GRE Verbal : Nouns in One-Blank Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
His __________ for statistics led him to be the natural choice for study partner to help prepare for finals.
acumen
obtuseness
ineptness
nescience
acumen
Acumen—keen insight; shrewness.
Example Question #2 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Although once a prized racehorse, the recent accident will surely cause the young stallion to __________.
founder
prosper
flourish
avail
founder
Founder—to sink; to fail utterly.
Example Question #3 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
The construction foreman required his workers to exercise caution around the worksite, as a recent __________ of workplace accidents left him wary of another incident.
lack
dearth
retaliation
affirmation
spate
spate
"Spate" is the correct answer, as it means a group of events occurring one after another in a short amount of time. The construction site is implied to have had enough accidents to justify increased caution.
Example Question #4 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
The archeologists found arrowheads, coins, and many __________ of broken pottery during their excavation.
platitudes
talismans
augurs
shards
digressions
shards
For this blank, we're looking for a noun that refers to pieces of broken pottery. "Shards," which means pieces of broken pottery, is the best answer.
Example Question #5 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted into the sentence, best completes the sentence.
Self confidence is a(n) __________ for success; those who lack it simply will not be successful.
requisite
cadence
engagement
quality
condition
requisite
"Requisite" means that something is necessary and most accurately completes the sentence. The sentence indicates that self confidence is not merely helpful or sufficient for achieving success, but is essential. For that reason, "requisite" is a better answer than "condition" or "quality," the only other answers that could potentially complete the sentence.
Example Question #6 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
Many have thought the period from 400–1400 AD as one of a lone period of barbarism and . This view neglects the fact that this time period features two pivotal revivals of learning—the so-called "Carolingian Renaissance" and the "Renaissance of the 12th century."
stultification
stupor
bloodshed
depredation
indolence
stultification
None of the answers to this question are ideal; however, the sense of the second sentence indicates that it is a question of "learning." Perhaps the most tempting words are "stupor" or "indolence." The first, however, deals with a state of being dazed, not necessarily lack of intellectual acumen. The latter indicates laziness. The closest word on the list would be "stultification," which can mean the process of making of one become stupid.
Example Question #5 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
When considering an argument, it is necessary to know its . You must know both from whence it has proceeded and whither it is going.
inspiration
premises
implications
conclusions
termini
termini
The key word in the second sentence is "both." It is particularly tempting to choose "premises," "conclusions," or "implications;" However, these do not deal two cases—a "both" fulfilling the "whence" and "whither." The only word that really fits that is "termini" —as strange as it might seem in this context.
Example Question #6 : Nouns In One Blank Texts
The professor's new calculations of the earth's age was seen as a major ___________ in the scientific community, ostracizing him from his peers.
heresy
breakthrough
restoration
reformation
achievement
heresy
The fact that the professor was ostracized means his calculations were at the very least controversial and against the prevailing thought of the scientific community. Breakthrough and achievement do not have the kind of disagreement indicated in the sentence, while restoration and reformation do not convey the appropriate level of hatred for the professor's ideas.
Example Question #31 : One Blank Texts
The actor's unplanned and unannounced _____________ from the film set left the producers wondering where he went.
arrival
resplendence
eulogy
appearance
hiatus
hiatus
The fact the producers of the film did not know where the actor went indicate he had gone somewhere. Hiatus, meaning a pause or leave of absence, fits best in the context of the sentence.
Example Question #31 : One Blank Texts
Underestimated by her teachers, the kindergartner showed surprising _____________ on her intelligence test.
equivalency
acuity
timidity
torpidity
punctuality
acuity
The two words that give the best context for the sentence are "intelligence" and "underestimated." Both words indicate the kindergartner showed smarts and ability beyond her teachers assumptions. Only acuity, meaning "mental sharpness," fits the appropriate meaning.
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