Adjectives and Adverbs in One-Blank Texts - GRE Verbal
Card 1 of 3486
He was astonishingly , and frequently offended people as soon as he met them.
He was astonishingly , and frequently offended people as soon as he met them.
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The subject "frequently offended people," and the missing words indicates why. The correct answer will be a word noting an attitude that will offend people. "Guileless," meaning clumsily and straightforwardly honest, is the best choice among the answers.
The subject "frequently offended people," and the missing words indicates why. The correct answer will be a word noting an attitude that will offend people. "Guileless," meaning clumsily and straightforwardly honest, is the best choice among the answers.
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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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The man was quite intelligent, but his speech impediment made him seem .
The man was quite intelligent, but his speech impediment made him seem .
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The structure of the sentence indicates that the man was not seen as "quite intelligent," even if he really is. The correct answer should be an antonym of "intelligent." "Obtuse," meaning simple or dull, is the right choice.
The structure of the sentence indicates that the man was not seen as "quite intelligent," even if he really is. The correct answer should be an antonym of "intelligent." "Obtuse," meaning simple or dull, is the right choice.
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While many chefs swear by their cast iron skillets for frying, a more casual home cook will probably be happier with an aluminum pan, which is much lighter and possessed of a coating that reduces or eliminates sticking, making for easy clean-up.
While many chefs swear by their cast iron skillets for frying, a more casual home cook will probably be happier with an aluminum pan, which is much lighter and possessed of a coating that reduces or eliminates sticking, making for easy clean-up.
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The sentence is looking for an adjective to modify "aluminum" that helps to explain why casual cooks might prefer it to a cast iron skillet. Aluminum is already lighter than iron, so the missing word probably has something to do with the coating that is mentioned.
Since the word is preceded by "an" rather than "a," it must begin with a vowel, so "cumbersome" isn't correct (and besides, it means the opposite of lightweight). "Amalgamated" means "put together from several parts." That could potentially describe this aluminum pan, except the sentence doesn't say anything about what the alumnimum might have been put together with. "Ossified" means turned to bone, which seems like a bad way to improve an aluminum pan. "Undiluted" refers to a concentrated liquid and is nonsensical when applied to a metal pan. "Anodized" specifically means to apply a coating to a metal surface using electricity, so that is definitely the best word here.
The sentence is looking for an adjective to modify "aluminum" that helps to explain why casual cooks might prefer it to a cast iron skillet. Aluminum is already lighter than iron, so the missing word probably has something to do with the coating that is mentioned.
Since the word is preceded by "an" rather than "a," it must begin with a vowel, so "cumbersome" isn't correct (and besides, it means the opposite of lightweight). "Amalgamated" means "put together from several parts." That could potentially describe this aluminum pan, except the sentence doesn't say anything about what the alumnimum might have been put together with. "Ossified" means turned to bone, which seems like a bad way to improve an aluminum pan. "Undiluted" refers to a concentrated liquid and is nonsensical when applied to a metal pan. "Anodized" specifically means to apply a coating to a metal surface using electricity, so that is definitely the best word here.
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Trying to maximize the natural light in her room while still maintaining privacy, Susan chose her fabric curtain to be the most .
Trying to maximize the natural light in her room while still maintaining privacy, Susan chose her fabric curtain to be the most .
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Gossamer—something extremely light, flimsy, or delicate.
Gossamer—something extremely light, flimsy, or delicate.
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The fact that she first chose blue paint, then yellow, then green reinforced Marco’s frustration with his mother.
The fact that she first chose blue paint, then yellow, then green reinforced Marco’s frustration with his mother.
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Capricious—variable; flightly; mercurial.
Capricious—variable; flightly; mercurial.
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His costume, replete with stovetop hat and distinctive beard, was a convincing Abraham Lincoln; however, the digital watch on his wrist was a completely prop.
His costume, replete with stovetop hat and distinctive beard, was a convincing Abraham Lincoln; however, the digital watch on his wrist was a completely prop.
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Anachronistic—not in its correct historical or chronological time; an error in chronology.
Anachronistic—not in its correct historical or chronological time; an error in chronology.
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The legend about the abandoned house at the end of the block was almost certainly untrue.
The legend about the abandoned house at the end of the block was almost certainly untrue.
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Apocryphal—of doubtful authorship or authenticity.
Apocryphal—of doubtful authorship or authenticity.
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Although it recycled concepts from previous work, the musical arrangment was heralded by critics as .
Although it recycled concepts from previous work, the musical arrangment was heralded by critics as .
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The "although" here is a clue—it shows that despite using old material, the composition is the opposite of that. "Innovative" is the correct answer, meaning "advanced and original, featuring new methods." Don't confuse "ingenuous" with "ingenious"—it means "innocent."
