GRE Verbal : Verbs in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
All GRE Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #506 : Text Completion
They are shy animals, and only __________ from hiding when they believe nothing is around.
emerge
abscond
excise
elude
obscure
emerge
The sentence explicitly describes the animals as "shy" and "hiding." They are presumably waiting until "nothing is around" to appear or come out, the definition of "emerge."
Example Question #507 : Text Completion
His prominent nose came from his father's family, and was said to be _____________ through generations.
corrugated
alleviated
jeopardized
brevetted
bequeathed
bequeathed
The passing "through generations" is the best clue to the answer in the sentence. "Bequeathed," meaning to pass something on in a will, used here metaphorically, is the correct answer.
Example Question #508 : Text Completion
The company attempted to improve its sales by ________________ the successful strategies of its larger competitor.
eviscerating
emulating
obviating
beguiling
pontificating
emulating
The "successful strategies" have improved sales at the "larger competitor," and the smaller company wants to also improve its sales. The correct answer will mean to copy or imitate, the definition of "emulating."
Example Question #509 : Text Completion
The student's research was sloppy, and all his points were easily ________________ by his professor.
waxed
buttressed
recapitulated
refuted
goaded
refuted
The research is called "sloppy," so the professor would try to challenge the research. "Easily" indicates he has dismissed the student's research. "Refuted," meaning to disprove, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #510 : Text Completion
The coach was known for his intensity, ____________ his players for the smallest mistake.
berating
allaying
goading
placating
condoning
berating
The coach has a reputation for "intensity," and his reaction to mistakes must reflect this. The correct answer will show the coach getting in his players' faces. "Berating," meaning scolding and criticizing, is the best fit.
Example Question #511 : Text Completion
The school board ______________ the controversial measure despite the disapproval of many teachers.
endorsed
recanted
razed
condemned
refuted
endorsed
The school board's actions, described by the missing word, occur "despite the disapproval of many teachers." The correct answer needs to mean give support or approval, the definition of "endorsed."
Example Question #512 : Text Completion
He loved to _________________ his grandchildren with wild stories of his childhood on the frontier.
bemoan
recuperate
regale
berate
deliberate
regale
The grandfather tells his grandchildren "wild stories." The correct answer needs to demonstrate the purpose of those tales. "Regale," meaning to entertain and amuse, is the best choice.
Example Question #761 : Gre Verbal Reasoning
The father thought the gift would ______________ his son's anger.
burgeon
buttress
placate
inflame
refute
placate
The use of a gift in the face of a son's anger means the father is trying to minimize the anger. The correct answer should mean to soothe or calm, the definition of "placate."
Example Question #513 : Text Completion
He was never one to follow any rules, and openly ________________ any guidelines placed on him,
flouted
acquiesced
coddled
ratified
advocated
flouted
The subject does not "follow any rules," so any guidelines would be ignored or gone against. The correct answer must mean defied or rejected, the definition of "flouted."
Example Question #514 : Text Completion
She was ___________ for her unusual approach to the test, but her success vindicated her.
championed
venerated
lauded
hallowed
disparaged
disparaged
If "success vindicated her," then presumably she had to be vindicated for something. This means her "unusual approach" was looked down on. "Disparaged," meaning to be criticized and dismissed, is the correct answer.
All GRE Verbal Resources
