GRE Verbal : Verbs in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #623 : Text Completion
The mud and sticks were a desperate attempt to __________ the leak in the dam, but proved largely futile.
mince
caulk
decimate
hack
waft
caulk
"The mud and sticks" are placed inside a dam because of a leak, and the fact they "proved largely futile" does not change their purpose. The correct answer should mean to block or seal, which is the definition of "caulk."
Example Question #625 : Text Completion
To prevent dissent, the authoritarian government sought to __________ radical thinkers in prison camps.
deride
quarantine
patronize
disseminate
instigate
quarantine
The "authoritarian government" is moving "radical thinkers" to separate camps "to prevent dissent." This indicates that the radical thinksers are being isolated away from others, which is the definition of "quarantine," the correct answer choice.
Example Question #871 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
Every time he saw his former girlfriend he attempted to __________ their past romance.
macerate
rekindle
quash
obfuscate
caulk
rekindle
The subject is working on bringing "romance" with a "former girlfriend." The correct answer needs to reflect the fact it is a "former" relationship and that the subject makes an effort. "Rekindle," meaning to revive or start up again, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #627 : Text Completion
The dictator needed to __________ the details of the rebel's protests so he could effectively stop it from happening.
reconnoiter
purify
assuage
temper
personify
reconnoiter
The sentence notes the missing word will give "details" so that the dictator could stop the protest. The correct answer will indicate the dictator is attempting to find information. "Reconnoiter," meaning to survey or research, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #628 : Text Completion
The outrageous claim made the usually calm teacher __________ throughout the entire class.
pacify
obfuscate
disseminate
dissemble
fulminate
fulminate
The sentence notes the teacher is "usually calm," but did the missing word anyway. This indicates the correct answer has to mean the teacher was loudly denouncing and attacking the story, which is the definition of "fulminate."
Example Question #872 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The young boy __________ on his way home, as he did not want to face his parents.
dallied
hustled
hastened
sprinted
sullied
dallied
The sentence notes the "young boy" "did not want to face his parents." The correct answer needs to reflect his unwillingness to see his parents. "Dallied," meaning wasted time or hesitated, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #632 : Text Completion
Her answers rarely __________ with the facts of the case, increasing the police's suspicion.
disputed
stinted
doted
sated
jibed
jibed
The subjects's statements are "increasing the police's suspension," meaning their relationship with the facts are not straightforward. The correct answer will indicate that the answers are not directly aligned with the facts. "Jibed," meaning lined up or matched, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #881 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
In front of the committee, the witness __________ and made no one believe his statements.
staunted
abraded
declaimed
dissembled
levied
dissembled
The testimony "made no one believe his statements," which means his comments were suspicious. The correct answer needs to show he was somehow untrustworthy or strange. "Dissemble," meaning to put on an act or avoid the truth, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #882 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
His arrogant tone made it clear he did not __________ to answer the question outright.
lien
deign
gouge
gall
abut
deign
The man's "arrogant tone" is the best clue to finding the missing word. Since he "would not answer the question outright," the correct answer has to show a level the appropriate level of condescension. "Deign," meaning to do something considered beneath one's dignity, is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #571 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Texts
The discontent in the legislature was quickly __________ when an amendment that many approved of was added on to the bill.
fomented
exacerbated
enlivened
precipitate
quelled
quelled
The sentence notes the "amendment that many approved of" did the missing word to the "discontent." This means the amendment helped get rid of the discontent, and the correct answer should show this. "Quelled," meaning suppressed or stopped, is the best choice among the answers.
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