1
Verbal Measure
Sample Test A
Directions: Each question below consists of a word
printed in capital letters, followed by five lettered words
or phrases. Choose the lettered word or phrase that is
most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capital
letters.
Directions: In each of the following questions, a related
pair of words or phrases is followed by five lettered pairs
of words or phrases. Select the lettered pair that best
expresses a relationship similar to that expressed in the
original pair.
Since some of the questions require you to distinguish
fine shades of meaning, be sure to consider all the
choices before deciding which one is best.
A6. PEDIATRICS : CHILDREN ::
A1. TURBULENCE:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
moderation
tranquillity
immunity
correlation
meditation
make soluble
separate electrolytically
combine with oxygen
saturate with water
expose to hydrogen
A3. LOLL:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
comply readily
move vigorously
describe exactly
notice incidentally
insist strongly
A4. PERENNIAL:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
predictable
latent
engrossing
infertile
fleeting
dermatology : skin
pathology : medicine
meteorology : forecasts
neurology : psychologists
ecology : environmentalists
A7. CREASE : FOLDING ::
A2. DEHYDRATE:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
serration : braiding
hole : perforating
dent : weakening
break : setting
gouge : cracking
A8. LUBRICATE : ABRASION ::
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
burnish : decomposition
vent : distillation
tamp : adhesion
seal : leakage
irrigate : drainage
A9. ASTROLOGY : ASTRONOMY ::
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
alchemy : chemistry
homeopathy : zoology
mythology : classics
pedagogy : philosophy
phenomenology : linguistics
GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE.
A5. BANAL:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
faithful
arresting
inclined
forced
elaborate
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2
Directions: Each sentence below has one or two blanks, each
blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath the
sentence are five lettered words or sets of words. Choose the
word or set of words for each blank that best fits the meaning of
the sentence as a whole.
A10. Heavily perfumed white flowers, such as gardenias, were
favorites with collectors in the eighteenth century, when
_____ was valued much more highly than it is today.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
scent
beauty
elegance
color
variety
A11. In a most impressive demonstration, Pavarotti sailed
through Verdi’s “Celeste Aїda,” normally a tenor’s _____,
with the casual enthusiasm of a folk singer performing one
of his favorite _____.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
pitfall. .recitals
glory. .chorales
nightmare. .ballads
delight. .chanteys
routine. .composers
A12. Cynics believe that people who _____ compliments do so
in order to be praised twice.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
bask in
give out
despair of
gloat over
shrug off
Directions: After reading the passage that follows, choose the
best answer to each question. Answer all questions following
the passage on the basis of what is stated or implied in the
passage.
All of Francoise Duparc’s surviving paintings blend
portraiture and genre. Her subjects appear to be acquaintances whom she has asked to pose; she has captured both
their self-consciousness and the spontaneity of their
(5) everyday activities, the depiction of which characterizes
genre painting. But genre painting, especially when it
portrayed members of the humblest classes, was never
popular in eighteenth-century France. The Le Nain
brothers and Georges de La Tour, who also chose such
(10) themes, were largely ignored. Their present high standing
is due to a different, more democratic political climate
and to different aesthetic values: we no longer require
artists to provide ideal images of humanity for our moral
edification but rather regard such idealization as a falsifi(15) cation of the truth. Duparc gives no improving message
and discreetly refrains from judging her subjects. In brief,
her works neither elevate nor instruct. This restraint
largely explains her lack of popular success during her
lifetime, even if her talent did not go completely unrecog(20) nized by her eighteenth-century French contemporaries.
A13. According to the passage, modern viewers are not likely to
value which of the following qualities in a painting?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
The technical elements of the painting
The spontaneity of the painting
The moral lesson imparted by the painting
The degree to which the painting realistically depicts
its subject
(E) The degree to which the artist’s personality is revealed
in the painting
A14. If the history of Duparc’s artistic reputation were to follow
that of the Le Nain brothers and Georges de La Tour,
present-day assessments of her work would be likely to
contain which of the following?
