Sentence Completions 449

Problem Set A: Answers and solutions begin on page 454.

1. Because of his success as a comedian, 7. These categories amply point out the
directors were loath to consider him for fundamental desire that people have to
___________ roles. express themselves and the cleverness they
(A) supporting display in that expression; who would have
(B) leading believed that the drab, mundane DMV
(C) dramatic would become the ___________ such
(D) comedic creativity?
(E) musical (A) catalyst for
(B) inhibitor of
2. The aspiring candidate’s performance in the (C) disabler of
debate all but any hope he may (D) referee of
have had of winning the election. (E) censor of
(A) nullifies
(B) encourages 8. This argues well that Erikson exercised less
(C) guarantees free will than Warner; for even though
(D) accentuates Erikson was aware that he was misdirected,
(E) contains he was still unable to ___________ free
will.
3. She is the most person I have (A) defer
ever met, seemingly with an endless reserve (B) facilitate
of energy. (C) proscribe
(A) jejune (D) prevent
(B) vivacious (E) exert
(C) solicitous
(D) impudent 9. Man has no choice but to seek truth, he is
(E) indolent made uncomfortable and frustrated without
truth—thus, the quest for truth is part of
4. Despite all its , a stint in the what makes us ___________ .
diplomatic core is invariably an uplifting
(A) noble
experience.
(B) different
(A) merits (C) human
(B) compensation (D) intelligent
(C) effectiveness (E) aggressive
(D) rigors
(E) mediocrity 10. Though most explicitly sexist words have
been replaced by gender-neutral terms,
5. Liharev talks about being both a nihilist and sexism thrives in the ___________ of
an atheist during his life, yet he never does many words.
___________ faith in God.
(A) indistinctness
(A) affirm (B) similitude
(B) lose (C) loquacity
(C) scorn (D) implications
(D) aver (E) obscurity
(E) supplicate
11. Though a small man, J. Egar Hoover
6. Existentialism can be used to rationalize appeared to be much larger behind his desk;
evil: if one does not like the rules of society for, having skillfully designed his office, he
and has no conscience, he may use existen- was ___________ by the perspective.
tialism as a means of ___________ a set
of beliefs that are advantageous to him but (A) augmented
injurious to others. (B) comforted
(C) apprehended
(A) thwarting (D) lessened
(B) proving (E) disconcerted
(C) promoting
(D) justifying
(E) impugning

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12. Man is violent and therefore any theory of 18. The vigorous dispute over where to place a
conflict resolution between nations that comma in the Republican platform was
___________ to account for this is motivated not by any ___________change
___________ flawed. in meaning but by a desire not to show any
(A) declines . . supposedly deference to the other side.
(B) refuses . . pejoratively (A) specific
(C) fails . . . inherently (B) discredited
(D) consents . . manifestly (C) tarnished
(E) flinches . . innately (D) petulant
(E) infinite
13. Ironically, the foreign affairs policies of
democracies are more likely to met with 19. The citizenry had become so by
protests than similar policies of totalitarian the presidents that the latest
regimes because a democracy is financial scandal did not even make the
___________protest; whereas in a totalitar- front page of the newspapers.
ian regime, no one is listening. (A) fascinated . . impropriety
(A) impassive to (B) disgusted . . peccadilloes
(B) indifferent to (C) distraught . . magnanimity
(C) imperiled by (D) regretful . . personification
(D) sensitive to (E) jaded . . indiscretions
(E) inured to
20. In these politically correct times, it has
14. Although the buildings and streets of this become ___________ to discuss certain
small beach town appear , the subjects at all.
property values are quite .
(A) safe
(A) expensive . . steep
(B) eccentric
(B) dilapidated . . high
(C) precarious
(C) artistic . . pedestrian
(D) efficacious
(D) refurbished . . low
(E) effortless
(E) quaint . . reasonable
15. Though he claimed the business was 21. Although the stock market has experienced
___________, his irritability ___________ strong in the past two years,
that claim. there have been short periods in which the
market has precipitously.
(A) sound . . belied
(B) expanding . . supported (A) expansion . . stagnated
(C) downsizing . . vindicated (B) growth . . fallen
(D) static . . contradicted (C) augmentation. . steadied
(E) booming. . affirmed (D) extension . . stabilized
(E) development . . increased
16. The rules of engagement for United
Nations troops stationed in Bosnia prohibit 22. Her stern attitude toward the child was
deadly force unless all ___________ complemented with plenty of .
actions have be exhausted. (A) love
(A) comparable (B) spite
(B) menacing (C) indifference
(C) alternative (D) malice
(D) augmented (E) ambivalence
(E) extraordinary
23. The interviewer was startled to hear the
17. Despite its lofty goal—truth—many schol- otherwise gracious author make the
ars maintain that law as ___________is a ___________remark: “My novels are too
highly regulated street fight. sophisticated for the American public.”
(A) a dogma (A) apt
(B) a study (B) enigmatic
(C) a profession (C) lofty
(D) a philosophy (D) vacuous
(E) a lifestyle (E) insightful
 Sentence Completions 451

