One-Blank Texts - GRE Verbal
Card 1 of 8043
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.
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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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Many television executives believe the most important part of a show is a strong .
Many television executives believe the most important part of a show is a strong .
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The sentence explicitly deals with television shows. Of all the answer choices, only "protagonist," meaning the main character in a work of fiction, relates in any way to the making or analysis of a television show.
The sentence explicitly deals with television shows. Of all the answer choices, only "protagonist," meaning the main character in a work of fiction, relates in any way to the making or analysis of a television show.
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Complete the text by picking the best entry for each blank from the corresponding column of choices.
2. Mother Teresa so ardently pursued the of impoverished peoples' lives that she received international recognition for her compassion and generosity.
Complete the text by picking the best entry for each blank from the corresponding column of choices.
2. Mother Teresa so ardently pursued the of impoverished peoples' lives that she received international recognition for her compassion and generosity.
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"Decline" and "deterioration" would indicate that Mother Teresa was working towards impoverished peoples' lives getting worse, which does not make sense. "Conservation" and "preservation" could work as they would indicate that Mother Teresa was protecting impoverished people. "Amelioration", meaning betterment makes the most sense.
"Decline" and "deterioration" would indicate that Mother Teresa was working towards impoverished peoples' lives getting worse, which does not make sense. "Conservation" and "preservation" could work as they would indicate that Mother Teresa was protecting impoverished people. "Amelioration", meaning betterment makes the most sense.
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Though my mother had hoped that making me play football would rid me of my , the aggression of my fellow players only constrained me further.
Though my mother had hoped that making me play football would rid me of my , the aggression of my fellow players only constrained me further.
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Ridding her son of his "extroversion" would indicate that the mother wants to make her son less outgoing by making him join a football team, which does not make sense. "Mettle" means vigor of spirit, which is an attribute that joining the football team could probably strengthen, so that also does not make sense. "Assertiveness", or self-assurance, would also probably be strengthened by joining the football team. "Fatuity" is absurdity, which has nothing to do with constraint. "Diffidence", which means shyness, does make sense though.
Ridding her son of his "extroversion" would indicate that the mother wants to make her son less outgoing by making him join a football team, which does not make sense. "Mettle" means vigor of spirit, which is an attribute that joining the football team could probably strengthen, so that also does not make sense. "Assertiveness", or self-assurance, would also probably be strengthened by joining the football team. "Fatuity" is absurdity, which has nothing to do with constraint. "Diffidence", which means shyness, does make sense though.
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Mistaking Johnny's quiet for weakness, bullies looked upon him as an easy target.
Mistaking Johnny's quiet for weakness, bullies looked upon him as an easy target.
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"Loquacity," "exuberance," and "rambunctiousness" are all characteristics of loud people. "Intractability" would be used to describe someone stubborn, so that also does not make sense. "Docility," meaning yielding to authority, does make sense though.
"Loquacity," "exuberance," and "rambunctiousness" are all characteristics of loud people. "Intractability" would be used to describe someone stubborn, so that also does not make sense. "Docility," meaning yielding to authority, does make sense though.
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My grandmother is a dramatic woman, prone to fits of excessive weeping, uncontrollable laughter, and lengthy speeches about the of woes that have befallen her throughout her lifetime.
My grandmother is a dramatic woman, prone to fits of excessive weeping, uncontrollable laughter, and lengthy speeches about the of woes that have befallen her throughout her lifetime.
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"Probability," meaning likelihood, and "implausibility," meaning unlikelihood, do not make sense because the woes have already befallen the person's grandmother, so we would not be talking about them as uncertain events. "Dearth" and "scarcity" both mean lack of, which also does not make sense because the grandmother would not be complaining that she had not faced enough unfortunate events. "Plethora," meaning a lot of, makes much more sense.
"Probability," meaning likelihood, and "implausibility," meaning unlikelihood, do not make sense because the woes have already befallen the person's grandmother, so we would not be talking about them as uncertain events. "Dearth" and "scarcity" both mean lack of, which also does not make sense because the grandmother would not be complaining that she had not faced enough unfortunate events. "Plethora," meaning a lot of, makes much more sense.
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The foreign professor was surprisingly in English, considering he had only picked up the language a year ago.