(A) An evaluation that accords high status to her work
(B) Acknowledgement of her technical expertise but
dismissal of her subject matter as trivial
(C) Agreement with assessments made in her own time
but acknowledgements of the exceptional quality of a
few of her paintings
(D) Placement of her among the foremost artists of her
century
(E) A reclassification of her work as portraiture rather
than genre painting
GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE.
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pages in their entirety in limited quantities for teaching purposes only. No commercial use or further distribution is permitted. Individuals or agencies
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08541 or visit www.ets.org/legal.
3
A15. It can be inferred from the passage that the term “genre
painting” would most likely apply to which of the following?
(A) A painting depicting a glorious moment of victory
following a battle
(B) A painting illustrating a narrative from the Bible
(C) A portrayal of a mythological Greek goddess
(D) A portrayal of a servant engaged in his work
(E) A formal portrait of an eighteenth-century king
A16. The argument of the passage best supports which of the
following contentions concerning judgments of artistic work?
(A) Aesthetic judgments can be influenced by the political
beliefs of those making the judgment.
(B) Judgments of the value of an artist’s work made by his or
her contemporaries must be discounted before a true
judgment can be made.
(C) Modern aesthetic taste is once again moving in the
direction of regarding idealistic painting as the most
desirable form of painting.
(D) In order to be highly regarded, an artist cannot be solely
identified with one particular kind of painting.
(E) Spontaneity is the most valuable quality a portrait painter
can have.
STOP
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08541 or visit www.ets.org/legal.
4
Verbal Measure
Sample Test B
Directions: Each question below consists of a word printed
in capital letters, followed by five lettered words or phrases.
Choose the lettered word or phrase that is most nearly
opposite in meaning to the word in capital letters.
Directions: In each of the following questions, a related pair
of words or phrases is followed by five lettered pairs of
words or phrases. Select the lettered pair that best expresses
a relationship similar to that expressed in the original pair.
Since some of the questions require you to distinguish fine
shades of meaning, be sure to consider all the choices before
deciding which one is best.
B6. SUBPOENA : WITNESS ::
B1. INTREPID:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
morbid
forbearing
temperate
apprehensive
abundant
B2. PRECURSORY:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
derivative
ephemeral
original
essential
solid
B3. DISPARATE:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
homogeneous
cumulative
invariable
cooperative
cogent
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
suborn : judge
tax : worker
elect : officer
conscript : soldier
hire : laborer
B7. MALAPROPISM : VERBAL ::
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
heresy : moral
hoax : cognitive
gaffe : social
feint : martial
perjury : legislative
B8. PARENTHESIS : EXPLANATION ::
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
synopsis : affectation
apostrophe : annotation
synthesis : interpolation
ellipsis : omission
asterisk : exaggeration
GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE.
B4. FULMINATION:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
repetition
addition
ratification
praise
escape
B5. PREDILECTION:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
unwillingness to choose
desire to please
ambiguity
stereotype
propensity to dislike
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5
Questions B9 and B10 are based on the following reading
passage.
In early-twentieth-century England, it was fashionable to
claim that only a completely new style of writing could
address a world undergoing unprecedented transformation —
just as one literary critic recently claimed that only the new
“aesthetic of exploratory excess” can address a world
undergoing . . . well, you know. Yet in early-twentiethcentury England, T. S. Eliot, a man fascinated by the
“presence” of the past, wrote the most innovative poetry of his
time. The lesson for today’s literary community seems
obvious: a reorientation toward tradition would benefit
writers no less than readers. But if our writers and critics
indeed respect the novel’s rich tradition (as they claim to),
then why do they disdain the urge to tell an exciting story?
B10. In the context of the passage as a whole, “address”
is closest in meaning to
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
reveal
belie
speak to
direct attention toward
attempt to remediate
B9. The author of the passage suggests that
present-day readers would particularly
benefit from which of the following
changes on the part of present-day writers
and critics?
