GRE Verbal : GRE Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #931 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Even when he tried to give a simple answer, the professor had a tendency to __________ on his subject.
pontificate
clarify
excise
simplify
abridge
pontificate
The structure of the sentence makes it clear that the professor cannot give a simple answer, so the correct answer will mean the opposite. "Simplify," "excise," "abridge," and "clarify" all mean to make simple in one way or another, and can all be struck out. Only "pontificate," meaning to speak excessively and even arrogantly, is correct in the sentence.
Example Question #249 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
The leader never himself committed any violence, but always seemed to __________ it from his underlings.
peruse
excise
condemn
belabor
condone
condone
The leader is attempting to distance himself from the violence of his underlings, while still having their violent actions continue. The answer will uphold this double standard on the leader's part. Of all the answer choices, "condone," meaning to support quietly or overlook, best fits the sentence.
Example Question #250 : Verbs In One Blank Texts
Kind words do little to situations that require more than nice phrases in order to be improved.
ameliorate
allay
enlighten
augment
retract
ameliorate
The sense of the the sentence indicates that kind words fail to help in improvement of a bad situation. It is perhaps tempting to choose "augment" because of its sense of "increase." Certain verbal associations might lead one to choose "retract" or "allay," but these do not apply. "Ameliorate" fits best, as it means "to improve" or "make better."
Example Question #932 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Her ability to predict what her students would do made them think she was a __________.
sibyl
paragon
pedant
contemporary
liturgy
sibyl
The sentence explicitly notes that she has an "ability to predict what her students would do," which is the best clue to the answer. The correct answer must indicate someone who can see the future. "Sibyl," meaning a prophetess, after a Greek myth, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #933 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The slip and fall __________ an already existing injury.
exacerbated
illustrated
obviated
corroborated
cogitated
exacerbated
The key to the answer is the phrase "already existing injury." This means the injury described by the sentence took the existing injury and made it worse, the definition of "exacerbated."
Example Question #934 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His appetite was limitless, and no meal could ever truly __________ him.
obviate
ingratiate
doff
fawn
satiate
satiate
The subject's "appetite was limitless," which means one meal would not be enough. The correct answer should mean to satisfy or fill up, the definition of "satiate," which is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #935 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
After multiple injuries from playing with the toys, they were __________ at the school.
demurred
approved
proscribed
solaced
ogled
proscribed
The toys have caused "multiple injuries," so presumably they are not wanted at a school. The correct answer must mean forbidden or outlawed, the definition of "proscribed."
Example Question #685 : Text Completion
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
While he was once a great athlete, he had let his fitness __________ once he was no longer playing every day.
languish
improve
expand
encroach
restore
languish
The structure of the sentence indicates that the athlete is no longer as fit as he used to be. The correct answer choice needs to indicate that he has let himself go. "Languish," meaning suffer or decline, is the only choice that makes sense in the sentence.
Example Question #936 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His first action as leader was to ______________ those who opposed him to unimportant positions.
congeal
advocate
relegate
alleviate
eulogize
relegate
The new leader is making his opponents go to "unimportant positions." The correct answer will indicate this movement to irrelevance. "Relegate," meaning dismissed to a lower position, is the best choice.
Example Question #1 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The ________ taste of the cheese let the chef know it had gone bad.
torpid
acrid
resplendent
melodious
mellifluous
acrid
The key word in this sentence is "bad." The correct answer will have a highly negative meaning. Resplendent, mellifluous, and melodious are all too positive in meaning. Torpid, meaning flat or dullness, is not strong enough. Acrid, meaning pungent and sharp, is the best fit.
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