Adjectives and Adverbs in One-Blank Texts - GRE Verbal
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In spite of her musical talent, Talia never became a popular Broadway actress because her manner rendered her characters impersonable.
In spite of her musical talent, Talia never became a popular Broadway actress because her manner rendered her characters impersonable.
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There is something about the way Talia acts that made it impossible for her audiences to relate to her characters. So "sincere" and "forthcoming," both meaning honest, do not work. Meanwhile "eloquent" and "unfaltering" both describe someone who speaks with conviction. Thus "affected," meaning fake, is the best choice.
There is something about the way Talia acts that made it impossible for her audiences to relate to her characters. So "sincere" and "forthcoming," both meaning honest, do not work. Meanwhile "eloquent" and "unfaltering" both describe someone who speaks with conviction. Thus "affected," meaning fake, is the best choice.
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Despite his popular appeal and acclaim among critics, the writer remained , preferring the solitude of his own home to public book signings and colloquia with other famed writers.
Despite his popular appeal and acclaim among critics, the writer remained , preferring the solitude of his own home to public book signings and colloquia with other famed writers.
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"Courteous," "convivial," "genial," and "affable" could all be used to describe someone polite or friendly. Only "misanthropic," meaning antisocial, could describe someone like the writer in question.
"Courteous," "convivial," "genial," and "affable" could all be used to describe someone polite or friendly. Only "misanthropic," meaning antisocial, could describe someone like the writer in question.
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Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
My dog's fear of water made the task of bathing him rather .
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
My dog's fear of water made the task of bathing him rather .
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Someone might consider the task of bathing a dog to be "simple," "straightforward," or "rudimentary," all meaning basic. Someone who thinks the task is especially easy also might call it "negligible"; however, these do not make sense contextually, because the dog in question does not like water: this would make the task of bathing him "onerous," meaning burdensome.
Someone might consider the task of bathing a dog to be "simple," "straightforward," or "rudimentary," all meaning basic. Someone who thinks the task is especially easy also might call it "negligible"; however, these do not make sense contextually, because the dog in question does not like water: this would make the task of bathing him "onerous," meaning burdensome.
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Although sentimental readers find the intricate plot of the romance Gone with the Wind to be riveting, more pragmatic thinkers find the long story to be .
Although sentimental readers find the intricate plot of the romance Gone with the Wind to be riveting, more pragmatic thinkers find the long story to be .
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"Elementary" and "primitive" both mean basic, which contradicts the idea that the plot of the novel is "intricate." "Evocative" and "stirring," both meaning exciting, draw no contrast with the word "riveting," but it is clear from the word "although" that pragmatic thinkers and sentimental readers are supposed feel differently about the novel. Thus "soporific," meaning dull or inducing sleep, is the best choice.
"Elementary" and "primitive" both mean basic, which contradicts the idea that the plot of the novel is "intricate." "Evocative" and "stirring," both meaning exciting, draw no contrast with the word "riveting," but it is clear from the word "although" that pragmatic thinkers and sentimental readers are supposed feel differently about the novel. Thus "soporific," meaning dull or inducing sleep, is the best choice.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
So subdued and quiet that she almost seems timid at times, Sophie becomes suddenly when someone contradicts her views on issues of social inequality.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
So subdued and quiet that she almost seems timid at times, Sophie becomes suddenly when someone contradicts her views on issues of social inequality.
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"Taciturn" means quiet and "tremulous" means timid, so neither of these make much sense. "Callous" and "irreverent" would make it seem like Sophie wants to show disregard for people who disagree with her, which could be the case, but it seems that her passion for these issues incites her to behave in a very out-of-character manner, so "pugnacious," meaning eager to quarrel, makes the most sense.
"Taciturn" means quiet and "tremulous" means timid, so neither of these make much sense. "Callous" and "irreverent" would make it seem like Sophie wants to show disregard for people who disagree with her, which could be the case, but it seems that her passion for these issues incites her to behave in a very out-of-character manner, so "pugnacious," meaning eager to quarrel, makes the most sense.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Journalists can weave their personal biases into their telling of the news and are often able to portray their own opinions as facts.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Journalists can weave their personal biases into their telling of the news and are often able to portray their own opinions as facts.
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A journalist would not want to portray his or her views as "paradoxical," or self-contradictory. He or she would also not want his or her stories to be "enigmatic," or impossible to understand. Simple facts are also generally not "ambiguous," meaning open to interpretation, or "dubious," meaning doubtful. "Unequivocal," meaning certain, is the best fit here.
A journalist would not want to portray his or her views as "paradoxical," or self-contradictory. He or she would also not want his or her stories to be "enigmatic," or impossible to understand. Simple facts are also generally not "ambiguous," meaning open to interpretation, or "dubious," meaning doubtful. "Unequivocal," meaning certain, is the best fit here.