The "although" here is a clue—it shows that despite using old material, the composition is the opposite of that. "Innovative" is the correct answer, meaning "advanced and original, featuring new methods." Don't confuse "ingenuous" with "ingenious"—it means "innocent."
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Volatile and , the President changed the administration's policies frequently.
Volatile and , the President changed the administration's policies frequently.
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The conjunction "and", as well as the comma, are clues here. So we're looking for a word that refers both to being volatile (changing rapidly and unpredictably) and changing frequently—the same thing. "Capricious" fits best—meaning "given to sudden changes in mood or behavior."
The conjunction "and", as well as the comma, are clues here. So we're looking for a word that refers both to being volatile (changing rapidly and unpredictably) and changing frequently—the same thing. "Capricious" fits best—meaning "given to sudden changes in mood or behavior."
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The guitar student in the apartment adjoining ours had talent; although the music reaching our apartment was anything but mellifluous, we could tell he possessed a latent sense of rhythm and musicality.
The guitar student in the apartment adjoining ours had talent; although the music reaching our apartment was anything but mellifluous, we could tell he possessed a latent sense of rhythm and musicality.
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The sentence states that although the guitar student doesn't produce beautiful music at the moment, he is advancing in his musical abilities. Thus, he has inchoate talent that is being formed.
The sentence states that although the guitar student doesn't produce beautiful music at the moment, he is advancing in his musical abilities. Thus, he has inchoate talent that is being formed.
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Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
Nearly all biologists accept the theory of evolution as put forth by Darwin as true; while many defend the theory from its detractors with a humble and calm demeanor, some are more aggressively in their arguments against these detractors.
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
Nearly all biologists accept the theory of evolution as put forth by Darwin as true; while many defend the theory from its detractors with a humble and calm demeanor, some are more aggressively in their arguments against these detractors.
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Some of the defenders of evolution as described in the sentence are calm when defending the theory, but others are implied to be more aggressive. "Vitriolic" means bitter or scathing, and therefore is the best choice for this sentence, as a more aggressive defender would likely be more scathing in their arguments with critics. While "pernicious" may look like a correct answer, it actually means causing harm gradually, so it doesn't make sense in the sentence.
Some of the defenders of evolution as described in the sentence are calm when defending the theory, but others are implied to be more aggressive. "Vitriolic" means bitter or scathing, and therefore is the best choice for this sentence, as a more aggressive defender would likely be more scathing in their arguments with critics. While "pernicious" may look like a correct answer, it actually means causing harm gradually, so it doesn't make sense in the sentence.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The physics professor's new theorem was so that no one in the undergraduate class could understand even its most basic principles.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The physics professor's new theorem was so that no one in the undergraduate class could understand even its most basic principles.
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Since no one could understand the professor's theorem, we know that the answer cannot be "lucid," which means clear. Similarly, it can't be "loquacious"—which means talkative or long-winded and is used to describe people, not ideas. We're not given any information to suggest that it is "ambiguous," meaning open to multiple interpretations, and while "erudite" (demonstrating great learning or knowledge) sounds like it could be correct because the sentence is talking about a professor in a classroom, the remaining answer choice, "esoteric," is most appropriate for describing a theorem that only the professor understands, as "esoteric" means able to be understood by few people with a specialized knowledge or interest.
Since no one could understand the professor's theorem, we know that the answer cannot be "lucid," which means clear. Similarly, it can't be "loquacious"—which means talkative or long-winded and is used to describe people, not ideas. We're not given any information to suggest that it is "ambiguous," meaning open to multiple interpretations, and while "erudite" (demonstrating great learning or knowledge) sounds like it could be correct because the sentence is talking about a professor in a classroom, the remaining answer choice, "esoteric," is most appropriate for describing a theorem that only the professor understands, as "esoteric" means able to be understood by few people with a specialized knowledge or interest.
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Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
The kiwi is New Zealand; being found nowhere else in the world, the bird makes an apt national symbol for the country.
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
The kiwi is New Zealand; being found nowhere else in the world, the bird makes an apt national symbol for the country.
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Because the Kiwi lives in New Zealand, we can eliminate "absent from" and "dearth in," as "dearth" means lack and is not used in a gramatically correct way in that answer choice (it is a noun, and you usually hear about "dearths of" things). Similarly, "insular in" is also gramatically incorrect, and doesn't fit the sentence ("insular" means ignorant about cultures one has never encountered). Since the kiwi not only lives in New Zealand, but it lives only in New Zealand and is "found nowhere else in the world," it is not only "extant in" (still existing in) New Zealand, it is "endemic to" the country—meaning that is found there, but nowhere else. So, "endemic to" is the correct answer.
