GRE Verbal: GRE Verbal: Vocabulary Practice Questions
Test yourself on GRE Verbal: Vocabulary with 10 original GRE practice questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback and a full explanation.
Free original practice questions for study purposes. Open Exam Prep is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the makers of GRE.
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1. Despite the senator's reputation for candor, her response to the scandal was notably _______, leaving reporters unsure of her actual position.
Explanation. The word 'Despite' signals a contrast with 'candor' (frankness). 'Equivocal' means deliberately ambiguous or evasive, which fits the contrast and explains why reporters were unsure. 'Forthright,' 'blunt,' and 'transparent' all reinforce candor rather than contrast with it.
2. Select the word that most nearly means 'to formally renounce a belief or claim.'
Explanation. 'Abjure' means to solemnly renounce or repudiate. The near-homophones differ: 'adjure' means to command earnestly, 'conjure' means to summon, and 'perjure' means to lie under oath.
3. The critic praised the novel's _______ prose, noting that not a single word could be removed without weakening the whole.
Explanation. The clue 'not a single word could be removed' indicates economy of language. 'Laconic' means using few words, concise. 'Verbose,' 'prolix,' and 'grandiloquent' all suggest excessive or inflated wordiness.
4. A 'pellucid' explanation is best described as one that is:
Explanation. 'Pellucid' means transparently clear, both literally (of water) and figuratively (of writing or speech). It derives from Latin 'lucidus' (light), unrelated to confusion or deception.
5. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence: The diplomat's _______ remarks managed to soothe both factions, offending neither while committing to nothing.
Explanation. 'Emollient' means having a softening or soothing effect, fitting 'soothe both factions.' 'Incendiary' inflames, 'caustic' is biting, and 'truculent' is aggressively hostile—all opposite to the context.
6. Which word is the closest antonym of 'ephemeral'?
Explanation. 'Ephemeral' means short-lived or transitory. 'Perpetual,' meaning lasting indefinitely, is its opposite. 'Fleeting,' 'transient,' and 'momentary' are all synonyms of ephemeral.
7. The committee dismissed his proposal as _______, arguing that its conclusions could not be supported by any verifiable evidence.
Explanation. 'Specious' means superficially plausible but actually false or lacking support, matching 'could not be supported by evidence.' 'Empirical' and 'substantiated' imply evidence-based, and 'cogent' means convincing—all contrary to the criticism.
8. A person described as 'phlegmatic' is best understood as:
Explanation. 'Phlegmatic' describes a temperament that is calm, composed, and slow to show emotion, derived from the old theory of bodily humors. It does not denote anger, energy, or illness.
9. Select the two answers that best complete the sentence so that the meaning is the same: Although the lecture was meant to clarify the theory, the professor's _______ digressions only served to obscure his main point.
Explanation. The contrast with 'clarify' and the result 'obscure his main point' require words meaning off-topic. 'Tangential' and 'extraneous' both mean irrelevant or unrelated. 'Pertinent/germane' (relevant), 'cogent/lucid' (clear), and 'succinct/terse' (brief) do not fit.
10. Which word most nearly means 'inclined to find fault or complain'?
Explanation. 'Querulous' means habitually complaining or peevish. 'Quizzical' means questioning or puzzled, 'quiescent' means inactive or dormant, and 'quixotic' means idealistically impractical.
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FAQ
How important is vocabulary on the GRE Verbal section?
Vocabulary is central: Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence questions hinge on knowing precise word meanings and connotations, and stronger vocabulary also speeds up Reading Comprehension. Memorizing words in context, with synonyms and antonyms, yields the biggest payoff.
What's the best way to learn GRE vocabulary efficiently?
Use spaced-repetition flashcards, group words by theme or root (e.g., Latin/Greek roots like 'luc-' = light), and always study words inside sentences so you grasp usage and tone. Reviewing high-frequency GRE word lists and reading challenging nonfiction reinforces retention.
How do I handle Sentence Equivalence questions where I must pick two answers?
First predict a word for the blank using the sentence's clues, then look for two options that are synonyms and both make the sentence coherent. Beware of trap pairs where two words are synonyms of each other but don't fit the meaning—the correct pair must satisfy both criteria.