Section 4. Verbal Reasoning
- A What would characterize an editorial with “grand” claims? A good word
is bombasticism. - B If the efforts “inevitably overlook” certain features, then the efforts are
problematic. - C The word in the blank concerns what the complaints are about. Since they
concern a worker’s salary and are addressing misconceptions about salary, the
best choice is inequities. - A and E Start with the second blank; “contentiousness” is a good clue. The
word closest in meaning is adversarial. The word in the first blank refers to
something they attempted but failed at. If the relationship was still adversarial,
then they failed to rectify it. - B and D The first blank describes someone who “demanded all the facts.” The
best choice is skeptical. “However” indicates that her defense is the opposite of
her skepticism. The best choice is steadfast. - C and D The word in the first blank is a synonym for self-denial: abnegation.
The word in the second blank supports the claim that the person in question
did not practice self-denial. What kind of tastes would such a person have?
A good choice is indulgent. - C The portion in bold is a consideration against the argument’s main
conclusion that “researchers predict that the pill will become the primary
mode of nicotine cessation.” - B The author discusses how Freud might be a social critic to lead up to his
larger point that the only appropriate categorization for Freud is as a “genius.” - A The author provides these examples in the context of the discussion of
Freud’s genius. These examples serve to highlight what the author thinks
constitutes genius. - A The author uses “ameliorated” in reference to the impact that the
application of psychological principles would have on the situation in the first
paragraph. Since the situation in the first paragraph is negative, the use of
these principles would be to “improve” the situation. - B and F The physicist’s relationship with the university was based on his
“frustration.” A good prediction is “dissatisfied.” Of the choices, the words
closest in meaning to dissatisfied are disaffection with and alienation from. - B and D The word in the blank contrasts with “consensus.” Of the blanks, the
best words are divergence and discord. - A and D The word in the blank clarifies the executive’s claim that “the two
companies are not rivals.” If they are not rivals, then his company’s success did
not “prevent” the other company’s success. The words closest in meaning to
“prevent” are preclude and hamper. - A and D The word in the blank describes the relationship between a sport
and the skills of that sport. The point of the second part of the sentence is that
the skills of athletes in neglected sports are similar to those of athletes in well-
known sports. Thus, the sport’s popularity and reputation are irrelevant. - C “Idioms” is used in reference to the different architectural styles that
developed during the period.
CHAPTER 16 ■ PRACTICE TEST 2 56705-GRE-Test-2018_463-582.indd 567 12/05/17 12:14 pm