GRE Sentence Completion

1. The Countess dressed with a (an) ____ elegance which seemed to proclaim to the world just how distinguished she was. A. studied B. pronounced C. ingenuous D. understated E. mannered F. rococo

1. The Countess dressed with a (an) ____ elegance which seemed to proclaim to the world just how distinguished she was. A. studied B. pronounced C. ingenuous D. understated E. mannered F. rococo Correct Answer: AE Explanation: Almost any word might fit the blank so we have to look for the most similar pair of words. 'Rococo' means highly elaborate; 'understated' means low-key; 'pronounced' means obvious and 'ingenuous' means naïve. We are left with 'studied' and 'mannered' which both can have the connotation of deliberate and even pretentious. Note that both words can be used in other contexts too.

8. He completed the work with unusual ____ ; his need to get out of the office overcame his habitual torpor. A. dispatch B. grace C. effectiveness D. slovenliness E. carelessness F. celerity

8. He completed the work with unusual ____ ; his need to get out of the office overcame his habitual torpor. A. dispatch B. grace C. effectiveness D. slovenliness E. carelessness F. celerity Correct Answer: AF Explanation: If he overcame torpor (inactivity) he must have acted quickly; hence, 'dispatch' and 'celerity' are the best as they both mean speed. (Note the use of 'dispatch' as a noun.)

1. The prize competition was ____ as a showcase for new technology, but instead the competition was marred by disqualifications and disputes. A. disappointing B. conceived C. touted D. heralded E. promising F. required

1. The prize competition was ____ as a showcase for new technology, but instead the competition was marred by disqualifications and disputes. A. disappointing B. conceived C. touted D. heralded E. promising F. required Correct Answer: CD Explanation: Since the competition was spoiled it did not do what it set out to do. The word 'conceived' is a definite possibility, but there is no other word with a similar meaning. The word 'touted' can mean advertised, and so can 'heralded' (announced) both of which would complete the sentence sensibly.

10. Forgiveness was fine in theory, but she had trouble in accepting a religion that would allow ____ evil-doers access to heaven. A. repentant B. contrite C. blatant D. venial E. pardoned F. recalcitrant

10. Forgiveness was fine in theory, but she had trouble in accepting a religion that would allow ____ evil-doers access to heaven. A. repentant B. contrite C. blatant D. venial E. pardoned F. recalcitrant Correct Answer: AB Explanation: Taken individually, almost all the words except venial (minor) seem to fit. But we have to find two words which give the sentence the same meaning. Hence we need 'contrite' and 'repentant' which both imply feeling sorry for wrong-doing.

10. When faced with an urgent problem for which there is no immediately obvious solution, we tend to welcome any suggestion, however ____ , that might throw light on the dilemma. A. unusual B. hackneyed C. tentative D. outrageous E. illuminating F. flimsy

10. When faced with an urgent problem for which there is no immediately obvious solution, we tend to welcome any suggestion, however ____ , that might throw light on the dilemma. A. unusual B. hackneyed C. tentative D. outrageous E. illuminating F. flimsy Correct Answer: CF Explanation: If there is no obvious solution we might welcome any suggestion even a vague one. 'Flimsy' and 'tentative' imply hesitant and not firm. You cannot choose 'unusual' and 'outrageous' because outrageous is so much stronger than unusual that the meaning would not be close enough.

2. It is a waste of time to ____ someone so dimwitted; he is too dull to recognize your barbs. A. disparage B. ridicule C. lampoon D. laud E. enlighten F. train

2. It is a waste of time to ____ someone so dimwitted; he is too dull to recognize your barbs. A. disparage B. ridicule C. lampoon D. laud E. enlighten F. train Correct Answer: BC Explanation: The word 'barbs' implies insults. So we might be looking for a word that means 'insult'. The word 'disparage' fits the bill but does not have a similar word in the remaining choices. Of what is left we can focus on 'lampoon' and 'ridicule' which both mean to mock or deride - which imply making fun of someone to show up faults.

2. The new institute provides intensive postgraduate teaching to a wide range of students, in the hope that these students will use their knowledge to boost the country's ____ economy. A. languishing B. emerging C. booming D. domestic E. bankrupt F. flagging

2. The new institute provides intensive postgraduate teaching to a wide range of students, in the hope that these students will use their knowledge to boost the country's ____ economy. A. languishing B. emerging C. booming D. domestic E. bankrupt F. flagging Correct Answer: AF Explanation: If the economy needs boosting it is probably not doing well. Two similar words from the negative choices available are 'languishing' and 'flagging' both of which imply the economy is weak. (Note that 'flagging' has more than one meaning!)