(A) An increased focus on the importance of
engaging the audience in a narrative
(B) Modernization of the traditional
novelistic elements already familiar to
readers
(C) Embracing aspects of fiction that are
generally peripheral to the interest of
readers
(D) A greater recognition of how the
tradition of the novel has changed over
time
(E) A better understanding of how certain poets
such as Eliot have influenced fiction of
the present time
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6
Directions: For each blank select one entry from the
corresponding column of choices. Fill all blanks in the way
that best completes the text.
B11. The narratives that vanquished peoples have created
of their defeat have, according to Schivelbusch, fallen
into several identifiable types. In one of these, the
vanquished manage to (i)__________ the victor’s
triumph as the result of some spurious advantage, the
victors being truly inferior where it counts. Often the
winners (ii)__________ this interpretation, worrying
about the cultural or moral costs of their triumph and
so giving some credence to the losers’ story.
Blank (i)
anoint
construe
acknowledge
Blank (ii)
take issue with
disregard
collude in
B13. Of course anyone who has ever perused an
unmodernized text of Captain Clark’s journals knows
that the Captain was one of the most (i)__________
spellers ever to write in English, but despite this
(ii)__________ orthographical rules, Clark is never
unclear.
Blank (i)
fastidious
indefatigable
defiant
Blank (ii)
disregard for
partiality toward
unpretentiousness about
B12. That the President manages the economy is an
assumption (i)__________ the prevailing wisdom that
dominates electoral politics in the United States. As a
result, presidential elections have become referenda
on the business cycle, whose fortuitous turnings are
(ii)__________ the President. Presidents are properly
accountable for their executive and legislative
performance, and certainly their actions may have
profound effects on the economy. But these effects
are (iii)__________. Unfortunately, modern political
campaigns are fought on the untenable premise that
Presidents can deliberately produce precise economic
results.
Blank (i)
at odds with
peripheral to
central to
Blank (ii)
justifiably
personified in
erroneously
attributed to
occasionally
associated with
Blank (iii)
usually longlasting
regrettably
unnoticeable
largely
unpredictable
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these pages in their entirety in limited quantities for teaching purposes only. No commercial use or further distribution is permitted. Individuals or
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Princeton, NJ 08541 or visit www.ets.org/legal.
7
GRE Verbal Measure
Answers
Sample Test A
Antonyms
A1
Even if you do not recognize turbulence, you may recognize the first part of the word in
disturb, to confuse or throw into disorder. The best opposite of turbulence (unrest) is
therefore tranquillity, Choice B.
A2
To dehydrate is to make dry or to remove the water from; its opposite, therefore, is D, to
saturate with water.
A3
To loll is to droop or to move in a slow or lazy way. The opposite is B, to move vigorously.
A4
Note that the –ennial part of perennial is similar to annual; both mean year or years. Since
per means through, perennial means through the years, or lasting. The closest opposite word is
E, fleeting.
A5
Something that is banal is ordinary or boring or lacking in originality. The opposite, arresting,
Choice B, refers to something that is striking and that catches the imagination. To answer this
difficult question correctly, you have to go to an uncommon meaning of a form of the word
arrest.
Analogies
A6
The first term (pediatrics) is the branch or type of medical practice that treats the second
term (children). Therefore, the correct answer is A.
A7
The first term (crease) results from or is caused by the second term (folding). Only choice B
(a hole is caused by perforating) expresses this same relationship.
A8
One lubricates in order to prevent or avoid abrasion. Similarly, one seals to avoid leakage,
as in D.
A9
Astrology is an early and nonscientific form of astronomy, just as alchemy is an early and
nonscientific form of chemisty, as in A.
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8
Sentence Completions
A10
This is a simple sentence that makes a statement about the value of “heavily perfumed white
flowers.” The answer must agree with a characteristic of such flowers. Therefore, Choice A,
scent, is the correct answer.
