GRE Verbal : One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #837 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The general was __________, and marched his army at a feverish pace.
disinterested
esoteric
ambivalent
inexorable
deferent
inexorable
The general makes his army march "at a feverish pace." This means he is pushing them consistently hard. "Inexorable," meaning relentless and inevitable, is the correct answer.
Example Question #838 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
Not a gifted speaker, his lectures were __________ rather than inspiring.
verbose
brief
prosaic
ebullient
succinct
prosaic
The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with "inspiring," meaning the correct answer must stand in opposition to "inspiring." "Prosaic," meaning ordinary and unimaginative, is the best choice.
Example Question #1151 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The landscape engineering was a miracle that turned the area from a boggy marsh to completely __________ in just a few years.
barren
mired
potable
tranquil
arable
arable
The land went from "a boggy marsh" to the missing word in a "miracle" of engineering. This means the correct answer will contrast with "a boggy marsh." "Arable," meaning able to be cultivated and farmed, is the best fit.
Example Question #1152 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
In many cultures, insulting someone's family is such a __________ offense, it was cause relationships to stop.
pervasive
flagrant
venial
gracious
carnal
flagrant
Causing "relationships to stop" is a strong reaction to any offense. The correct answer will make the offense strong enough to cause such a reaction. "Flagrant," meaning clearly wrong or obviously bad, is the best choice.
Example Question #1153 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Usually, approaching a stronger opponent on equal footing is __________, but challenging the opponent directly does sometimes work.
condoned
inexpedient
consecrated
conspicuous
irreproachable
inexpedient
The sentence ends up noting the direct strategy will "sometimes work." This indicates the missing word is advising against the strategy. "Inexpedient," meaning unadvisable or inefficient, is the best choice.
Example Question #1151 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Most college students learn how to survive on __________ funds by eating lower quality foods.
meager
archaic
boorish
abundant
lavish
meager
The students are "eating lower quality foods" because of their amount of funds. The missing word will indicate why they can only have "lower quality foods." "Meager," meaning scant or in short supply, is the correct answer.
Example Question #903 : Text Completion
The boy was so __________, his date could hardly remember what she found charming about him.
affable
vapid
personable
infamous
ominous
vapid
The sentence notes the date once found the boy "charming," but does not anymore. The correct answer must stand in contrast with "charming." "Vapid," meaning dull and shallow, is the best choice.
Example Question #904 : Text Completion
Many children do not understand the rules their parents impose, and view them as completely __________.
trivial
utilitarian
necessary
subtle
arbitrary
arbitrary
The sentence notes that "children do not understand" their parents motivations. The correct answer will indicate the children's inability to comprehend their parents' rules. "Arbitrary," meaning random or for no reason, is the best fit among the answers.
Example Question #1152 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His consistent ability to call the outcome of races led many to think he was __________.
clairvoyant
prosaic
mundane
pedantic
archaic
clairvoyant
The subject can "call the outcome of races," an ability that makes people call him the missing word. The correct answer needs to reference his predictive abilities. "Clairvoyant," meaning psychic or able to see the future, is the best fit.
Example Question #1153 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
In an era of staid performers in tuxedos, his sequined suits and feathered hats were even more __________.
mundane
obtuse
underwhelming
pathetic
flamboyant
flamboyant
"Sequined suits and feathered hats" make someone stand out in a "staid" era. The sequins and feathers also indicate the subject was particularly showy and flashy. "Flamboyant," meaning over the top and excessive, is the correct answer.
All GRE Verbal Resources
