GRE Sentence Equivalence Advanced Questions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Despite his reputation for candor, the senator's reply was so ______ that reporters left the briefing no clearer than before. Which pair best completes the sentence?
- evasive ... equivocal (Correct answer)
- forthright ... blunt
- concise ... terse
- earnest ... sincere
Correct answer: evasive ... equivocal
Both 'evasive' and 'equivocal' convey deliberate vagueness, matching the reporters' confusion.
Question 2: The critic praised the novel's ______ structure, noting that its seemingly random episodes ultimately formed a deliberate pattern. Which pair fits?
- chaotic ... disordered
- intricate ... elaborate (Correct answer)
- simple ... plain
- rigid ... inflexible
Correct answer: intricate ... elaborate
'Intricate' and 'elaborate' both describe a complex yet purposeful design revealed at the end.
Question 3: Far from being ______, the new policy actually entrenched the very inequalities it claimed to address. Which two words complete it?
- remedial ... corrective (Correct answer)
- punitive ... harsh
- ambiguous ... vague
- temporary ... fleeting
Correct answer: remedial ... corrective
'Remedial' and 'corrective' both mean intended to fix, contrasting ironically with entrenching inequality.
Question 4: Her ______ for detail made her an exacting editor whom careless writers came to dread. Which pair works?
- indifference ... apathy
- fastidiousness ... punctiliousness (Correct answer)
- tolerance ... leniency
- contempt ... disdain
Correct answer: fastidiousness ... punctiliousness
'Fastidiousness' and 'punctiliousness' both denote meticulous attention, explaining why she was exacting.
Question 5: The diplomat's ______ manner disarmed even his fiercest opponents, who found it impossible to remain hostile. Which two words complete it?
- abrasive ... grating
- affable ... genial (Correct answer)
- aloof ... distant
- pompous ... grandiose
Correct answer: affable ... genial
'Affable' and 'genial' both mean friendly and warm, explaining why hostility faded.
Question 6: Although celebrated in his lifetime, the composer fell into such ______ that few today recognize his name. Which pair fits?
- obscurity ... oblivion (Correct answer)
- prominence ... renown
- controversy ... scandal
- prosperity ... affluence
Correct answer: obscurity ... oblivion
'Obscurity' and 'oblivion' both mean being forgotten, matching the modern lack of recognition.
Question 7: The scientist warned that drawing conclusions from a single trial was ______, urging colleagues to await replication. Which two words complete it?
- prudent ... judicious
- premature ... precipitate (Correct answer)
- definitive ... conclusive
- exhaustive ... thorough
Correct answer: premature ... precipitate
'Premature' and 'precipitate' both mean hasty, justifying the call to wait for replication.
GRE Sentence Equivalence Advanced Questions 2
Despite his reputation for candor, the senator's reply was so ______ that reporters left the briefing no clearer than before.
Which pair best completes the sentence?