3. Like other metaphors, the "book of Nature" has two facets: it is ____ but if taken literally, it may mislead. A. heuristic B. perceptive C. poetic D. insightful E. prosaic F. iconoclastic

3. Like other metaphors, the "book of Nature" has two facets: it is ____ but if taken literally, it may mislead. A. heuristic B. perceptive C. poetic D. insightful E. prosaic F. iconoclastic Correct Answer: BD Explanation: The 'but' indicates opposite ideas. The opposite of mislead would be something that helps us see clearly - making 'perceptive' and 'insightful' obvious choices. [Heuristic = serving to stimulate interest; prosaic = dull; iconoclastic = unorthodox]

3. The teacher was so abstracted that she gave a ____ evaluation of what was really an interesting solution to the problem she had set. A. philosophical B. cursory C. detailed D. considered E. perfunctory F. tangential

3. The teacher was so abstracted that she gave a ____ evaluation of what was really an interesting solution to the problem she had set. A. philosophical B. cursory C. detailed D. considered E. perfunctory F. tangential

4. Punishment for transgressions of the law ceases to have a deterrent effect if the punishment is frequently ____ . A. arbitrary B. changed C. waived D. lenient E. commuted F. applied

4. Punishment for transgressions of the law ceases to have a deterrent effect if the punishment is frequently ____ . A. arbitrary B. changed C. waived D. lenient E. commuted F. applied Correct Answer: CE Explanation: He sentence implies that under certain circumstances punishment for crime will not put off potential criminals. The point is to find two words which will point to the same circumstance. If a sentence or punishment is 'commuted' it is reduced or even 'waived' (not applied), thus providing the answer. [Arbitrary = random; lenient = not strict]

4. The increasing interactivity emerging in the latest computer systems means that the traditional view of the computer as a ____ of information now unduly limiting. A. gleaner B. transformer C. processor D. producer E. repository F. cache

4. The increasing interactivity emerging in the latest computer systems means that the traditional view of the computer as a ____ of information now unduly limiting. A. gleaner B. transformer C. processor D. producer E. repository F. cache Correct Answer: EF Explanation: Since the computer is more interactive it is no longer to be viewed as a passive tool. We need two words which both suggest a passive role for the computer. 'Repository' and 'cache' are words which are used for a storage place and thus, are the best answer.

5. Not only love affects the eye of the beholder; other emotions also ____ the interpretation of the events that we witness. A. cloud B. trigger C. devalue D. color E. objectify F. impact

5. Not only love affects the eye of the beholder; other emotions also ____ the interpretation of the events that we witness. A. cloud B. trigger C. devalue D. color E. objectify F. impact Correct Answer: DF Explanation: One word from the first part of the sentence seems to be what we need in the blank. The word is 'affects'. If we see this then we can choose words that will give the meaning 'affect the interpretation'. Obviously the word 'impact' fits. (Note that 'impact' is used as a verb here not a noun). For the other word we can consider 'cloud' and 'color', both of which can be used as verbs. To cloud would imply to obscure and would be negative, whereas to color is not necessarily negative. Hence we are better to take the words 'impact' and 'color' as they are less restrictive than 'cloud'.

5. Turing's life exerts a powerful and ____ effect on writers - the combination of the highly intellectual and the personally dramatic is hard to resist. A. abiding B. pervasive C. perennial D. irresistible E. unmitigated F. multifaceted

5. Turing's life exerts a powerful and ____ effect on writers - the combination of the highly intellectual and the personally dramatic is hard to resist. A. abiding B. pervasive C. perennial D. irresistible E. unmitigated F. multifaceted Correct Answer: AC Explanation: The problem here is simply to find two synonyms: abiding and perennial are the only possibility. Both mean 'lasting'.

6. As a result of his regimented upbringing, that left him unable to see the nuances of complex situations, he was often accused of being ____ . A. indecisive B. tyrannical C. obtuse D. boorish E. xenophobic F. imperceptive

6. As a result of his regimented upbringing, that left him unable to see the nuances of complex situations, he was often accused of being ____ . A. indecisive B. tyrannical C. obtuse D. boorish E. xenophobic F. imperceptive Correct Answer: CF Explanation: Someone who cannot see the nuances (shades of meaning) in a situation could be described as 'imperceptive'. Someone who is imperceptive can also be called 'obtuse' (mentally dull and slow to understand).

