Parts of Speech in One-Blank Texts - GRE Verbal
Card 0 of 7875
She was ___________ for her unusual approach to the test, but her success vindicated her.
She was ___________ for her unusual approach to the test, but her success vindicated her.
If "success vindicated her," then presumably she had to be vindicated for something. This means her "unusual approach" was looked down on. "Disparaged," meaning to be criticized and dismissed, is the correct answer.
If "success vindicated her," then presumably she had to be vindicated for something. This means her "unusual approach" was looked down on. "Disparaged," meaning to be criticized and dismissed, is the correct answer.
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She was rarely impulsive, and always had to __________ a great deal over decisions.
She was rarely impulsive, and always had to __________ a great deal over decisions.
A few answer choices could work in the sentence, but once will work best. If "she was rarely impulsive," then she made her decisions carefully. "Cogitate," meaning to ponder and think over deeply, is the best answer choice.
A few answer choices could work in the sentence, but once will work best. If "she was rarely impulsive," then she made her decisions carefully. "Cogitate," meaning to ponder and think over deeply, is the best answer choice.
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Each side claimed the other __________ the conflict, asserting that their fighting was in self-defense.
Each side claimed the other __________ the conflict, asserting that their fighting was in self-defense.
The sides both claim "self-defense," which indicates that they blame the other side for starting the conflict. The correct answer should mean to start or provoke, the definition of "instigate."
The sides both claim "self-defense," which indicates that they blame the other side for starting the conflict. The correct answer should mean to start or provoke, the definition of "instigate."
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The speech was promised to be somber, but quickly moved into a joyous __________.
The speech was promised to be somber, but quickly moved into a joyous __________.
The sentence specifically notes the missing word is "joyous." The sentence also contrasts the missing word with its intended "somber" tone. "Panegyric," meaning a praising and laudatory speech, is the best choice anong the answers.
The sentence specifically notes the missing word is "joyous." The sentence also contrasts the missing word with its intended "somber" tone. "Panegyric," meaning a praising and laudatory speech, is the best choice anong the answers.
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The __________ on the glass gave the boy's hand a large cut.
The __________ on the glass gave the boy's hand a large cut.
The boy in the sentence received a "large cut" due to the missing word being on the glass. This means the correct answer will indicate something sharp and able to cut a hand. "Serration," meaning a jagged edge, is the best choice among the answers.
The boy in the sentence received a "large cut" due to the missing word being on the glass. This means the correct answer will indicate something sharp and able to cut a hand. "Serration," meaning a jagged edge, is the best choice among the answers.
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The poor test score was a complete __________ for the straight-A student.
The poor test score was a complete __________ for the straight-A student.
The sentence notes the "straight A student" got a "poor test score." The correct answer must therefore indicate the fact this score was unexpected. "Aberration," meaning a deviation from the normal, is the best choice among the answer.
The sentence notes the "straight A student" got a "poor test score." The correct answer must therefore indicate the fact this score was unexpected. "Aberration," meaning a deviation from the normal, is the best choice among the answer.
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The gunslinger attempted to put up a brave __________, but his posse knew he was actually quite scared.
The gunslinger attempted to put up a brave __________, but his posse knew he was actually quite scared.
The sentence contrasts the fact the "posse" knew he was "quite scared," with the "brave" missing word. The correct answer must indicate an appearance or look of bravery. "Facade," meaning the front facing of a building, here used metaphorically, is the best choice among the answers.
The sentence contrasts the fact the "posse" knew he was "quite scared," with the "brave" missing word. The correct answer must indicate an appearance or look of bravery. "Facade," meaning the front facing of a building, here used metaphorically, is the best choice among the answers.
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In the face of further government crackdowns, the different groups now formed a _________ of opposition to the regime.
In the face of further government crackdowns, the different groups now formed a _________ of opposition to the regime.
The sentence notes that "different groups" came together against the government. The correct answer needs to indicate a unification. "Monolith," meaning a united force or singular front, is the best choice among the answers.
The sentence notes that "different groups" came together against the government. The correct answer needs to indicate a unification. "Monolith," meaning a united force or singular front, is the best choice among the answers.
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The gang was able to __________ the jewels through befriending and tricking the guard.
The gang was able to __________ the jewels through befriending and tricking the guard.
The "gang" did something with the jewels by "tricking the guard." This means they got past the guard, presumably to commit a crime. "Purloin," meaning to acquire in a suspicious or illegal manner, is the correct answer.
The "gang" did something with the jewels by "tricking the guard." This means they got past the guard, presumably to commit a crime. "Purloin," meaning to acquire in a suspicious or illegal manner, is the correct answer.
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Many hopeful members of the political party believed this campaign was an __________ to earlier successes.
Many hopeful members of the political party believed this campaign was an __________ to earlier successes.
The "hopeful members of the political party" are seeing earlier successes in this new campaign. This means the correct answer will show they see the earlier campaigns are a model. "Analogue," meaning something similar or a corresponding happenstance, is the best choice among the answers.
The "hopeful members of the political party" are seeing earlier successes in this new campaign. This means the correct answer will show they see the earlier campaigns are a model. "Analogue," meaning something similar or a corresponding happenstance, is the best choice among the answers.
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Once his wife passed away, he began to __________ the times he could not spend with her.