The foreign professor was surprisingly in English, considering he had only picked up the language a year ago.
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While a few of the answer choices could fit, one will fit best. The sentence concerns language abilities, and the correct choice will describe that. "Eloquent," meaning fluent and impressive in speech, is the best fit.
While a few of the answer choices could fit, one will fit best. The sentence concerns language abilities, and the correct choice will describe that. "Eloquent," meaning fluent and impressive in speech, is the best fit.
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Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
Motivated by his for power, Alexander the Great invested all his resources in far-reaching military campaigns intended not only to amass territories but also gain the respect of local peoples.
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
Motivated by his for power, Alexander the Great invested all his resources in far-reaching military campaigns intended not only to amass territories but also gain the respect of local peoples.
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"Abhorrence," meaning hate, and "distaste," meaning dislike, do not work in the sentence, because they each would imply that Alexander wanted to avoid gaining more power. "Apathy," meaning indifference, would indicate that Alexander did not care very much about power, so that would not make sense either. "Fondness" could work, but the sentence is stressing just how much effort Alexander put into getting power, so "voracity," meaning hunger, is the better choice.
"Abhorrence," meaning hate, and "distaste," meaning dislike, do not work in the sentence, because they each would imply that Alexander wanted to avoid gaining more power. "Apathy," meaning indifference, would indicate that Alexander did not care very much about power, so that would not make sense either. "Fondness" could work, but the sentence is stressing just how much effort Alexander put into getting power, so "voracity," meaning hunger, is the better choice.
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Her mother's of her new friends made her want to see them more out of spite.
Her mother's of her new friends made her want to see them more out of spite.
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The daughter wishes to "spite" her mother because of her mother's feeling about "her new friends." Since she spites her mother by seeing them more, her mother must dislike her friends. "Disapprobation," meaning disapproval or condemnation, is the correct answer.
The daughter wishes to "spite" her mother because of her mother's feeling about "her new friends." Since she spites her mother by seeing them more, her mother must dislike her friends. "Disapprobation," meaning disapproval or condemnation, is the correct answer.
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His peculiar for hiring art students in his business set him apart from his competitors who would never think of it.
His peculiar for hiring art students in his business set him apart from his competitors who would never think of it.
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As his competitors would "never think of it," hiring art students is something peculiar and interesting for the subject of the sentence. The correct answer should mean a particular fondness for or inclination toward, the definition of "bent," when used as a noun.
As his competitors would "never think of it," hiring art students is something peculiar and interesting for the subject of the sentence. The correct answer should mean a particular fondness for or inclination toward, the definition of "bent," when used as a noun.
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The humanitarian effort was a and actually ended up harming some people it intended to help.
The humanitarian effort was a and actually ended up harming some people it intended to help.
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The "humanitarian effort" wound up "harming some people," which indicates that it was not successful. The correct answer will reflect the effort's failure and backfiring. "Debacle," meaning a disaster or complete failure, is the best choice.
The "humanitarian effort" wound up "harming some people," which indicates that it was not successful. The correct answer will reflect the effort's failure and backfiring. "Debacle," meaning a disaster or complete failure, is the best choice.
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In political races, often hold a distinct advantage over challengers with no experience in the job.
In political races, often hold a distinct advantage over challengers with no experience in the job.
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The sentence notes the missing word indicates people who have an advantage over people who have never held a position before. The correct answer will mean the current holders of a job or title, the definition of "incumbents."
The sentence notes the missing word indicates people who have an advantage over people who have never held a position before. The correct answer will mean the current holders of a job or title, the definition of "incumbents."
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The critics called the movie a , claiming it was derivative of too many things with no originality.
The critics called the movie a , claiming it was derivative of too many things with no originality.
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The sentence notes that critics believed the work was "derivative" and had "no originality." The correct answer needs to reflect this borrowing and copying. "Pastiche," meaning a work of art cobbled together from many different sources, is the best answer choice.
The sentence notes that critics believed the work was "derivative" and had "no originality." The correct answer needs to reflect this borrowing and copying. "Pastiche," meaning a work of art cobbled together from many different sources, is the best answer choice.
