Adjectives and Adverbs in One-Blank Texts - GRE Verbal
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The legend states he was so he once got stuck in a bathtub.
The legend states he was so he once got stuck in a bathtub.
To get "stuck in a bathtub" requires a person to be quite large. The correct answer needs to mean sizable or big. "Corpulent," meaning grossly fat or overweight, is the best fit.
To get "stuck in a bathtub" requires a person to be quite large. The correct answer needs to mean sizable or big. "Corpulent," meaning grossly fat or overweight, is the best fit.
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In a new environment, people usually become and gauge everyone around them before acting.
In a new environment, people usually become and gauge everyone around them before acting.
To "gauge everyone" before taking action means that the missing word needs to indicate people judge their situation carefully. The correct answer will mean cautious or suspicious, the definition of "circumspect."
To "gauge everyone" before taking action means that the missing word needs to indicate people judge their situation carefully. The correct answer will mean cautious or suspicious, the definition of "circumspect."
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The man's more traditional views made his children see his beliefs as .
The man's more traditional views made his children see his beliefs as .
The subject's views are referred to as "more traditional," and the sentence indicates this colors how his children see him. The correct answer will need to indicate a problematic conservatism in his worldview. "Atavistic," meaning primitive or regressive, is the best choice among the answers.
The subject's views are referred to as "more traditional," and the sentence indicates this colors how his children see him. The correct answer will need to indicate a problematic conservatism in his worldview. "Atavistic," meaning primitive or regressive, is the best choice among the answers.
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The colonial interests the nation had in the burgeoning island was seen by some as .
The colonial interests the nation had in the burgeoning island was seen by some as .
The contrast between "colonial" and "contemporary" is the clue here—there are two periods of time being contrasted. So "anachronistic" is the best word; an anochronism is something taken from its time, or old-fashioned. Don't confuse "officious" with "official"—it actually means "annoyingly eager to help."
The contrast between "colonial" and "contemporary" is the clue here—there are two periods of time being contrasted. So "anachronistic" is the best word; an anochronism is something taken from its time, or old-fashioned. Don't confuse "officious" with "official"—it actually means "annoyingly eager to help."
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Without action, the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is expected to double in the coming years.
Without action, the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is expected to double in the coming years.
The best word here would mean prompt, or quick—so "expedious" is the best fit. Don't be tricked by "imminent," which can describe the environmental issue, but not a response to it.
The best word here would mean prompt, or quick—so "expedious" is the best fit. Don't be tricked by "imminent," which can describe the environmental issue, but not a response to it.
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Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
Martin accepted the news with his usual demeanor, seeming utterly unaffected in the face of disaster.
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
Martin accepted the news with his usual demeanor, seeming utterly unaffected in the face of disaster.
Martin's reaction is described as "unaffected," which suggests he is known to be cool, calm, or aloof. Although a nihilist might indeed be calm or aloof, the word "phlegmatic," which means "cool-headed," is closer to the meaning suggested by the context clues, and therefore the best choice.
Martin's reaction is described as "unaffected," which suggests he is known to be cool, calm, or aloof. Although a nihilist might indeed be calm or aloof, the word "phlegmatic," which means "cool-headed," is closer to the meaning suggested by the context clues, and therefore the best choice.
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Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
Although she insisted her actions were purely , I contend that she was motivated by a sentimental compassion for her countrymen.
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
Although she insisted her actions were purely , I contend that she was motivated by a sentimental compassion for her countrymen.
The word "although" is a clue that there is some contradiction between the speaker's characterization of the woman's actions and the speaker's contention of the woman's sentimentality. If the woman's actions were self-described as "empathetic," there would be no contradiction. The best choice in this case would be "pragmatic," which means focusing on practical results rather than principles or emotions.
The word "although" is a clue that there is some contradiction between the speaker's characterization of the woman's actions and the speaker's contention of the woman's sentimentality. If the woman's actions were self-described as "empathetic," there would be no contradiction. The best choice in this case would be "pragmatic," which means focusing on practical results rather than principles or emotions.
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Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
The lovers' romance was stymied by the continuing antagonism between their families.
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
The lovers' romance was stymied by the continuing antagonism between their families.
Although the lovers' romance might be intense or chimerical (fanciful or improbable), but the word "stymied" suggests putting an end to something that had only recently begun. The word "fledgling," which means "budding, young, or inexperienced," is therefore the best fit in this example.
Although the lovers' romance might be intense or chimerical (fanciful or improbable), but the word "stymied" suggests putting an end to something that had only recently begun. The word "fledgling," which means "budding, young, or inexperienced," is therefore the best fit in this example.
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Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
His indifference to the lecture quickly gave way as his latent enthusiasm for the subject made itself obvious.
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
His indifference to the lecture quickly gave way as his latent enthusiasm for the subject made itself obvious.
The description of his enthusiasm for the subject as "latent" (present but not shown) implies that the man was not actually indifferent to begin with. This suggests his indifference was somehow a facade. The word "feigned" encapsulates this meaning best, suggesting he was faking his indifference and hiding his enthusiasm.
The description of his enthusiasm for the subject as "latent" (present but not shown) implies that the man was not actually indifferent to begin with. This suggests his indifference was somehow a facade. The word "feigned" encapsulates this meaning best, suggesting he was faking his indifference and hiding his enthusiasm.
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Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
The new supervisor's style irked many of his employees, who felt he did not communicate enough with them, but others appreciated his conciseness.
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
The new supervisor's style irked many of his employees, who felt he did not communicate enough with them, but others appreciated his conciseness.
You are told some of the supervisor's employees are irked by his style because of his lack of communication, while others found it concise. This suggests he probably does not communicate much information, and it would be fair to assume he may be terse. "Laconic" is therefore the best word choice, as it means "using few words, not talkative."
