregates
infers
implies
Example Question #615 : Text Completion
If he had the time, he preferred to __________ instead of taking the most direct route.
flaunt
burrow
lope
charge
meander
meander
The sentence says he does not take "the most direct route." This means he was going a winding way, which the correct answer should reflect. "Meander," meaning to wander around, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #616 : Text Completion
Although the president's speech was intended to calm the protest, it actually __________ the protester's anger.
ameliorated
pacified
relaxed
compensated
stoked
stoked
The construction of the sentence contrasts the missing word with the president's intent "to calm." This indicates the correct answer will be an antonym of calming. "Stoked," meaning fueled or enhanced, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #183 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
Due to his simple nature, he was frequently __________ by underhanded schemes.
duped
stoked
enhanced
embossed
doted
duped
The sentence notes the subject had a "simple nature" which brought "underhanded schemes." This indicates the correct answer needs to show he was quite gullible. "Duped," meaning fooled or cheated, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #617 : Text Completion
Once the opposition asked for more conditions, the group __________ at negotiating any further.
reenergized
balked
stippled
quirked
quarried
balked
The "opposition" has "asked for more conditions" causing the group to do the missing word. The correct answer must indicate the group will no longer negotiate. "Balked," meaning prevented or backed off from, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #618 : Text Completion
The new prime minister wanted to __________ with the country's traditional enemy, in a break from the previous regime.
villify
conciliate
alienate
dissipate
condescend
conciliate
The "new prime minister" sought a "break from the previous regime." This means he wants to approach "the country's traditional enemy" differently. "Conciliate," meaning to bring together, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #861 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
After being largely unheralded, her third novel __________ many different awards for the author.
recused
gamboled
mitigated
garnered
rehected
garnered
The sentence describes the author having "many different awards." This indicates the correct answer should mean to gather or collect, the definition of "garnered."
Example Question #622 : Text Completion
The new coach's first task was to __________ a dull and boring team.
enervate
further
vivify
hallow
dampen
vivify
The coach's task applies to "a dull and boring team." This indicates the coach must make them less "dull and boring." "Vivify," meaning to enliven and perk up, is the correct answer choice.
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