24. The judge openly associated with racist 30. Though toward his own needs, he
organizations; nevertheless, he showed no was always magnanimous toward others.
in his decisions during his career. (A) miserly
(A) favoritism (B) charitable
(B) benevolence (C) profligate
(C) openness (D) improvident
(D) prejudice (E) condemnatory
(E) altruism
31. The intelligence community should not be
25. The condemnatory drivel of critics directed for not foreseeing the fall of the
toward Steven Spielberg’s latest film attests Soviet Union; even Hedrick Smith, author of
to the fact that the pretentious critics have The Russians, stated in 1986 that the Soviet
lost sight of the purpose of movies: . Union is the world’s most stable society.
(A) to exalt (A) applauded
(B) to correct (B) contradicted
(C) to mislead (C) faulted
(D) to convert (D) preempted
(E) to entertain (E) engendered
26. Though in acting circles he has a reputation
of being a consummate professional, at 32. Although prices ___________ during the
times he can be quite on the stage. fuel shortage, the suppliers actually saw
___________ in profits.
(A) stern
(B) efficient (A) increased . . a loss
(C) playful (B) stabilized . . a boon
(D) adept (C) shot up . . an expansion
(E) aloof (D) fluctuated . . a deprivation
(E) decreased . . a windfall
27. Because a comprehensive has yet
to be done on the effects of radiation from 33. In the 1950s, integration was ___________
computer monitors, we don’t even know to most Americans; now, however, most
the amount of time the typical office Americans accept it as ___________.
worker spends at a computer monitor. (A) welcome . . normal
(A) theory (B) an anathema . . desirable
(B) strategy (C) voluntary . . mandatory
(C) solution (D) common . . sporadic
(D) illness (E) an abhorrence. . unusual
(E) study
34. A more admirable character would have
28. The general accused the senator of naiveté
been one who overcame his ___________
for that air strikes alone could
stop the aggressors. impulses and became good; rather than one
who merely lacked the to be bad.
(A) advocating
(A) forbearing . . patience
(B) denying
(B) ire . . drama
(C) obfuscating
(C) baser . . intensity
(D) mishandling
(D) depraved . . goodness
(E) disallowing
(E) evil . . sophistication
29. Hundreds of citizens showed up to
___________ the planning commission’s 35. Although World War II ended more than
master plan for regional centers, claiming half a century ago, Russia and Japan still
that adding 800,000 additional people to the have not signed a formal peace treaty; and
metro area by the year 2010 would cause both countries have been ___________ to
overcrowding and gridlock. develop more ___________ relations.
(A) vote on (A) reticent . . amiable
(B) protest (B) inhibited . . colder
(C) celebrate (C) loath . . hostile
(D) view (D) averse . . controversial
(E) stop (E) inimical . . blasé

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36. The editor found the articles so _______ 42. Behind their strange appearance and
that he hesitated to print them. ________ for carrion, which has long
singled them out for fear and loathing,
(A) positive
hyenas present a ________ society in
(B) comical
which females dominate.
(C) improbable
(D) indecisive (A) longing . . contrastive
(E) interesting (B) penchant . . realistic
(C) proclivity . . virtual
37. Children not only provide cheap labor, but (D) appetite . . matriarchal
they are also _______, as they do not (E) yearning . . monarchal
complain about menial chores given to
them or about harsh treatment meted out. 43. At the cutting edge of research, scientists
are developing new sunscreens of both
(A) impertinent
________ and internal varieties.
(B) facile
(C) presumptuous (A) polar
(D) hesitant (B) tropical
(E) docile (C) territorial
(D) atmospheric
38. Despite its _______ and safety in treating (E) regional
some of the most incapacitating forms of
depression and anxiety, it has not been 44. Although the AIDS epidemic is in the
widely _______. limelight, there is a silent killer _______
through India, killing more people than
(A) security . . renounced
AIDS itself. The _______ is that, unlike
(B) potency . . repudiated
AIDS, this disease is easily cured.
(C) ineffectuality . . overtaken
(D) productivity . . commenced (A) storming . . satire
(E) usefulness . . accepted (B) flaming . . ridicule
(C) raging . . parody
39. Despite her age, she has a silly and (D) rampaging . . irony
_______ sense of humor. (E) traducing . . sarcasm
(A) mature
45. Knowing Julian was overshadowed by
(B) trivial
many other actors, she knew she was
(C) adolescent
indulging in a bit of _______ when she
(D) asinine
wondered whether Julian was the greatest
(E) youthful
living actor ever.
40. There are different and ________ versions (A) irony
about what happened in the city, but one (B) overemphasis
thing is certain: it a dastardly act that must (C) understatement
be condemned ________. (D) hyperbole
(E) injustice
(A) dissimilar . . concertedly
(B) contrary . . in unison
46. Their courage is only _______, and a small
(C) unique . . without conflict
show of strength is enough to call their
(D) conflicting . . unequivocally
bluff.
(E) complementary . . unanimously
(A) ostentation
41. By ________ celebrities from the sports, (B) fortitude
entertainment, or business arenas, the show (C) temperament
narrates the stories of the ________ news- (D) exhibition
makers from all walks of life. (E) bravado
(A) displaying . . pedestrian
(B) profiling . . influential
(C) parading . . effective
(D) narrating . . dominating
(E) setting forth . . ordinary
 Sentence Completions 453