A11
The sentence tells us that the tenor Pavarotti “sailed through” (that is, easily performed) an aria
with “casual enthusiasm”; other tenors obviously found the aria very difficult. Choice A,
pitfall, and Choice C, nightmare, are both possible for the first blank. In looking at the second
blank, you can see that ballads fits very well, thus making C the best answer.
A12
This sentence tells us that some people do something in order to be praised twice. Of the
choices given, only shrugging off compliments is likely to bring a repeat of praise. Therefore,
E is the correct answer.
Reading Comprehension Set
A13
The phrase “According to the passage” in the question indicates that the answer is specifically
given. Lines 12-15 of the passage specifically tell us that modern viewers no longer require
moral lessons from painters. Therefore, the answer is C.
A14
Lines 8-10 state that the Le Nain brothers and Georges de La Tour, who were like Francoise
Duparc in their choice of themes, were largely ignored in their own time but now enjoy a
greater reputation. Choice A expresses the best answer.
A15
Lines 5-6 tell us that genre painting depicts everyday activities, usually of ordinary people (and,
further, line 7 refers to “members of the humblest classes”). Only Choice D gives an example
of an everyday activity.
A16
The entire passage talks about the effect of contemporary beliefs on judgments about art. More
specifically, lines 11-15 make it clear that aesthetic judgments are affected by political beliefs.
Choice A, therefore, is the best answer.
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to reproduce these pages in their entirety in limited quantities for teaching purposes only. No commercial use or further
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9
Sample Test B
Antonyms
B1
One who is intrepid has no fear (or no trepidation); its opposite, therefore, is fearful or
apprehensive, D.
B2
If you do not know what precursory means, you may recognize pre (before) and curs, similar
to course and cursive. What is precursory runs before or comes before; and its closest
opposite is A, derivative, that which is not original and therefore comes after.
B3
Items that are disparate are different (from dis, opposite, plus par, prepare). Its best opposite
is A, homogeneous (from homo, similar, plus genos, kind).
B4
A fulmination is a loud, explosive denunciation of someone or something. The opposite is
praise, D.
B5
A predilection (from pre, before, and dilect, love) is an attitude that makes one like or favor
someone or something even before fully knowing that person or thing. The opposite is a
propensity (or previous tendency) to dislike, Choice E.
Analogies
B6
To subpoena is to require the appearance or service of a witness. To conscript a soldier is
to require him or her to report or serve. Therefore, D is correct.
B7
A malapropism is a mistake with words; therefore, it is a verbal mistake. A gaffe is a social
mistake, as expressed in C. Note that although A may seem close, a heresy is intentional and
is far more serious than a light, often humorous mistake and is therefore not as good an answer.
B8
A parenthesis by definition is an explanation; or, it can be used as punctuation to indicate an
explanation. Both of these relationships are expressed in D.
Question
Number
B9
B10
B11
B12
B13
Correct Answer
A An increased focus on the importance of engaging the audience in
a narrative
C speak to
Blank (i) construe
Blank (ii) collude in
Blank (i) central to
Blank (ii) erroneously attributed to
Blank (iii) largely unpredictable
Blank (i) defiant
Blank (ii) disregard for
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distribution is permitted. Individuals or agencies wishing to obtain permission to reproduce this materials may contact the
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10
Common Word Parts
The following common prefixes and common word roots are given as examples of parts of
words already familiar to you. If you come across an unfamiliar word, one strategy you might use is to
break down the word into one or more parts that are familiar. For example, if you come across the
word benefactor and do not know its meaning, you might remember that the bene part means “good,”
as in benefit or beneficial, and/or that fact, seen in factory, might mean “to make.” That might help
you to realize that benefactor is a person who does (or makes) something good. Practicing this kind
of word analysis before the test is likely to increase your facility with language and to help you gain
the confidence to approach the words during the Verbal part of the GRE. The lists that follow are not
exhaustive; they are meant to help you get started in word analysis. While using knowledge of word
parts is not guaranteed to bring you to precise meanings or to correct answers all of the time, it often
will help you to find the correct answers or at least to eliminate one or more incorrect choices.