Because the Kiwi lives in New Zealand, we can eliminate "absent from" and "dearth in," as "dearth" means lack and is not used in a gramatically correct way in that answer choice (it is a noun, and you usually hear about "dearths of" things). Similarly, "insular in" is also gramatically incorrect, and doesn't fit the sentence ("insular" means ignorant about cultures one has never encountered). Since the kiwi not only lives in New Zealand, but it lives only in New Zealand and is "found nowhere else in the world," it is not only "extant in" (still existing in) New Zealand, it is "endemic to" the country—meaning that is found there, but nowhere else. So, "endemic to" is the correct answer.
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Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
While many contemporary critics have hailed the poet's new collection as a triumph of creative expression, Humbert found the work to be and altogether dull.
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
While many contemporary critics have hailed the poet's new collection as a triumph of creative expression, Humbert found the work to be and altogether dull.
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The sentence implies that Humbert believes this work to be dull, and "prosaic" means common or uninspired, which makes it the best choice to finish this sentence, as it most closely aligns with the word "dull."
The sentence implies that Humbert believes this work to be dull, and "prosaic" means common or uninspired, which makes it the best choice to finish this sentence, as it most closely aligns with the word "dull."
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Choose the word that best completes the sentence below.
While the staunchly traditionalist politician proposed an uncompromising solution to the economic woes facing the nation, many dissident voices in the public felt the situation was not as as the politician had portrayed it.
Choose the word that best completes the sentence below.
While the staunchly traditionalist politician proposed an uncompromising solution to the economic woes facing the nation, many dissident voices in the public felt the situation was not as as the politician had portrayed it.
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The traditionalist politican proposed an "uncompromising solution," while the dissident voices of the public felt differently. The blank follows the phrase "not as . . .", thus, "unequivocal" is the correct choice, as the public felt the issue was more ambiguous than the politican made it out to be.
The traditionalist politican proposed an "uncompromising solution," while the dissident voices of the public felt differently. The blank follows the phrase "not as . . .", thus, "unequivocal" is the correct choice, as the public felt the issue was more ambiguous than the politican made it out to be.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The scathing review of the revered director's new movie found its author at odds with many fans of the director, many of whom promptly penned their own similarly responses to the critic.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The scathing review of the revered director's new movie found its author at odds with many fans of the director, many of whom promptly penned their own similarly responses to the critic.
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The critic's review was "scathing," so we can infer that it was negative in tone. The responses from fans of the director are implied to be similar in tone to the critic's original review, and thus "condemnatory" is the correct answer, as it means condemning in nature or speaking poorly of a subject.
The critic's review was "scathing," so we can infer that it was negative in tone. The responses from fans of the director are implied to be similar in tone to the critic's original review, and thus "condemnatory" is the correct answer, as it means condemning in nature or speaking poorly of a subject.
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Although Stephanie was normally loquacious, her teacher's incessant scolding due to her disruptive nature caused her to be more during history class.
Although Stephanie was normally loquacious, her teacher's incessant scolding due to her disruptive nature caused her to be more during history class.
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Since she was normally gregarious or sociable, Stephanie's teacher needed to scold her for being too talkative. Thus, to eliminate the scolding, Stephanie was "reticent," or reserved, during class.
Since she was normally gregarious or sociable, Stephanie's teacher needed to scold her for being too talkative. Thus, to eliminate the scolding, Stephanie was "reticent," or reserved, during class.
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After seeing her new and improved complexion, Sara's friends thought her glow was undoubtedly due to her recent switch to vegetarian meals.
After seeing her new and improved complexion, Sara's friends thought her glow was undoubtedly due to her recent switch to vegetarian meals.
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Based upon the statement that Sara has a glow due to her new diet, it indicates her diet is healthy and she is partaking in "salubrious" vegetarian meals.
Based upon the statement that Sara has a glow due to her new diet, it indicates her diet is healthy and she is partaking in "salubrious" vegetarian meals.
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Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
A rather individual, he could barely throw or catch a foam ball in gym class without tripping over his own feet and ending up on the floor.
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
A rather individual, he could barely throw or catch a foam ball in gym class without tripping over his own feet and ending up on the floor.
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Because our subject "trip\[s\] over his own feet," we're looking for a word that means clumsy. While "gauche," "artless," and "maladroit" may initially all appear to be likely choices, "gauche" specifically refers to awkwardness of a social, not physical, variety, and "artless" actually means without guile or deception. So, the answer is "maladroit"—ineffective, bungling, or clumsy.
Because our subject "trip\[s\] over his own feet," we're looking for a word that means clumsy. While "gauche," "artless," and "maladroit" may initially all appear to be likely choices, "gauche" specifically refers to awkwardness of a social, not physical, variety, and "artless" actually means without guile or deception. So, the answer is "maladroit"—ineffective, bungling, or clumsy.
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