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 #354 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
His __________ stance put him at odds with his more conciliatory colleagues.
belligerent
flippant
mellow
acquiescent
discerning
belligerent
The missing word is contrasted with the colleagues being "more conciliatory." The correct answer has to indicate he is unwilling to compromise. "Belligerent," meaning hostile and war like, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #355 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
excessive
rococo
couture
utilitarian
baroque
utilitarian
The sentence explicitly says the vehicle has a "lack of style and luxury," but is "well loved." The correct answer will indicate its unglamorousness. "Utilitarian," meaning functional and basic, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #356 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
Despite his confrontational statements, he proved quite __________ when he needed to make a deal.
onerous
vociferous
obscene
bellicose
tractable
tractable
The sentence contrasts the missing word with his "confrontational statements." The correct answer will need to indicate that the subject was actually helpful. "Tractable," meaning obedient and dutiful, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1293 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
By the end of his life, he had become __________ and never stayed anywhere more than a few days.
excessive
reclusive
inviolable
concise
peripatetic
peripatetic
The key phrase in the sentence is "never stayed anywhere more than a few days." This indicates the correct answer will mean moving around or unable to stay still. "Peripatetic," meaning nomadic or wandering, is the best choice.
Example Question #358 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Texts
The __________ speech made it clear the leader was unhappy with her opponents.
banal
apologetic
recusant
mundane
vitriolic
vitriolic
The leader's position of being "unhappy with her opponents" is the best clue in the sentence. This indicates the correct answer must mean diisappoint and/or anger. "Vitriolic," meaning full of anger and attacking, is the best choice.
Example Question #1294 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His __________ clothing stood out among the boring suits of his colleagues.
mundane
garish
squalid
common
banal
garish
The sentence contrasts the missing word with his colleages' "boring suits." The correct answer needs to mean the opposite of "boring." "Garish," meaning gaudy and outlandish, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1295 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
For a young child, she was quite __________ in trying new and different foods.
hostile
intrepid
adverse
monotonous
stereotypical
intrepid
The "young child" is "trying new and different foods," a fact described by the missing word. The correct answer should mean brave and daring, the definition of "intrepid."
Example Question #1051 : Text Completion
The __________ nature of the job quickly made him want variety in his life.
exuberant
monotonous
eccentric
quixotic
dynamic
monotonous
The sentence explicitly notes the subject wanted "variety in his life." The correct answer will therefore be an antonym of "variety." "Monotonous," meaning dull or unvaried, is the best choice.
Example Question #1052 : Text Completion
The once prominent issue eventually became a _________ concern for most politicians.
pernicious
peripheral
cataclysmic
fractious
seminal
peripheral
The sentence uses the missing word to contrast the issue's current position with the fact it was "once prominent." The correct answer must mean unimportant and not central, the definition of "peripheral."
Example Question #1053 : Text Completion
While planned as a relaxing family vacation, the children ruined it with their __________ attitude.
banal
colloquial
affable
ebullient
querulous
querulous
The children's attitude has "ruined" the "relaxing family vacation." This means their attutude is problematic or annoying. "Querulous," meaning obnoxiously questioning, is the best choice among the answers.
All GRE Verbal Resources
