GRE Verbal : Parts of Speech in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #785 : Text Completion
The newscaster was exciting as a young man, but increasingly spoke in _____________ soundbites as he grew older.
ebullient
beguiling
subversive
effusive
trite
trite
The newscaster's current style, described by the missing word, is contrasted with his "exciting" style as a young man. The correct answer will then be an antonym of "exciting." "Trite," meaning boring and overused, is the best fit among the choices.
Example Question #786 : Text Completion
The teacher tried to draw out the student, whose personality made him reluctant to speak up in class.
succinct
jaunty
reticent
hysterical
voluble
reticent
The student is shy/reserved, which means he is not voluble, hysterical, or jaunty. He may be succinct, but the impression is that he is shy, not just that he uses few words. He is reticent.
Example Question #787 : Text Completion
The two nations' _____________ rhetoric was seen as a chief reason for their fighting.
benign
bellicose
jaunty
ambiguous
phlegmatic
bellicose
The sentence outright states the two nations were fighting because of their rhetoric. The correct answer needs to indicate the hatred and posturing by the nations that would cause conflict. "Bellicose," meaning aggressive and war like, is the correct answer.
Example Question #788 : Text Completion
The young man wanted to be the _______________ actor, and tailored his habits after his acting role models.
egregious
contemporary
consummate
altruistic
subversive
consummate
Copying his "role models" means the young man is trying to live up to them. The correct answer will demonstrate the boys' desire to perfection as an actor. "Consummate," meaning total or supremely good, is the best choice.
Example Question #789 : Text Completion
The solution to the problem was _______________, no matter what the scientists tried.
irreproachable
potent
exceptionable
deleterious
elusive
elusive
The phrase "no matter what the scientists tried," indicates the solution was never found. The correct answer needs to demonstrate their uncertainty or fruitlessness. "Elusive," meaning difficult to grasp or pin down, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #790 : Text Completion
The introverted son faded into the background among his many ______________ relatives.
jaundiced
negligent
supercilious
irascible
gregarious
gregarious
The sentence contrasts the missing word with the son's "introverted" personality. The correct answer will then mean extroverted or sociable, the definition of "gregarious."
Example Question #791 : Text Completion
Years of watching legislation fail made the lobbyist _______________ about getting the initiative passed.
torpid
jaundiced
jocular
placated
ebullient
jaundiced
"Watching legislation fail" means the lobbyist would not expect the initiative to pass now. The correct answer will show the lobbyist's dejection and negativity. "Jaundiced," meaning cynical or pessimistic, is the best choice.
Example Question #792 : Text Completion
As a young girl, she was a ________________ gymnast who beat everyone her age.
substandard
supercilious
irksome
superlative
indifferent
superlative
The girl "beat everyoe her age" as a gymnast, so presumably she was quite good. The correct answer needs to indicate just how good she was. "Superlative," meaning extremely good or the very best, is the most appropriate answer choice.
Example Question #793 : Text Completion
A frightened animal will often take a _______________ pose to look threatening to other animals.
surreptitious
belligerent
exasperated
jocular
languid
belligerent
The animal is both "frightened" and trying "to look threatening." The correct answer needs to reflect the animal's aggression. "Belligerent," meaning willing and looking to fight, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #794 : Text Completion
The painter was often overshadowed by _______________ artists whose fame did not outlive them.
redundant
callow
contemporary
inconsequential
transient
contemporary
The painter is compared to what must be similar artists, "whose fame did not outlive them." The comparison is to artists from the same era as the painter. "Contemporary," meaning at the same time, is the correct answer.
All GRE Verbal Resources
