GRE Verbal : Context Clues in One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors amazon store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

← Previous 1 3

Example Question #1 :One Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Raised in a wealthy and permissive home, Arthur developed the fatal tendency of indulging even the basest of his impulses; no one ever accused him of being__________.

Possible Answers:

blithe

abstemious

laconic

abrasive

hedonistic

Correct answer:

abstemious

Explanation:

We know that we are looking for a word that is the opposite of how Arthur has been described, since "no one has ever" characterized him this way. So we are looking for a word that is the opposite of indulgent, and since an "abstemious" person isa person who practices self-denial, abstemious is correct.

Example Question #1 :Conjunctions And Text Logic In One Blank Texts

Fill in the blanks with the best answer.

Rather than increasing the opportunities to drill for natural gas, the bill intends to__________oil production near national and state parks.

Possible Answers:

provoke

exonerate

concede

bolster

inhibit

Correct answer:

inhibit

Explanation:

"Inhibit" meansto keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level. The beginning of the sentence has the wordrather—this is a clue that what occurs on the other half of the sentence will be the opposite of what is stated before; in this case, the bill limits production rather than increasing it.

Example Question #3 :One Blank Texts

Fill in the blanks with the best answer.

Until now, the traditional narrative of Vincent Van Gogh's death was considered__________. New historical evidence, according to some scholars, could show that the artist was a victim of a murder.

Possible Answers:

unequivocal

dubitable

ambiguous

imprecise

invaluable

Correct answer:

unequivocal

Explanation:

"Unequivocal" meansnot subject to interpretation or more than one interpretation; in this case, there was only one way of explaining Van Gogh's death until new evidence arose. "Dubitable" here is an antonym of the correct word, meaning eitheropen to doubtorquestionable.

Example Question #1 :Context Clues In One Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

She was infuriated by her classmates’_________; she wanted to do something to fix the problems that everyone else seemed to accept as inevitable.

Possible Answers:

culpability

doggedness

quiescence

fervor

rebelliousness

Correct answer:

quiescence

Explanation:

“Quiescence” meanscomplacencyorpassive acceptance, which is the only answer choice that would infuriate someone with a desire to act.

Example Question #1 :Context Clues In One Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Although Todd tends to be___________, he used a conversation partner to help him learn French.

Possible Answers:

conscientious

autodidactic

sycophantic

fatuous

nimble

Correct answer:

autodidactic

Explanation:

“Autodidactic” describes someonewho learns on his own and teaches himself. The first phrase starting with “although” indicates that the word in the blank must be incompatible with using a conversation partner.

Example Question #6 :One Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Unlike Chuck, whom most would describe as extremely__________, Bill rarely said an unnecessary word.

Possible Answers:

magnanimous

tolerant

loquacious

laudable

reticent

Correct answer:

loquacious

Explanation:

Chuck is set up to be the opposite of Bill, who is quiet, so Chuck must be talkative. "Loquacious" meanstalkative, so it is the answer.

Example Question #7 :One Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Deborah disliked her teacher’s rambling speeches; she wished he were more__________.

Possible Answers:

loquacious

laconic

garrulous

dull

pedantic

Correct answer:

laconic

Explanation:

The word that fills in the blank must contrast with a teacher who rambles. Were Deborah’s teacher more "laconic" (that is, were he morebrief and to the point), then he would not likely deliver rambling speeches. "Loquacious" and "garrulous" both meantalkative, while "pedantic" meansstrictly concerned with formal rules and book learning.

Example Question #1 :One Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Many people criticized the mayor’s decision to ban sugary drinks. However, a small group__________his efforts to intertwine public health and public policy.

Possible Answers:

reprobated

foisted

lauded

epitomized

bemoaned

Correct answer:

lauded

Explanation:

The sentence makes a contrast between those who “criticized” the mayor’s decision and the way others responded. The adjective in the blank describes how this other “small group” reacted. "Lauded" meanspraised, which is the antonym of "criticized," and thus best completes the sentence.

Example Question #2 :One Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

While many people considered Peter to be a greedy__________, his closest friends knew that he had the virtue of great liberality.

Possible Answers:

miser

consumerist

libertarian

entrepreneur

conservative

Correct answer:

miser

Explanation:

The word "liberal" is used in many ways today—most of which have political overtones. Its more general meaning isgenerous, coming from the Latin for "free." It is related to words like "liberty" and "liberate." "Liberality" is the character trait of being very free and generous with one's money. This sentence begins with "while," indicating that although many people thought one thing about Peter, those who knew him well knew something different. In contrast to liberality, "miser" works well. A miser is someone who hoards his or her money, avoiding spending it at all.

Example Question #10 :One Blank Texts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

It was very difficult to guess what Justin would say, for he could engage in both__________and understatement within a three-second interval.

Possible Answers:

tautologies

lambasts

hyperbole

precocity

illogic

Correct answer:

hyperbole

Explanation:

The "both . . . and" being used in the second clause helps to unpack why it was difficult to know what Justin would say. It seems that he would say conflicting things—hence the difficulty in guessing his next words. "Understatement" is a way of speaking that doesn't really address the true depths of some reality. For instance, a horrible murder might be called "kind of bad" by someone. This would be an understatement of the case. A great contrast to this is "hyperbole," meaningan expression that greatly overstates the case. For instance, someone might say that the day is the "coldest day ever" when it is not even at the point of freezing but merely brisk.

← Previous 1 3

Tired of practice problems?

Try live online GRE prep today.

1-on-1 Tutoring
Live Online Class
1-on-1 + Class
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors