Adjectives and Adverbs in One-Blank Texts - GRE Verbal
Card 0 of 3486
He had a reputation of being _______________ as a young man, but he became a serene presence in his twilight years.
He had a reputation of being _______________ as a young man, but he became a serene presence in his twilight years.
The sentence contrasts the man's "serence presence" as he aged, with his younger reputation. The correct answer will mean the opposite of "serene." "Zany," meaning crazy or wacky, is the best choice among the answers.
The sentence contrasts the man's "serence presence" as he aged, with his younger reputation. The correct answer will mean the opposite of "serene." "Zany," meaning crazy or wacky, is the best choice among the answers.
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The general only adopted unusual methods when it became clear _____________ strategies would not work.
The general only adopted unusual methods when it became clear _____________ strategies would not work.
The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with the general's "unusual methods." The correct answer will effectively mean usual. "Conventional," meaning common or customary, is the correct answer.
The sentence explicitly contrasts the missing word with the general's "unusual methods." The correct answer will effectively mean usual. "Conventional," meaning common or customary, is the correct answer.
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Campfire cooking provided a ______________ experience none of the hikers would soon forget.
Campfire cooking provided a ______________ experience none of the hikers would soon forget.
The key word in the sentence is "cooking." The correct answer will be a word relating to cooking or eating. "Gustatory," meaning concerned with the sense of taste, is the correct answer.
The key word in the sentence is "cooking." The correct answer will be a word relating to cooking or eating. "Gustatory," meaning concerned with the sense of taste, is the correct answer.
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Thanks to his _______________ spending habits, he had saved quite a bit of money over the years.
Thanks to his _______________ spending habits, he had saved quite a bit of money over the years.
The sentence connects the subject's "spending habits" to his ability to save. The correct answer needs to indicate the man's spending habits were wise and careful enough to save money. "Judicious," meaning reasonable and smart in judgment, is the best choice.
The sentence connects the subject's "spending habits" to his ability to save. The correct answer needs to indicate the man's spending habits were wise and careful enough to save money. "Judicious," meaning reasonable and smart in judgment, is the best choice.
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More than anything else, the ability to make more money through bonuses as a salesman was _________________ in his decision to decline a promotion.
More than anything else, the ability to make more money through bonuses as a salesman was _________________ in his decision to decline a promotion.
The key phrase in the sentence is "more than anything else." The correct answer will stress the role the bonuses played in the decision. "Pivotal," meaning of central importance, is the best choice.
The key phrase in the sentence is "more than anything else." The correct answer will stress the role the bonuses played in the decision. "Pivotal," meaning of central importance, is the best 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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The motivational speech was an underwhelming recitation of ________________ cliches and lame jokes.
The motivational speech was an underwhelming recitation of ________________ cliches and lame jokes.
The sentence calls the speech "underwhelming," and pairs the missing word with "lame." The correct answer will further the disappointing nature of the speech. "Hackneyed," meaning common and overused, is the best choice.
The sentence calls the speech "underwhelming," and pairs the missing word with "lame." The correct answer will further the disappointing nature of the speech. "Hackneyed," meaning common and overused, is the best choice.
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Her _______________ manner was surprising, as her parents hardly ever spoke.
Her _______________ manner was surprising, as her parents hardly ever spoke.
The sentence calls the subject's manner "surprising" in light of her parent's quiet demeanor. The correct answer must stand against her parents' never speaking. "Loquacious," meaning very talkative, is the best choice.
The sentence calls the subject's manner "surprising" in light of her parent's quiet demeanor. The correct answer must stand against her parents' never speaking. "Loquacious," meaning very talkative, is the best choice.
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His ______________ approach to the sport soon was copied by competitors and quickly became the standard method.
His ______________ approach to the sport soon was copied by competitors and quickly became the standard method.
The approach to the sport "became the standard method" only after being "copied by competitors." This implies it was not the standard method at first, and the correct answer will reflect this. "Novel," meaning new and innovative, is the best choice.
The approach to the sport "became the standard method" only after being "copied by competitors." This implies it was not the standard method at first, and the correct answer will reflect this. "Novel," meaning new and innovative, is the best choice.
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The investor remained ____________ throughout the meeting, revealing none of his thinking.
The investor remained ____________ throughout the meeting, revealing none of his thinking.
The investor revealed "none of his thinking" in the meeting, indicating he said almost nothing. The correct answer will mean extremely quiet, which is the definition of "taciturn."
The investor revealed "none of his thinking" in the meeting, indicating he said almost nothing. The correct answer will mean extremely quiet, which is the definition of "taciturn."
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Both sides agreed the controversy needed a(n) _________________ party to help resolve the conflict.
Both sides agreed the controversy needed a(n) _________________ party to help resolve the conflict.
The party described by the missing word is attempting to resolve the "controversy." The correct answer needs to reflect a person who could work with both sides. "Disinterested," meaning unbiased or neutral, is the best answer choice.