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Having no natural scholastic aptitude nor any commitment to improving myself, I was the in an elite private school, whose students regularly attended the top national universities.
Having no natural scholastic aptitude nor any commitment to improving myself, I was the in an elite private school, whose students regularly attended the top national universities.
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So it is clear that this person is different from classmates, who are generally much better students. So "status quo" and "standard" do not make sense because they mean the norm. "Dupe" or "ignoramus," both used to describe someone foolish, might have worked, but there is no contextual evidence for this person being stupid. "Anomaly," which means deviation, is a much better choice.
So it is clear that this person is different from classmates, who are generally much better students. So "status quo" and "standard" do not make sense because they mean the norm. "Dupe" or "ignoramus," both used to describe someone foolish, might have worked, but there is no contextual evidence for this person being stupid. "Anomaly," which means deviation, is a much better choice.
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Candidates, engaged in political debate, were once governed by a sense of propriety but now attack one another with the of wild beasts.
Candidates, engaged in political debate, were once governed by a sense of propriety but now attack one another with the of wild beasts.
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"Placidity," "impassivity," "froideur," and "stoicism" would all indicate that the political candidates seem detached from the debates, but this does not fit with the comparison to wild beasts. "Vehemence", meaning ferocity, is the best choice.
"Placidity," "impassivity," "froideur," and "stoicism" would all indicate that the political candidates seem detached from the debates, but this does not fit with the comparison to wild beasts. "Vehemence", meaning ferocity, is the best choice.
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Dictators, who have wanted to find scapegoats for problems, have found easy scapegoats in groups such as gypsies and mendicants, all of whom were often already.
Dictators, who have wanted to find scapegoats for problems, have found easy scapegoats in groups such as gypsies and mendicants, all of whom were often already.
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"Dominant" means powerful, so it would be difficult for a dictator to blame people, who are dominant in society. "Insiders," "accepted," and "welcome" would all describe people, who are very integrated in mainstream society. "Pariahs," meaning outcasts, would be the easiest targets, and thus that word is the best choice.
"Dominant" means powerful, so it would be difficult for a dictator to blame people, who are dominant in society. "Insiders," "accepted," and "welcome" would all describe people, who are very integrated in mainstream society. "Pariahs," meaning outcasts, would be the easiest targets, and thus that word is the best choice.
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While decried by critics as a , the President endorsed a number of democratic reforms while in office.
While decried by critics as a , the President endorsed a number of democratic reforms while in office.
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The word while points towards a shift in the sentence: although the critics believe one thing, the President does something different. The best fit is potentate, which means "one who rules with great power" as it is most starkly contrasted with democratic reform—more than a pariah (someone rejected by a social group) or philistine (one who is uncultured and not intellectual).
The word while points towards a shift in the sentence: although the critics believe one thing, the President does something different. The best fit is potentate, which means "one who rules with great power" as it is most starkly contrasted with democratic reform—more than a pariah (someone rejected by a social group) or philistine (one who is uncultured and not intellectual).
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The professor's progressive stood out among his more staid colleagues.
The professor's progressive stood out among his more staid colleagues.
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The fact the subject in the sentence is a professor is the best clue to the correct answer. Since it discusses the way one professor is different from "his more staid colleagues," the answer will have to do with teaching or academia. "Pedagogy," meaning a method or study of teaching, is the best choice.
The fact the subject in the sentence is a professor is the best clue to the correct answer. Since it discusses the way one professor is different from "his more staid colleagues," the answer will have to do with teaching or academia. "Pedagogy," meaning a method or study of teaching, is the best choice.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
In her paper, Linda wrote that people in power should try to stay focused on the big picture rather than the .
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
In her paper, Linda wrote that people in power should try to stay focused on the big picture rather than the .
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"Minutiae" means small details, and is the only choice that makes sense in context.
"Minutiae" means small details, and is the only choice that makes sense in context.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
There was old wisdom in the , but over time it had begun to lose its effect.
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
There was old wisdom in the , but over time it had begun to lose its effect.
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A saying that is repeated until losing its effect is likely to be a "platitude." An "ingenue" is a naïve, unsophisticated person.
A saying that is repeated until losing its effect is likely to be a "platitude." An "ingenue" is a naïve, unsophisticated person.
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