Some Common Prefixes
PREFIX
in
in, im, il, ir, un, non, a
ex, e
con, com, col
sym, syn
bene, eu
mal
tele
circum, peri
multi, poly
pre, ante
post
omni
ortho
mono
ob, op
MEANING
in
not
out, from
with, together
with, together
good
bad
far off, distant
around
many
before
after
all
straight, true
single, one
against
EXAMPLES
internal, influx, induction
inconsistent, immobile, illogical
external, exit, emit
confer, committee, collaborate
sympathy, synthesis, symbiosis
beneficial, eulogy, benevolent, euphony
maladjustment, malcontent, malicious
telescope, television, telegram
circumference, perimeter, circulate, periscope
multiply, polygamy, multitude
previous, antebellum, prehistoric, antechamber
postpone, postsecondary, postdate
omnivorous, omnipotent
orthodontist, orthodox
monopoly, monorail
obscure, opposite, object, opponent
Some Number Prefixes
PREFIX
uni
bi, di, dou, duo
oct
cent
milli
MEANING
one
two
eight
hundred
thousand
EXAMPLES
unity, uniform, unisex
bisect, double, binoculars
October, octet
century, percent
milligram, millipede
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11
Some Common Roots
ROOT
alter
chron
missi, mit
tract
ject
ten
poli
phon
posi, pon
spect
sequi
port
rect
therm
bio
Examples:
MEANING
other, change
time
sent
pull
throw
hold
city, state
sound
put, place
see, look
follow
carry
straight, right
heat
life, living
EXAMPLES
alternate, alteration
chronology, chronic
missile, mission, emit
extract, tractor
eject, interject
retention, maintain
metropolitan, cosmopolitan, politics
phonograph, telephone
position, postpone
spectator, spectacle
sequence, sequel
portable, transport
rectangle, correct, erect
thermometer, thermos
biography, biology
ject = throw
eject = throw out
reject = throw back
trajectory = the path of something thrown across
subject = throw under (control)
conjecture = something (an idea) thrown together
interject = throw between
dejection = thrown down (in spirit)
inject = throw into
project = throw forward
object = throw against
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12
Some Common Relationships in Analogies
General
Classification
Class Inclusion
Examples
(fruit:apple::tree:maple)
(tree:forest::teachers:faculty)
(puppy:dog::kitten:cat)
Specific
Relationship
2nd (term) is a kind of 1st (term)
2nd is made up of 1st
1st is a young 2nd
Part-Whole
(engine:car::heart:body)
1st is part of 2nd (or 1st runs 2nd)
Attribute or
Characteristic
(aesthete:beauty::patriot:country)
(artist:paint::writer:pen)
(submissive:led::volatile:aroused)
1st loves 2nd
1st does 2nd
if one is 1st, one is easily 2nd
Nonattribute or
Contrast
(loyal:betrayal::honesty:deception)
(vacuum:air::tundra:trees)
1st does not do 2nd
1st lacks 2nd
Degree or Intensity
(like:love::dislike:despise)
2nd is extreme 1st
Excessive Degree
(eating:gluttony::frugality:stinginess)
2nd is too much (excessive) 1st
Cause (or Purpose)
or Effect
(axe:split::knife:cut)
(refine:petroleum::smelt:ore)
1st is used in order to 2nd
to 1st is to purify 2nd
Place or Time
(sculptor:studio::actor:stage)
1st works in or on 2nd
Symbol or
Representation
(applause:enjoyment::frown:annoyance)
1st is a sign of 2nd
Recipient
(scholarship:student::bequest:heir)
1st is given to 2nd (or 2nd
receives 1st)
Agent or Doer
(playwright:tragedy::composer:symphony) 2nd is one of the products
created by 1st
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