GRE Practice Test (Verbal Reasoning) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Select the word that best completes the sentence: "Although the critic was usually ______, her review of the new novel was surprisingly generous and warm."
- acerbic (Correct answer)
- magnanimous
- loquacious
- diffident
Correct answer: acerbic
"Acerbic" means sharp or harsh, contrasting with the surprisingly generous review.
Question 2: In Text Completion, which word fits: "The committee's decision was so ______ that even its harshest opponents could find no fault with the reasoning."
- arbitrary
- tenuous
- cogent (Correct answer)
- specious
Correct answer: cogent
"Cogent" means clear and convincing, which is why opponents found no fault.
Question 3: Sentence Equivalence: Choose the word that produces a sentence equivalent in meaning to one using "abundant": "Resources in the region were ______."
- scarce
- plentiful (Correct answer)
- depleted
- concealed
Correct answer: plentiful
"Plentiful" is a synonym for "abundant," producing equivalent meaning.
Question 4: Reading Comprehension: An author who writes that a theory is "elegant but ultimately unfalsifiable" most likely views the theory as:
- both beautiful and scientifically rigorous
- appealing yet not testable against evidence (Correct answer)
- outdated and irrelevant
- deliberately deceptive
Correct answer: appealing yet not testable against evidence
"Unfalsifiable" means it cannot be tested, despite being aesthetically appealing.
Question 5: Select the word: "The professor's lectures were so ______ that students often left more confused than when they arrived."
- lucid
- abstruse (Correct answer)
- concise
- engaging
Correct answer: abstruse
"Abstruse" means difficult to understand, explaining the students' confusion.
Question 6: Text Completion: "Far from being a ______ figure, the diplomat was known for bold initiatives and decisive action."
- dynamic
- timorous (Correct answer)
- controversial
- charismatic
Correct answer: timorous
"Timorous" means timid, contrasting with bold and decisive.
Question 7: Which pair of words could both complete this Sentence Equivalence: "His ______ remarks offended nearly everyone at the dinner."
- caustic / mordant (Correct answer)
- genial / cordial
- vague / unclear
- lengthy / brief
Correct answer: caustic / mordant
"Caustic" and "mordant" both mean bitingly critical, fitting remarks that offend.
GRE Practice Test (Verbal Reasoning) 2
Select the word that best completes the sentence: "Although the critic was usually ______, her review of the new novel was surprisingly generous and warm."