You are told some of the supervisor's employees are irked by his style because of his lack of communication, while others found it concise. This suggests he probably does not communicate much information, and it would be fair to assume he may be terse. "Laconic" is therefore the best word choice, as it means "using few words, not talkative."
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Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
The courtier's display at the late monarch's funeral, far from winning him the praise he desired from the new king, earned him only scorn.
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
The courtier's display at the late monarch's funeral, far from winning him the praise he desired from the new king, earned him only scorn.
Notice the courtier is described as having an ulterior motive in doing whatever he did at the monarch's funeral. Rather than feeling genuinely aggrieved, he desired to win praise from the new king. Whatever steps he took towards this goal clearly backfired, since it "earned him only scorn." Looking at the fill-in-the-blank options, you can eliminate "tasteful" and "exceptional" because these wouldn't explain the scornful reaction. "Lugubrious" makes the most sense here, as it means "an over-the-top or insincere display of grief."
Notice the courtier is described as having an ulterior motive in doing whatever he did at the monarch's funeral. Rather than feeling genuinely aggrieved, he desired to win praise from the new king. Whatever steps he took towards this goal clearly backfired, since it "earned him only scorn." Looking at the fill-in-the-blank options, you can eliminate "tasteful" and "exceptional" because these wouldn't explain the scornful reaction. "Lugubrious" makes the most sense here, as it means "an over-the-top or insincere display of grief."
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The girl was , nothing could ruin her good mood.
The girl was , nothing could ruin her good mood.
The sentence explicitly notes that "nothing could ruin her good mood." The correct answer must indicate she was always happy. "Irrepressible," meaning unable to be controlled, is the best choice among the answers.
The sentence explicitly notes that "nothing could ruin her good mood." The correct answer must indicate she was always happy. "Irrepressible," meaning unable to be controlled, is the best choice among the answers.
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The girl's opinions were of her reading, and were easily taken from those books.
The girl's opinions were of her reading, and were easily taken from those books.
If her opinions "were easily taken from those books," it means they were not different from the books contents. The correct answer will mean representative or embodying, the definition of "emblematic."
If her opinions "were easily taken from those books," it means they were not different from the books contents. The correct answer will mean representative or embodying, the definition of "emblematic."
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His denials were beginning to drown out his accuser's complaints.
His denials were beginning to drown out his accuser's complaints.
For the "denials" to "drown out" the "accuser's complaints," they must be much more noticeable. The correct answer must adequately reflect this level of strength. "Vociferous," meaning loudly expressive, is the best choice among the answers.
For the "denials" to "drown out" the "accuser's complaints," they must be much more noticeable. The correct answer must adequately reflect this level of strength. "Vociferous," meaning loudly expressive, is the best choice among the answers.
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Her tone was at odds with her desire to overthrow her superiors.
Her tone was at odds with her desire to overthrow her superiors.
The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with "her desire to overthrow her superiors." The correct answer will show she was trying to cover up her aggressive intentions. "Servile," meaning submissive or groveling, is the best choice among the answers.
The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with "her desire to overthrow her superiors." The correct answer will show she was trying to cover up her aggressive intentions. "Servile," meaning submissive or groveling, is the best choice among the answers.
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His stance put him at odds with his more conciliatory colleagues.
His stance put him at odds with his more conciliatory colleagues.
The missing word is contrasted with the colleagues being "more conciliatory." The correct answer has to indicate he is unwilling to compromise. "Belligerent," meaning hostile and war like, is the best choice among the answers.
The missing word is contrasted with the colleagues being "more conciliatory." The correct answer has to indicate he is unwilling to compromise. "Belligerent," meaning hostile and war like, is the best choice among the answers.
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The nature of the vehicle made it well loved despite its lack of style or luxury.
The nature of the vehicle made it well loved despite its lack of style or luxury.
The sentence explicitly says the vehicle has a "lack of style and luxury," but is "well loved." The correct answer will indicate its unglamorousness. "Utilitarian," meaning functional and basic, is the best choice among the answers.
The sentence explicitly says the vehicle has a "lack of style and luxury," but is "well loved." The correct answer will indicate its unglamorousness. "Utilitarian," meaning functional and basic, is the best choice among the answers.
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Despite his confrontational statements, he proved quite when he needed to make a deal.
Despite his confrontational statements, he proved quite when he needed to make a deal.
The sentence contrasts the missing word with his "confrontational statements." The correct answer will need to indicate that the subject was actually helpful. "Tractable," meaning obedient and dutiful, is the best choice among the answers.
The sentence contrasts the missing word with his "confrontational statements." The correct answer will need to indicate that the subject was actually helpful. "Tractable," meaning obedient and dutiful, is the best choice among the answers.
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By the end of his life, he had become and never stayed anywhere more than a few days.
By the end of his life, he had become and never stayed anywhere more than a few days.
The key phrase in the sentence is "never stayed anywhere more than a few days." This indicates the correct answer will mean moving around or unable to stay still. "Peripatetic," meaning nomadic or wandering, is the best choice.
The key phrase in the sentence is "never stayed anywhere more than a few days." This indicates the correct answer will mean moving around or unable to stay still. "Peripatetic," meaning nomadic or wandering, is the best choice.
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He was an complainer, and could find fault in anything.
He was an complainer, and could find fault in anything.
If the subject "could find fault in anything," then he is complaining quite a bit. This means the correct answer shoulod indicate a constancy or persistence. "Inveterate," meaning habitual or compulsive, is the best choice among the answers.
If the subject "could find fault in anything," then he is complaining quite a bit. This means the correct answer shoulod indicate a constancy or persistence. "Inveterate," meaning habitual or compulsive, is the best choice among the answers.
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