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Once a term for a supposed anarchist, the term "punk" has evolved to describe a rich subculture, with an emphasis on individual freedom.
Once a term for a supposed anarchist, the term "punk" has evolved to describe a rich subculture, with an emphasis on individual freedom.
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So it is possible that "punk" was meant to be a term of "deference," meaning respect. It is also possible it was meant to be a term of "adulation" or "commendation," meaning praise. It could possibly also be a term of "indifference," meaning detachment, but given that it was meant to describe someone who might be anti-government, it is more likely that the term "punk" was once a "pejorative," a term of disparagement.
So it is possible that "punk" was meant to be a term of "deference," meaning respect. It is also possible it was meant to be a term of "adulation" or "commendation," meaning praise. It could possibly also be a term of "indifference," meaning detachment, but given that it was meant to describe someone who might be anti-government, it is more likely that the term "punk" was once a "pejorative," a term of disparagement.
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Rescued from his neglectful owner, the dog, though he already appeared to be , was found to be far more chronically underweight than expected after further medical attention.
Rescued from his neglectful owner, the dog, though he already appeared to be , was found to be far more chronically underweight than expected after further medical attention.
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"Ponderous", meaning hefty, could probably not be used to describe an underweight dog. "Rabid" might describe a dog who has suffered neglect, but the sentence seems to want to emphasize his weight more than anything. "Gluttonous" and "voracious," both meaning greedy or hungry, might describe this underweight dog. But "emaciated," meaning starved, is probably the best choice.
"Ponderous", meaning hefty, could probably not be used to describe an underweight dog. "Rabid" might describe a dog who has suffered neglect, but the sentence seems to want to emphasize his weight more than anything. "Gluttonous" and "voracious," both meaning greedy or hungry, might describe this underweight dog. But "emaciated," meaning starved, is probably the best choice.
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Unhindered by the threat of imprisonment or physical abuse at the hands of law enforcement, Susan B. Anthony was in her efforts to secure women's suffrage.
Unhindered by the threat of imprisonment or physical abuse at the hands of law enforcement, Susan B. Anthony was in her efforts to secure women's suffrage.
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It is unlikely that Susan B. Anthony was "unenthused," or not excited, in her fight for women's suffrage, because she was not even deterred by beatings or prison. The idea that she was "lackadaisical," or lazy, in her efforts is also unlikely. "Apathetic," meaning indifferent, is also not a good descriptor for this woman. She could be "infallible," meaning flawless, in her efforts, but the sentence seems to want to stress her energy and perseverence more than her flawlessness. Thus "vigorous," meaning marked by force, is the best choice.
It is unlikely that Susan B. Anthony was "unenthused," or not excited, in her fight for women's suffrage, because she was not even deterred by beatings or prison. The idea that she was "lackadaisical," or lazy, in her efforts is also unlikely. "Apathetic," meaning indifferent, is also not a good descriptor for this woman. She could be "infallible," meaning flawless, in her efforts, but the sentence seems to want to stress her energy and perseverence more than her flawlessness. Thus "vigorous," meaning marked by force, is the best choice.
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Some people certainly pursue philanthropic projects for more reasons such as a desire for recognition than for the simple joy of helping others.
Some people certainly pursue philanthropic projects for more reasons such as a desire for recognition than for the simple joy of helping others.
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"Unadulterated," "honorable," "principled," and "scrupulous" would describe the motivator of the joy of helping others. "Mercenary," meaning motivated by desire for gain, makes the most sense.
"Unadulterated," "honorable," "principled," and "scrupulous" would describe the motivator of the joy of helping others. "Mercenary," meaning motivated by desire for gain, makes the most sense.
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My father was a man of simple tastes, and even as his means grew, he never wanted to abandon his modest house for more accomodations.
My father was a man of simple tastes, and even as his means grew, he never wanted to abandon his modest house for more accomodations.
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"Unadorned" and "unostentatious" both mean not showy, so those would be characteristics of a modest house, and we want something to describe the opposite of this. "Squalid" and "begrimed" both describe very filthy and impoverished conditions. These are not conditions that one would take on as one's means grew. "Baroque," meaning lavish or extravagant, is the best choice.
"Unadorned" and "unostentatious" both mean not showy, so those would be characteristics of a modest house, and we want something to describe the opposite of this. "Squalid" and "begrimed" both describe very filthy and impoverished conditions. These are not conditions that one would take on as one's means grew. "Baroque," meaning lavish or extravagant, is the best choice.
