46 GRE Verbal Practice Questions – Text Completions

Answers and Solutions

1. dramatic

2. nullifies

3. vivacious

4. chaotic … flaunt

5. lose

6. rationalize … justifying … advantageous

7. fundamental … mundane … catalyst for

8. exert

9. picturesque … an exquisite

10. implications

11. preconceived … an impoverished

12. fails … inherently

13. sensitive to

14. dilapidated…high

15. sound … belied

16. alternative

17. profession

18. polarized … negligible … deference

19. jaded … indiscretions

20. precarious

21. growth … fallen

22. austere

23. enigmatic

24. prejudice

25. drivel … to entertain

26. integrate

27. immediacy … pragmatism

28. advocating

29. protest … overcrowding

30. neglectful

31. castigated … stable

32. increased … a loss

33. an anathema … desirable

34. evil … sophistication

35. reticent … amiable

36. predisposition … cataclysmic

37. menace … non-ecofriendly

38. usefulness … accepted

39. youthful

40. conflicting … unequivocally

41. profiling … influential

42. penchant … matriarchal

43. tropical

44. rampaging … irony

45. hyperbole

46. bravado

47. If the public expects a comedian to always make them laugh, then they might not accept a comedian in a serious role. Hence, the directors would be loath (reluctant) to cast a comedian in a dramatic role.

48. The phrase “all but” implies that the debate was a make-or-break event for the candidate. Suppose the candidate did well. Then his spirits would be high, and we would expect the missing word to be positive. However, a positive word in the phrase “all but ________ any hope” is awkward. Hence, the candidate must have done poorly in the debate and had his hopes for election nixed. So we turn to the answer-choices looking for “nixed.” It’s not there, but a synonym—nullifies—is.

49. Since no connecting word—such as and, for, so, etc.—follows the comma, the phrase “seemingly with an endless reserve of energy” defines the missing word. Now, a person with an endless reserve of energy would be lively, which is the meaning of vivacious.

50. Recognize that the phrase “dismantled by war and its development clogged by illiteracy” is in apposition to the first blank. Such description would best be described as chaotic. The phrase “In spite of” lets us know that the locals do not feel how one would expect them to about their country. Thus, instead of feeling what we’d expect—disgrace—they take pride in their country, or flaunt their nationalism.

51. “Yet” draws a contrast between what one would expect an Atheist to do (renounce faith in God) and what Liharev did (maintained faith in God). In other words, he did not lose faith in God.

52. This is an example of a multiple blank question in which the answers heavily depend on each other. The sentence following the colon is in apposition to the sentence in front of it. For this question, perhaps the easiest blank to answer first is Blank 3, “_____ to him but injurious to others,” which can be solved without referencing the rest of the sentence. “But” sets up a contradiction between “injurious” and the blank, which must mean “beneficial,” or advantageous. Now, reread the entire sentence with “advantageous” in the blank. If someone is performing acts that help himself but hurt others, the first blank must mean something like “support.” The word here, then, is rationalize. Reread the sentence with both blanks filled in. If a person is rationalizing evil, then they are “supporting”—or justifying—that belief system.

53. Start with the second blank. In the sentence structure—“drab, ______ DMV”—one can deduce that the blank is synonymous with “drab” — mundane. Now, turn to the third blank. The phrase “who would have believed” implies that the reality is the opposite of what one would expect. Now, one would not expect the drab DMV to be a catalyst for creativity. Return to the first sentence. If people are inspired by a drab location, then people’s desire for expression must not come from the exterior, it must come from within—it is fundamental.

54. The sentence implies that even when Erikson knows he is taking the wrong path in life, he still cannot stop. That is, he cannot exert free will.

55. The sentence implies that the location, though having splendid natural settings, is distressed by the ongoing battle. We can observe from the structure of the sentence that both blanks explain the natural beauty of the location. The author implies that if the location had no overtones of the battlefield, it would have been a picturesque airfield in an exquisite part of the North.

56. The sentence is saying that although a word may not be explicitly sexist it may contain sexist connotations or implications.

57. One would reasonably assume, preconceive, that a state where parents are alleged to have sold their children in exchange for food is an impoverished state. Note, “impoverished” is the second-best choice for blank two. Although an impoverished state is probably impotent, impoverished describes the situation better.

58. Since man is violent, any useful theory of conflict resolution must incorporate this fact. Thus, any one that fails to account for it is inherently flawed.

59. The clause “whereas in a totalitarian regime, no one is listening” implies that a democracy does listen to protests. In other words, it is sensitive to protests.

60. “Although” sets up a contrast between what the property values are (high) and what one would expect them to be in a dilapidated (run down) community.

61. If the business were not sound, his irritability would belie (contradict) his claim that the business was sound.

62. The word “exhausted” implies that all other actions (alternatives) have been tried.

63. The sentence is pointing out that as a practical matter the legal profession pursues the truth through a rough and tumble path.

64. The second sentence contains the phrase “for example,” indicating that it provides clarification for the previous sentence. An argument over where to place a comma, then, indicates that the subjects of debate are often negligible (insignificant). If sides are arguing merely to gain power over the other side, then politics have become polarized. Finally, if both sides are struggling for power, then they wouldn’t give in—or show deference to the other side.

