Text Completion - GRE Verbal

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 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 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 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.

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.

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 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 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 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 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.

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."

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 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 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 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 sentence makes a contrast between those who “criticized” the mayor’s decision and the way others responded. The adjective in the blank describes how this other “small group” reacted. "Lauded" means praised, which is the antonym of "criticized," and thus best completes the sentence.

“Quiescence” means complacency or passive acceptance, which is the only answer choice that would infuriate someone with a desire to act.

“Autodidactic” describes someone who learns on his own and teaches himself. The first phrase starting with “although” indicates that the word in the blank must be incompatible with using a conversation partner.

Chuck is set up to be the opposite of Bill, who is quiet, so Chuck must be talkative. "Loquacious" means talkative, so it is the answer.