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As English language speakers, we enjoy a luxury of a(n) store of vocabulary, capable of conveying countless concepts with a wide variety in nuance.
As English language speakers, we enjoy a luxury of a(n) store of vocabulary, capable of conveying countless concepts with a wide variety in nuance.
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"Frugal" and "sparing" both mean lacking, but the point of this sentence is that English has a lot of different types of words, so these choices do not make sense. "Mediocre" and "unremarkable" mean average or ordinary, so also do not make sense since the sentence is about the vast capabilities of English expression. "Comprehensive," meaning extensive, is the best choice.
"Frugal" and "sparing" both mean lacking, but the point of this sentence is that English has a lot of different types of words, so these choices do not make sense. "Mediocre" and "unremarkable" mean average or ordinary, so also do not make sense since the sentence is about the vast capabilities of English expression. "Comprehensive," meaning extensive, is the best choice.
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His approach to life eventually caught up with him when he aged quickly.
His approach to life eventually caught up with him when he aged quickly.
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The sentence directly ties the subject's lifestyle, described by the missing word, to the fact that he "aged quickly." This means the correct answer will indicate that the subject's lifestyle was destructive or problematic. "Intemperate," meaning excessive or immoderate, is the best choice.
The sentence directly ties the subject's lifestyle, described by the missing word, to the fact that he "aged quickly." This means the correct answer will indicate that the subject's lifestyle was destructive or problematic. "Intemperate," meaning excessive or immoderate, is the best choice.
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After her first break up, the teenager spent a month being and never smiling.
After her first break up, the teenager spent a month being and never smiling.
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The sentence gives two clues to the missing word, both the "break up" and the teenager's "never smiling" after it. This means the correct answer will mean sad or depressive, the definition of "lugubrious."
The sentence gives two clues to the missing word, both the "break up" and the teenager's "never smiling" after it. This means the correct answer will mean sad or depressive, the definition of "lugubrious."
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He was at the shocking news, and refused to talk for months afterward.
He was at the shocking news, and refused to talk for months afterward.
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The subject's reaction to the news meant he "refused to talk for months afterward." This means the correct answer needs to carry an appropriate sense of bewilderment. "Nonplussed," meaning confused or completely shocked, is the best choice among the answers.
The subject's reaction to the news meant he "refused to talk for months afterward." This means the correct answer needs to carry an appropriate sense of bewilderment. "Nonplussed," meaning confused or completely shocked, is the best choice among the answers.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Because of all the scams that exist on the web, no one dared give him their credit card number, even though he actually had a online business.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Because of all the scams that exist on the web, no one dared give him their credit card number, even though he actually had a online business.
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The company is set apart from the scams, so it must be genuine or true, the definition of "veritable." "Fallacious," "spurious," and "mendacious" all imply that the business is false in some way, while "transcendental" does not make sense in context.
The company is set apart from the scams, so it must be genuine or true, the definition of "veritable." "Fallacious," "spurious," and "mendacious" all imply that the business is false in some way, while "transcendental" does not make sense in context.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Her famous wit was as as the chemicals she worked with, which could burn clean through the skin.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Her famous wit was as as the chemicals she worked with, which could burn clean through the skin.
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We need words that make sense for both a sarcastic wit and corrosive chemicals, like "biting" and "caustic."
We need words that make sense for both a sarcastic wit and corrosive chemicals, like "biting" and "caustic."
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The man had charm and a sense of fun, but the lack of real content in his words eventually caused him to be dismissed as .
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The man had charm and a sense of fun, but the lack of real content in his words eventually caused him to be dismissed as .
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"Vacuous" means foolishly silly and empty, which seems to fit the description of this man. "Prosaic" means boring, and the description contradicts this.
"Vacuous" means foolishly silly and empty, which seems to fit the description of this man. "Prosaic" means boring, and the description contradicts this.
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His attempt at impressing his date with his magic skills ruined any chance he had at a second date.
His attempt at impressing his date with his magic skills ruined any chance he had at a second date.
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The subject's magic tricks "ruined any chance he had at a second date." This means his date was not impressed with his magic, and it was highly unsuccessful. "Artless," meaning lacking in skill or clumsy, is the correct answer.
The subject's magic tricks "ruined any chance he had at a second date." This means his date was not impressed with his magic, and it was highly unsuccessful. "Artless," meaning lacking in skill or clumsy, is the correct answer.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The farmer had trouble generating enough harvest on his land and envied his neightbor's fields.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The farmer had trouble generating enough harvest on his land and envied his neightbor's fields.
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"Fecund" means fertile and productive. "Felicitous," or apt, does not have quite the same connotation.
"Fecund" means fertile and productive. "Felicitous," or apt, does not have quite the same connotation.
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