65. A financial scandal is an indiscretion; and it may not have made the front page because the public was jaded (worn out) by an excess of scandals.

66. The sentence is suggesting that it is risky—or precarious—to discuss certain subjects regardless of what you say.

67. “Although” sets up a contrast between what happened in the market over a two year period (growth) and what happened in some shorter periods during that time—it fell.

68. A complement is something that makes up a whole, bringing it to perfection. Of the answer-choices offered, only austere could complement “love” in such a manner.

69. We are told that the author is gracious, yet she makes the churlish comment: “My novels are to sophisticated for the American public.” Such a comment would be considered enigmatic, as it is so out of her character.

70. “Nevertheless” points out a contrast in how the judge felt (prejudice) and how he acted (without prejudice).

71. “Condemnatory” implies that the word in the blank must mean something negative—drivel. The word “pretentious” indicates that the writer believes that the critics take themselves and movies too seriously. That is, the main purpose of a movie is merely to entertain.

72. Man is a social being; to function properly, he needs to be an integral part of society. When a person fails to integrate himself into society, he often feels alienated and incomplete, which, without a social support system, can lead to suicide. The author believes that those who commit suicide do so because they are unable to integrate themselves into the society.

73. According to the author, the core issue involves a hard, practical point that is to be dealt with a pragmatic approach. Pragmatism means “practical approach.” The author stresses the immediacy of the situation since it is raising life-threatening issues.

74. The general is accusing the senator of being naive (unsophisticated) for believing—or advocating—that air strikes alone could stop the aggressors.

75. People are likely to protest a plan that they believe will cause gridlock. If they are protesting it, then, it must cause more negative effects, such as overcrowding.

76. “Though” sets up a contrast between “magnanimous” (charitable) and neglectful.

77. The sentence is implying that no one could have foreseen the collapse of the Soviet Union, so the intelligence community should not be criticized—or castigated—for also not foreseeing it. The author gives an example of an expert, and if the author is defending the intelligence community, then the expert must not have foreseen it either, seeing it rather as a stable society.

78. In a shortage, fuel prices would increase. The sentence is pointing out, however, that in spite of the higher prices the suppliers saw a loss in profits.

79. The sentence is pointing out the difference between the attitudes of people in the ‘50s and the attitudes today. If Americans accept it today, then it used to be a curse—or an anathema—in the 50’s. The opposite of a curse would be desirable.

80. The writer is pointing out that one who overcomes evil is more admirable than one who is born simple, lacking the sophistication to be bad.

81. If no peace treaty has been signed after 50 years, then the countries are probably reticent (reluctant) to develop more amiable (friendly) relations.

82. The author makes a distinction between two types of people who commit suicide—one type that can’t bear tragic—or cataclysmic—events, and those who are born with an inclination—or predisposition—to commit suicide.

83. The second clause states that worldwide steps are being taken to ban plastic. The word “and” joining the two clauses of the sentence indicates that the first clause should provide a reason for the worldwide ban of plastic. The reason is that plastic is proving to be a menace to the environment. The second blank needs to be filled by a word that supports the statement and shows the negative consequences of plastic usage. The suitable word is non-ecofriendly.

84. The conjunction “and” in the phrase “Despite its _______ and safety” indicates that the missing word has a positive meaning because “safety” has a positive meaning. Since the sentence is implying that the drug is useful in curing depression and anxiety, it is expected that the drug would be widely used. But “despite” implies that the drug is not widely accepted.

85. The word “age” in the sentence implies that the missing word is characteristic of age. Youthful fits well: Despite her advanced age, she has a youthful sense of humor.

86. The word “and” in the phrase “different and ________ versions” indicates that the missing word is similar in meaning to the word “different.” Now, different versions of an event can be conflicting. Furthermore, a dastardly act needs to be condemned unequivocally.

87. The show was organized to tell the stories of successful celebrities. By profiling these celebrities, the show narrates the stories of the influential newsmakers from all walks of life.

88. Since hyenas eat carrion (decaying flesh), they have an inclination—or penchant—for it. A society ruled by females is called matriarchal.

89. The word “both” in the statement implies there are two different types of sunscreen. Since one is internal, the other one should be external or at least of a different type. The choices “territorial,” “atmospheric,” “regional,” and “polar” do not imply the opposite of internal. However, a “topical” treatment is applied to body surfaces, usually the skin. This is the opposite of internal treatment.

90. The first sentence describes AIDS as a big threat; it also describes another disease that is unreported and is on a greater rampage. Yet, the author says there is a cure for this silent killer. It is ironic that the silent killer causes more harm than AIDS, yet it is curable.

91. The statement implies that Michael is certainly not the greatest American actor but seems to Julianne by comparison. To believe him to be the greatest actor would be to indulge in hyperbole.

92. The word “only” in the first clause limits the meaning of courage: They have courage, but only to a point. The word “bluff” in the second clause indicates that their courage is merely bluster. This is the meaning of bravado.