Parts of Speech in One-Blank Texts - GRE Verbal
Card 0 of 7875
She was for her unusual approach to the test, but her success vindicated her.
She was for her unusual approach to the test, but her success vindicated her.
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.
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.
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She was rarely impulsive, and always had to a great deal over decisions.
She was rarely impulsive, and always had to a great deal over decisions.
A few answer choices could work in the sentence, but once will work best. If "she was rarely impulsive," then she made her decisions carefully. "Cogitate," meaning to ponder and think over deeply, is the best answer choice.
A few answer choices could work in the sentence, but once will work best. If "she was rarely impulsive," then she made her decisions carefully. "Cogitate," meaning to ponder and think over deeply, is the best answer choice.
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Each side claimed the other the conflict, asserting that their fighting was in self-defense.
Each side claimed the other the conflict, asserting that their fighting was in self-defense.
The sides both claim "self-defense," which indicates that they blame the other side for starting the conflict. The correct answer should mean to start or provoke, the definition of "instigate."
The sides both claim "self-defense," which indicates that they blame the other side for starting the conflict. The correct answer should mean to start or provoke, the definition of "instigate."
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The gang was able to the jewels through befriending and tricking the guard.
The gang was able to the jewels through befriending and tricking the guard.
The "gang" did something with the jewels by "tricking the guard." This means they got past the guard, presumably to commit a crime. "Purloin," meaning to acquire in a suspicious or illegal manner, is the correct answer.
The "gang" did something with the jewels by "tricking the guard." This means they got past the guard, presumably to commit a crime. "Purloin," meaning to acquire in a suspicious or illegal manner, is the correct answer.
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Once his wife passed away, he began to the times he could not spend with her.
Once his wife passed away, he began to the times he could not spend with her.
The sentence discusses a man that "could not spend time" with a wife who "passed away," leading to the missing word. The correct answer needs to indicate a desire to have spent time with her. "Rue," meaning regret or sorrow, is the best choice.
The sentence discusses a man that "could not spend time" with a wife who "passed away," leading to the missing word. The correct answer needs to indicate a desire to have spent time with her. "Rue," meaning regret or sorrow, is the best choice.
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The teenager hoped the fact he was just tagging along with friends would him from the underage drinking charge.
The teenager hoped the fact he was just tagging along with friends would him from the underage drinking charge.
Both the teenager's excuse, "tagging along," and the "charge" indicate he is trying to get out from under something. The correct answer should mean to free someone from blame, the definition of "exculpate."
Both the teenager's excuse, "tagging along," and the "charge" indicate he is trying to get out from under something. The correct answer should mean to free someone from blame, the definition of "exculpate."
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After receiving a credit card, he used it to a large amount of debt quite quickly.
After receiving a credit card, he used it to a large amount of debt quite quickly.
A credit card is the avenue for building debt, and getting a "large amount . . . quite quickly" means he built it up. "Amass," meaning to gather or accumulate, is the correct answer.
A credit card is the avenue for building debt, and getting a "large amount . . . quite quickly" means he built it up. "Amass," meaning to gather or accumulate, is the correct answer.
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The stray dog was skittish around humans, often himself behind walls and trees when he heard people.
The stray dog was skittish around humans, often himself behind walls and trees when he heard people.
The dog is essentially hiding from people when he hears them, and the correct answer will in some way be a synonym for hiding. Of all the answer choices, only obscuring means hiding or being unseen.
The dog is essentially hiding from people when he hears them, and the correct answer will in some way be a synonym for hiding. Of all the answer choices, only obscuring means hiding or being unseen.
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The crackdown on illegal contributions the need for further laws on the matter.
The crackdown on illegal contributions the need for further laws on the matter.
The "crackdown" and "further laws" would be going toward the same cause. If the "crackdown" did anything to "further laws," it would be to make them unnecessary or unimportant, the definition of "obviated."
The "crackdown" and "further laws" would be going toward the same cause. If the "crackdown" did anything to "further laws," it would be to make them unnecessary or unimportant, the definition of "obviated."
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The philosopher's new book was with logical problems.
The philosopher's new book was with logical problems.
A philosopher essentially deals in logic, and to have "logical problems" in a philosophy book is a concern. The correct answer chocie should indicate that the book is full of issues. "Riddled," which means being full of or permeated by, is the correct answer.
A philosopher essentially deals in logic, and to have "logical problems" in a philosophy book is a concern. The correct answer chocie should indicate that the book is full of issues. "Riddled," which means being full of or permeated by, is the correct answer.
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The committee always a great deal, never deciding anything quickly.