Once his wife passed away, he began to __________ the times he could not spend with her.
The sentence discusses a man that "could not spend time" with a wife who "passed away," leading to the missing word. The correct answer needs to indicate a desire to have spent time with her. "Rue," meaning regret or sorrow, is the best choice.
The sentence discusses a man that "could not spend time" with a wife who "passed away," leading to the missing word. The correct answer needs to indicate a desire to have spent time with her. "Rue," meaning regret or sorrow, is the best choice.
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The __________ of the story diminished over time, as she added more non factual details to the narrative.
The __________ of the story diminished over time, as she added more non factual details to the narrative.
The storyteller keeps adding "non factual details to the narrative." This indicates she is decreasing the story's believability or acceptability, the definition of "plausibility," which is the correct answer.
The storyteller keeps adding "non factual details to the narrative." This indicates she is decreasing the story's believability or acceptability, the definition of "plausibility," which is the correct answer.
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The teenager hoped the fact he was just tagging along with friends would _______________ him from the underage drinking charge.
The teenager hoped the fact he was just tagging along with friends would _______________ him from the underage drinking charge.
Both the teenager's excuse, "tagging along," and the "charge" indicate he is trying to get out from under something. The correct answer should mean to free someone from blame, the definition of "exculpate."
Both the teenager's excuse, "tagging along," and the "charge" indicate he is trying to get out from under something. The correct answer should mean to free someone from blame, the definition of "exculpate."
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After receiving a credit card, he used it to _____________ a large amount of debt quite quickly.
After receiving a credit card, he used it to _____________ a large amount of debt quite quickly.
A credit card is the avenue for building debt, and getting a "large amount . . . quite quickly" means he built it up. "Amass," meaning to gather or accumulate, is the correct answer.
A credit card is the avenue for building debt, and getting a "large amount . . . quite quickly" means he built it up. "Amass," meaning to gather or accumulate, is the correct answer.
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The boxer's greatest attribute was his __________, as he almost never got punched out or beat down.
The boxer's greatest attribute was his __________, as he almost never got punched out or beat down.
The sentence actually describes the missing word as meaning the boxer "never got punched out or beat down." This means the correct answer has to indicate toughness or strength. "Resilience," meaning perseverance or an ability to come back, is the best choice among the answers.
The sentence actually describes the missing word as meaning the boxer "never got punched out or beat down." This means the correct answer has to indicate toughness or strength. "Resilience," meaning perseverance or an ability to come back, is the best choice among the answers.
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Although the plan was perfectly figured out, a random __________ threw them off and doomed it to failure.
Although the plan was perfectly figured out, a random __________ threw them off and doomed it to failure.
The sentence describes a plan "perfectly figured out," which nonetheless was "doomed to failure." This indicates the correct answer will mean something that harms even perfect planning. "Vagary," meaning an unaccountable problem or freak mistake, is the best choice among the answers.
The sentence describes a plan "perfectly figured out," which nonetheless was "doomed to failure." This indicates the correct answer will mean something that harms even perfect planning. "Vagary," meaning an unaccountable problem or freak mistake, is the best choice among the answers.
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The coach's brief return from retirement served as a __________ to his distinguished career.
The coach's brief return from retirement served as a __________ to his distinguished career.
The sentence notes the coach has made a "return from retirement," which is necessarily at the end of his "distinguished career." The correct answer will indicate an extra part of his career. "Coda," meaning the last part of a musical work, and used generally to mean a finale, is the best choice among the answers.
The sentence notes the coach has made a "return from retirement," which is necessarily at the end of his "distinguished career." The correct answer will indicate an extra part of his career. "Coda," meaning the last part of a musical work, and used generally to mean a finale, is the best choice among the answers.
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Many elementary school teachers find a good portion of their day is spent as __________ between children who are fighting.
Many elementary school teachers find a good portion of their day is spent as __________ between children who are fighting.
The sentence describes teachers being placed between "children who are fighting." Since they are teachers, it is safe to assume they are attempting to stop the fights. "Arbitrators," meaning a mediator or the judge of a dispute, is the best answer choice.
The sentence describes teachers being placed between "children who are fighting." Since they are teachers, it is safe to assume they are attempting to stop the fights. "Arbitrators," meaning a mediator or the judge of a dispute, is the best answer choice.
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His writing was full of __________ that were intended to challenge his readers.
His writing was full of __________ that were intended to challenge his readers.
The missing word is "intended to challenge his readers." The correct answer must indicate something confusing or hard to understand. "Paradoxes," meaning contradictory but true statements, is the best answer choice.
The missing word is "intended to challenge his readers." The correct answer must indicate something confusing or hard to understand. "Paradoxes," meaning contradictory but true statements, is the best answer choice.
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The __________ of terrorist groups throughout the country had law enforcement highly concerned.
The __________ of terrorist groups throughout the country had law enforcement highly concerned.
The sentence notes two key facts, that the groups are "throughout the country" and that they have made "law enforcement highly concerned." The correct answer needs to indicate that the "terrorist groups" are spreading and disseminating, the definition of "proliferation."
The sentence notes two key facts, that the groups are "throughout the country" and that they have made "law enforcement highly concerned." The correct answer needs to indicate that the "terrorist groups" are spreading and disseminating, the definition of "proliferation."
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