GRE Verbal › Parts of Speech in One-Blank Texts
The political party was ________________ and unable to compete in most elections.
germinal
robust
vibrant
seminal
vital
The party was "unable to compete," which means it was not a strong or established party. The correct answer will indicate the party's weakness. "Germinal," meaning undeveloped or immature, is the correct answer.
The political party was ________________ and unable to compete in most elections.
germinal
robust
vibrant
seminal
vital
The party was "unable to compete," which means it was not a strong or established party. The correct answer will indicate the party's weakness. "Germinal," meaning undeveloped or immature, is the correct answer.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ texture of the airline pillow irritated Angela’s face and made her long flight all the more vexatious.
dexterous
lustrous
monotonous
abrasive
significant
You are looking for an adjective that would describe how a pillow might irritate someone’s face and make their flight "vexatious," or unpleasant. "Abrasive" means rough, coarse, or harsh, so is the only answer choice that fits the context of the sentence.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ texture of the airline pillow irritated Angela’s face and made her long flight all the more vexatious.
dexterous
lustrous
monotonous
abrasive
significant
You are looking for an adjective that would describe how a pillow might irritate someone’s face and make their flight "vexatious," or unpleasant. "Abrasive" means rough, coarse, or harsh, so is the only answer choice that fits the context of the sentence.
Although he practiced medicine for a decade, he was instantly fired when the hospital discovered his license was __________.
fraudulent
authentic
excessive
jeopardized
insentient
The subject was "instantly fired," so the problems with his license were quite serious. The correct answer needs to indicate the appropriate level of seriousness. "Fraudulent," meaning fake and deceptively false, is the best choice.
The __________ night was the perfect time to dig a hole in which to bury the treasure.
stygian
ethereal
luminous
effulgent
"Stygian" is dark or gloomy. If the night is dark or gloomy, it's a great time to dig a secret hole in which to bury treasure.
The __________ night was the perfect time to dig a hole in which to bury the treasure.
stygian
ethereal
luminous
effulgent
"Stygian" is dark or gloomy. If the night is dark or gloomy, it's a great time to dig a secret hole in which to bury treasure.
The politician saw himself as a gifted public speaker, but his aides knew he was actually a _______________ orator.
ponderous
lighthearted
polemical
compelling
resplendent
The structure of the sentence indicates the aides have a very different view of the politician's abilities than he does. The correct answer choice needs to mean the opposite of "gifted public speaker." "Ponderous," meaning slow and weighty, is the only answer choice that truly stands in opposition.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Robert Burns is considered the __________ Scottish poet, as his work is famous throughout Scotland and is seen to embody Scottish culture.
irrelevant
quintessential
unimpressive
mediocre
dispensible
The second half of the sentence indicates that Robert Burns is held in high regard, so "quintissential" is the best answer choice.
The variety of bird calls made its own __________________ collage.
euphonic
delineated
torpid
olfactory
immutable
"Bird calls," particularly a variety of them, are quite noisy and musical. The correct answer will have something to do with sound or music. "Euphonic, meaning pleasant sounding or beautifully musical, is the best choice.