The committee always a great deal, never deciding anything quickly.
"Never deciding anything quickly" is the key phrase in the sentence. The correct answer will indicate the slowness of the committee. "Deliberated," meaning to think over carefully and slowly, is the best choice.
"Never deciding anything quickly" is the key phrase in the sentence. The correct answer will indicate the slowness of the committee. "Deliberated," meaning to think over carefully and slowly, is the best choice.
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The politician always wanted statistics to the claims he made in his speeches.
The politician always wanted statistics to the claims he made in his speeches.
The politician is concerned about the claims in his speech, and would want to support them with statistics. The correct answer will mean to strengthen or back up, which is the definition of "buttress."
The politician is concerned about the claims in his speech, and would want to support them with statistics. The correct answer will mean to strengthen or back up, which is the definition of "buttress."
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After the scandal, members the party in large numbers and left it a shell of its former self.
After the scandal, members the party in large numbers and left it a shell of its former self.
The phrase "a shell of its former self" indicates the party shrunk in size. The correct answer will indicate the movement of the members out of the party. "Evacuate," meaning to vacate or empty, is the best choice.
The phrase "a shell of its former self" indicates the party shrunk in size. The correct answer will indicate the movement of the members out of the party. "Evacuate," meaning to vacate or empty, is the best choice.
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She often overthought things, on decisions for months.
She often overthought things, on decisions for months.
A few of the choices could fit the sentence, so the best fit must be found. The sentence says she "overthought . . . for months," and the best answer will reflect that deep thought. "Ruminating," meaning to ponder or reflect, is the best answer choice.
A few of the choices could fit the sentence, so the best fit must be found. The sentence says she "overthought . . . for months," and the best answer will reflect that deep thought. "Ruminating," meaning to ponder or reflect, is the best answer choice.
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Writing closed captioning for live events is difficult, as every word is nearly impossible.
Writing closed captioning for live events is difficult, as every word is nearly impossible.
THe phrase "writing closed captioning" is the best clue to the answer. The best choice will indicate writing in some manner. "Transcribing," meaning to copy or take down, is the correct answer.
THe phrase "writing closed captioning" is the best clue to the answer. The best choice will indicate writing in some manner. "Transcribing," meaning to copy or take down, is the correct answer.
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The instructor used his last class to any nerves students had about their driving test.
The instructor used his last class to any nerves students had about their driving test.
The instructor wants the students to do well on their test. With this in mind, the correct answer will indicate some sense of help with their nerves. "Allay," meaning to lessen, is the best choice.
The instructor wants the students to do well on their test. With this in mind, the correct answer will indicate some sense of help with their nerves. "Allay," meaning to lessen, is the best choice.
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When asked directly about his choice, the CEO to heighten the confusion.
When asked directly about his choice, the CEO to heighten the confusion.
The sentence could make sense with a few of the answer choices, so the best fit must be chosen. The CEO increasing the confusion in his response indicates he did not answer clearly. "Demurred," meaning to hesitate or refuse, is the best choice.
The sentence could make sense with a few of the answer choices, so the best fit must be chosen. The CEO increasing the confusion in his response indicates he did not answer clearly. "Demurred," meaning to hesitate or refuse, is the best choice.
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His lack of self-confidence tended to his poor athletic gifts.
His lack of self-confidence tended to his poor athletic gifts.
The "poor athletic gifts" would be harmed by a "lack of self-confidence." The correct answer will indicate the poor effect. "Exacerbate," meaning to make worse, is the best choice.
The "poor athletic gifts" would be harmed by a "lack of self-confidence." The correct answer will indicate the poor effect. "Exacerbate," meaning to make worse, is the best choice.
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The boy was a natural rebel, seeking to any rules or boundaries given to him.
The boy was a natural rebel, seeking to any rules or boundaries given to him.
The boy being a "natural rebel" provides the best clue to the answer. A rebel violates rules, and the correct answer will show that. "Transgress," meaning to violate or disobey, is the best answer.
The boy being a "natural rebel" provides the best clue to the answer. A rebel violates rules, and the correct answer will show that. "Transgress," meaning to violate or disobey, is the best answer.
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The boss' attempts at humor centered on his employees, and frequently backfired.
The boss' attempts at humor centered on his employees, and frequently backfired.
The fact the humor "backfired" on the boss indicates the tone was probably unkind to the employees. The correct answer will mean to criticize or insult, the definition of "deprecating."
The fact the humor "backfired" on the boss indicates the tone was probably unkind to the employees. The correct answer will mean to criticize or insult, the definition of "deprecating."
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