The party described by the missing word is attempting to resolve the "controversy." The correct answer needs to reflect a person who could work with both sides. "Disinterested," meaning unbiased or neutral, is the best answer choice.
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She was ________________ enough to claim that she was not at a party, but she was caught on a surveillance camera.
She was ________________ enough to claim that she was not at a party, but she was caught on a surveillance camera.
To claim she was not where "she was caught on a surveillance camera," indicates that she was less than honest. The correct answer should mean prone to lying or deception, the definition of "mendacious."
To claim she was not where "she was caught on a surveillance camera," indicates that she was less than honest. The correct answer should mean prone to lying or deception, the definition of "mendacious."
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The film's ___________________ humor was looked down on by intellectual critics.
The film's ___________________ humor was looked down on by intellectual critics.
The film is "looked down on by the intellectual critics," meaning the humor is unappealing to intellectuals. The correct answer needs to mean the opposite of "intellectual." "Sophomoric," meaning juvenile or conceited, is the best fit.
The film is "looked down on by the intellectual critics," meaning the humor is unappealing to intellectuals. The correct answer needs to mean the opposite of "intellectual." "Sophomoric," meaning juvenile or conceited, is the best fit.
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The _________________ city councilman was an easy target for underworld bribery.
The _________________ city councilman was an easy target for underworld bribery.
The city councilman is "an easy target" for bribery. The correct answer needs to mean corruptible or able to be bribed, the definition of "venal."
The city councilman is "an easy target" for bribery. The correct answer needs to mean corruptible or able to be bribed, the definition of "venal."
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The book was highly derivative, with a ___________________ plotline.
The book was highly derivative, with a ___________________ plotline.
The plotline for a "highly derivative" book will be old and common, and the correct answer should illuminate this. "Cliché," meaning an overused and unoriginal phrase or idea, is the best choice.
The plotline for a "highly derivative" book will be old and common, and the correct answer should illuminate this. "Cliché," meaning an overused and unoriginal phrase or idea, is the best choice.
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Standing in the presence of his idol, he quickly became _____________ and unable to speak.
Standing in the presence of his idol, he quickly became _____________ and unable to speak.
The inability to speak "in the presence of his idol," indicates the subject was bothered and agitated, and the correct answer will reflect this. "Flustered," meaning worked up or problematically excited, is the best choice.
The inability to speak "in the presence of his idol," indicates the subject was bothered and agitated, and the correct answer will reflect this. "Flustered," meaning worked up or problematically excited, is the best choice.
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His ________________ lectures usually made half the class zone out after fifteen minutes.
His ________________ lectures usually made half the class zone out after fifteen minutes.
The fact the class would "zone out after fifteen minutes" indicates the lectures were quite boring and the correct answer will reflect this. "Soporific," meaning excessively drawn out and sleep inducing, is the correct answer.
The fact the class would "zone out after fifteen minutes" indicates the lectures were quite boring and the correct answer will reflect this. "Soporific," meaning excessively drawn out and sleep inducing, is the correct answer.
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No matter how hard his employees attempted to make him laugh, he retained his __________ demeanor.
No matter how hard his employees attempted to make him laugh, he retained his __________ demeanor.
If his employees try "to make him laugh," then the subject's demeanor is quite serious. The correct answer must mean boring or not humorous. "Stolid," meaning impassive or indifferent, is the best choice among the answers.
If his employees try "to make him laugh," then the subject's demeanor is quite serious. The correct answer must mean boring or not humorous. "Stolid," meaning impassive or indifferent, is the best choice among the answers.
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As she scanned the scene of the disaster, Laura knew she must remain __________ in a time of chaos, crisis, and tragedy, as she was a local politican and knew her constituents would look to her as a role model.
As she scanned the scene of the disaster, Laura knew she must remain __________ in a time of chaos, crisis, and tragedy, as she was a local politican and knew her constituents would look to her as a role model.
A disaster has occurred in the community described in the sentence, and Laura is a local politican. Many expect politicians to be strong, stable role models in such crises, and as such "stoic," which means enduring hardship without showing pain, is the best choice here.
A disaster has occurred in the community described in the sentence, and Laura is a local politican. Many expect politicians to be strong, stable role models in such crises, and as such "stoic," which means enduring hardship without showing pain, is the best choice here.
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William Wordsworth describes __________ days spent amidst nature and nature's tranquility in his literary works, particularly in the well-known poem entitled Daffodils.
William Wordsworth describes __________ days spent amidst nature and nature's tranquility in his literary works, particularly in the well-known poem entitled Daffodils.
In his poems, Wordsworth writes about halcyon days spent in the serenity and calm of nature. Thus, the best fit in describing his naturalistic poetry is to describe the days he portrays as halcyon.
In his poems, Wordsworth writes about halcyon days spent in the serenity and calm of nature. Thus, the best fit in describing his naturalistic poetry is to describe the days he portrays as halcyon.
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