GRE Verbal : Nouns in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #102 : Text Completion
The new hire was excited about her job, and took to it with _____________.
indifference
antipathy
egregiousness
recalcitrance
alacrity
alacrity
The best clue to find the correct answer is the word "excited." The best choice will be a further illustration of the new hire's excitement. "Alacrity," meaning quickness or eagerness, is the correct answer.
Example Question #103 : Text Completion
Victorian social mores were so stringent, body parts were never named, but had discreet ________________.
eulogies
euphemisms
examinations
iconoclasms
redundancies
euphemisms
The sentence outright states "body were never named," and the correct answer should indicate a cover up or misnaming. "Euphemisms," meaning a polite phrase used as a stand in for an impolite one, is the best choice.
Example Question #104 : Text Completion
The professor never revealed his grading system, preferring students to view it as a kind of _______________.
algorithm
portent
alchemy
pragmatism
alibi
alchemy
The professor is keeping his grading process a mystery. "Alchemy," a form of medievel chemistry that is often used metaphorically to mean mystery or magic, is the correct answer.
Example Question #105 : Text Completion
The Senator was a well known _________________, with an unusual and unpredictable voting record.
paragon
transgressive
iconoclast
charlatan
libertarian
iconoclast
The Senator's "unusual and unpredictable voting record" is the best clue to finding the correct answer. The best fit will indicate the Senatory's unique habits. "Iconoclast," meaning someone who goes against standard thinking, is the correct answer.
Example Question #106 : Text Completion
The young associate had a peculiar tendency toward _______________ at the most serious moments.
obtuseness
pragmatism
intractability
levity
irascibility
levity
The structure of the sentence places "serious moments" at odds with the missing word. The correct answer will need to be an antonym of "serious." "Levity," meaning lightness or flippancy, is the best answer choice.
Example Question #107 : Text Completion
It quickly became apparent she had no ________________ for the night of the crime.
alchemy
receptacle
precinct
precipice
alibi
alibi
The key phrase in the sentence is "for the night of the crime," and the correct answer will have to do in some way with crime. "Alibi," a term for a verifiable claim of not being at a crime scene, is the correct answer.
Example Question #111 : Text Completion
The entire organization called for a complete __________________ of the actions of their disgraced former president.
immoderation
exacerbation
derision
delineation
deliberation
delineation
The phrasing and structure of the sentence indicate the organization does not know about all the former president's actions. The correct answer will mean explanation or outlining, which is the definition of "delineation."
Example Question #112 : Text Completion
His walk had a number of _____________________ that made him identifiable from a distance.
euphemisms
idiosyncracies
transgressions
obsessions
ruminations
idiosyncracies
If the subject is "identifiable from a distance," this means his walk is unique to him, and the correct answer will reflect this. "Idiosyncracies," meaning personal peculiarities, is the best fit among the answer choices.
Example Question #113 : Text Completion
His use of pseudonyms in ______________ allowed readers to think the magazine was written by more than one person.
cudgels
euphemisms
edifices
bylines
eulogies
bylines
The reference to magazine writing is the best clue to finding the answer. The correct choice will have something to do with magazines or writing. "Bylines," the line indicating the author of an article, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #114 : Text Completion
He immediately sought a ______________ for his sunburn when he woke up in the morning.
trinket
calcification
portent
liniment
subpoena
liniment
The subject of the sentence is trying to find something for a sunburn, which is painful. The correct answer will indicate help for the sunburn. "Liniment," a soothing lotion or cream, is the best choice.
All GRE Verbal Resources