6. The human mind can often reject the most ____ data in favor of something that, though valueless, at least sounds familiar. A. anomalous B. inconsequential C. peripheral D. pertinent E. germane F. visible

6. The human mind can often reject the most ____ data in favor of something that, though valueless, at least sounds familiar. A. anomalous B. inconsequential C. peripheral D. pertinent E. germane F. visible Correct Answer: DE Explanation: The sentence implies that what is rejected has value but is discarded in favor of something valueless that sounds more familiar. Hence we are looking for words that convey 'valuable'. 'Germane' and 'pertinent' are best since they both mean relevant. [Anomalous = not fitting a pattern; inconsequential and peripheral = unimportant]

7. It is paradoxical that String Theory inspires such widespread respect when it is so ____ that few could ever hope to master its claims. A. intractable B. confusing C. elevated D. arcane E. obscure F. rigorous

7. It is paradoxical that String Theory inspires such widespread respect when it is so ____ that few could ever hope to master its claims. A. intractable B. confusing C. elevated D. arcane E. obscure F. rigorous Correct Answer: DE Explanation: The word 'arcane' means known only to a few people; it is, therefore, 'obscure'. As you can see, the sentence more or less defines the word 'arcane' so we can be sure we are correct.

7. ____ behavior never has the effect its practitioners hope for; the attempt to hide only draws attention to what is hidden. A. Misogynistic B. Puritanical C. Covert D. Miserly E. Prudish F. Camouflaging

7. ____ behavior never has the effect its practitioners hope for; the attempt to hide only draws attention to what is hidden. A. Misogynistic B. Puritanical C. Covert D. Miserly E. Prudish F. Camouflaging Correct Answer: BE Explanation: The second part of the sentence tells us we are looking for something that involves 'hiding'. Since puritanical and prudish are used for attempts to cover or hide what is shameful or immoral, they are the best pair. Covert means hidden or secret, but there is no partner for it. [Misogynistic = involving hatred of women; camouflaging = disguising]

8. Those with a reputation for ____ behavior seldom inspire respect: unwavering adherence to a viewpoint is more admired than flexibility. A. capricious B. bombastic C. dogmatic D. fickle E. honorable F. stalwart

8. Those with a reputation for ____ behavior seldom inspire respect: unwavering adherence to a viewpoint is more admired than flexibility. A. capricious B. bombastic C. dogmatic D. fickle E. honorable F. stalwart Correct Answer: AD Explanation: If an unchanging viewpoint is admired, then being changeable will not inspire respect. Therefore we need two words suggesting changeable: 'fickle' and 'capricious' both have that connotation. [Bombastic = arrogant; dogmatic = forcefully insistent; stalwart = brave and loyal]

9. The courtiers of the time had to be ____ in order to survive in an atmosphere where the least sign of rebellion could lead to banishment or worse. A. taciturn B. fawning C. docile D. self-serving E. upright F. servile

9. The courtiers of the time had to be ____ in order to survive in an atmosphere where the least sign of rebellion could lead to banishment or worse. A. taciturn B. fawning C. docile D. self-serving E. upright F. servile Correct Answer: BF Explanation: Anyone who has to toe the line and show no sign of rebellion is likely to be docile (easily lead) or taciturn (quiet) but these words do not have synonyms in the answer choices. However, 'servile' (groveling and sycophantic) does have a synonym - 'fawning'.

9. When Smithers took over as chairperson, her colleagues were looking forward to a less confrontational time on the board of governors, since they reasoned that no one else was likely to be as ____ as her predecessor. A. mordant B. aggressive C. flexible D. bellicose E. complaisant F. jaundiced

9. When Smithers took over as chairperson, her colleagues were looking forward to a less confrontational time on the board of governors, since they reasoned that no one else was likely to be as ____ as her predecessor. A. mordant B. aggressive C. flexible D. bellicose E. complaisant F. jaundiced Correct Answer: BD Explanation: A word from the earlier part of the sentence fits the meaning of the blank; that word is 'confrontational'. Once you see that then it should be easy to find 'bellicose' and 'aggressive' which both imply hostility. [mordant = bitingly sarcastic; complaisant = easy-going; jaundiced = negative in outlook]