One-Blank Texts - GRE Verbal
Card 0 of 8043
It quickly became apparent she had no for the night of the crime.
It quickly became apparent she had no for the night of the crime.
The key phrase in the sentence is "for the night of the crime," and the correct answer will have to do in some way with crime. "Alibi," a term for a verifiable claim of not being at a crime scene, is the correct answer.
The key phrase in the sentence is "for the night of the crime," and the correct answer will have to do in some way with crime. "Alibi," a term for a verifiable claim of not being at a crime scene, is the correct answer.
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The Senator was a well known , with an unusual and unpredictable voting record.
The Senator was a well known , with an unusual and unpredictable voting record.
The Senator's "unusual and unpredictable voting record" is the best clue to finding the correct answer. The best fit will indicate the Senatory's unique habits. "Iconoclast," meaning someone who goes against standard thinking, is the correct answer.
The Senator's "unusual and unpredictable voting record" is the best clue to finding the correct answer. The best fit will indicate the Senatory's unique habits. "Iconoclast," meaning someone who goes against standard thinking, is the correct answer.
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The young associate had a peculiar tendency toward at the most serious moments.
The young associate had a peculiar tendency toward at the most serious moments.
The structure of the sentence places "serious moments" at odds with the missing word. The correct answer will need to be an antonym of "serious." "Levity," meaning lightness or flippancy, is the best answer choice.
The structure of the sentence places "serious moments" at odds with the missing word. The correct answer will need to be an antonym of "serious." "Levity," meaning lightness or flippancy, is the best answer choice.
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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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The doctors decided the man was insane after he spent days incoherently to himself
The doctors decided the man was insane after he spent days incoherently to himself
All the answer choices could fit in this sentence, but one choice will fit better than the others. The key word in the sentence is "incoherently," which describes the missing word. "Gibbering," meaning to make random and meaningless noises, is the correct answer.
All the answer choices could fit in this sentence, but one choice will fit better than the others. The key word in the sentence is "incoherently," which describes the missing word. "Gibbering," meaning to make random and meaningless noises, is the correct answer.
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Despite his boasting, the scientist could never his claims with evidence.
Despite his boasting, the scientist could never his claims with evidence.
The scientist had no evidence "despite his boasting," and the "never" means the correct answer will be a word indicating support. "Substantiate," meaning to verify with evidence, is the best choice.
The scientist had no evidence "despite his boasting," and the "never" means the correct answer will be a word indicating support. "Substantiate," meaning to verify with evidence, is the best choice.
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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 or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
In order to speed the candidate's hiring, many of the usual requirements were .
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
In order to speed the candidate's hiring, many of the usual requirements were .
The hiring process is sped up for the candidate, despite the "usual requirements." The correct answer will show the requirements were eliminated in the candidate's particular case. "Waived," meaning let go or dismissed, is the best choice.
The hiring process is sped up for the candidate, despite the "usual requirements." The correct answer will show the requirements were eliminated in the candidate's particular case. "Waived," meaning let go or dismissed, is the best choice.
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Although he believed he was the perfect candidate, he never the man who received the promotion instead.
Although he believed he was the perfect candidate, he never the man who received the promotion instead.
The sentence contrasts the candidate's belief in his perfection with the way he approached the promoted man. The correct answer will show there was never any ill will from the candidate. "Begrudged," meaning to resent, is the best fit in the sentence.
The sentence contrasts the candidate's belief in his perfection with the way he approached the promoted man. The correct answer will show there was never any ill will from the candidate. "Begrudged," meaning to resent, is the best fit in the sentence.
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The company's board slowly around the plan of buying out their competitor.
The company's board slowly around the plan of buying out their competitor.
The board eventually agreed, as the sentence indicates the board decided on the plan to sell. The correct answer will describe the board coming together "around the plan." "Congealed," meaning to solidify, is the best fit among the answer choices.
The board eventually agreed, as the sentence indicates the board decided on the plan to sell. The correct answer will describe the board coming together "around the plan." "Congealed," meaning to solidify, is the best fit among the answer choices.
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The entire city block had to be to make room for the new arena.
The entire city block had to be to make room for the new arena.
The city block is in the way of the new arena, which is why it has "to make room for the new arena." The correct answer will indicate the block was destroyed for the arena. "Razed," meaning completely destroyed or flattened, is the best choice.
The city block is in the way of the new arena, which is why it has "to make room for the new arena." The correct answer will indicate the block was destroyed for the arena. "Razed," meaning completely destroyed or flattened, is the best choice.
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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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