47. Life, as the film demonstrates, is too com- 52. It is a situation with a hard, practical edge
plex for _______ endings. which raises issues of life-threatening
_______ and therefore demands to be
(A) facile
addressed with cool, clear-headed _______.
(B) intricate
(C) straight (A) existence . . involvement
(D) occult (B) incidents . . erudition
(E) recognizable (C) evidence . . cognizance
(D) illustrations . . expedience
48. Today, plastic has proved to be a _______ (E) immediacy . . pragmatism
to the environment; the world over, steps
are being taken to ban the _______ and 53. We landed at the airport with _______
non-recyclable material, which has silently notions of the country as _______ country
taken over our lives. where many parents are alleged to have
sold their children in exchange for food.
(A) boon . . ominous
(B) threat . . jeopardizing (A) paradoxical . . an abounding
(C) menace . . non-ecofriendly (B) incongruous . . an opulent
(D) inauspicious . . disastrous (C) preconceived . . an impoverished
(E) perquisite . . deleterious (D) unwarranted . . an impotent
(E) germane . . a prolific
49. While environmentalists and NGO’s have
welcomed the move, there has been strong 54. Located amidst the colossal green hills,
_______ from many a quarter. what might have otherwise been _______
airfield in _______ part of the North
(A) opposition
assumed the overtones of the battlefield.
(B) rivalry
(C) approval (A) an impressive . . an alien
(D) defiance (B) a blood-shattered . . an estranged
(E) acceptance (C) a combatant . . a war torn
(D) a picturesque . . an exquisite
50. Suicide is the outcome of man’s difficulty (E) a reposeful . . a hostile
to _______ himself in society, so he does
not feel isolated. 55. In spite of the _______ vista of the country
dismantled by war and its development
(A) materialize
clogged by illiteracy, locals like to _______
(B) isolate
their nationalism.
(C) homogenize
(D) secure (A) sickening . . unveil
(E) integrate (B) diverse . . exhibit
(C) unruly . . curb
51. Some are born with a _______ to commit (D) picturesque . . conceal
suicide, whereas some commit suicide (E) chaotic . . flaunt
because they are unable to bear _______
changes in their lives.
(A) sentiment . . inimical
(B) resolution. . adverse
(C) predisposition. . cataclysmic
(D) prognosis. . miserable
(E) prodigy. . abrupt

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454 GRE Prep Course

Answers and Solutions to Exercise

1. C 12. C 23. B 34. E 45. D
2. A 13. D 24. D 35. A 46. E
3. B 14. B 25. E 36. C 47. A
4. D 15. A 26. C 37. E 48. C
5. B 16. C 27. E 38. E 49. A
6. D 17. C 28. A 39. E 50. E
7. A 18. A 29. B 40. D 51. C
8. E 19. E 30. A 41. B 52. E
9. C 20. C 31. C 42. D 53. C
10. D 21. B 32. A 43. B 54. D
11. A 22. A 33. B 44. D 55. E
1. If the public expects a comedian to always 7. The phrase “who would have believed”
make them laugh, then they might not accept a implies that the reality is the opposite of what
comedian in a serious role. Hence, the directors one would expect. Now, one would not expect
would be loath (reluctant) to cast a comedian in a the drab DMV to be a catalyst for creativity. The
dramatic role. The answer is (C). answer is (A).

2. The phrase “all but” implies that the debate
was a make-or-break event for the candidate.
Suppose the candidate did well. Then his spirits
would be high, and we would expect the missing
word to be positive. However, a positive word in
the phrase “all but any hope” is awk-
ward. Hence, the candidate must have done
poorly in the debate and had his hopes for elec-
tion nixed. So we turn to the answer-choices
looking for “nixed.” It’s not there, but a
synonym—nullifies—is. The answer is (A).
3. Since no connecting word—such as and, for,
so, etc.—follows the comma, the phrase
“seemingly with an endless reserve of energy”
defines the missing word. Now, a person with an
endless reserve of energy would be lively, which
is the meaning of “vivacious.” The answer is
(B).
4. “Despite” sets up a contrast between the key
phrase “uplifting experience” and the missing
word. The implication is that in spite of the
rewards, the job is harsh and trying; in other
words, rigorous. The answer is (D).
8. The sentence implies that even when
Erikson knows he is taking the wrong path in
life, he still cannot stop. That is, he cannot exert
free will. The answer is (E).
9. If man has no choice but to seek truth, then
this is an essential characteristic of man. In other
words, it is part of what makes us human. The
answer is (C).
10. The sentence is saying that although a word
may not be explicitly sexist it may contain sexist
connotations or implications. The answer is (D).
11. The passage states that when sitting behind
his desk J. Egar Hoover looked larger than he
actually was. So the perspective must have
increased the appearance of his size. The only
word that means to increase is “augmented.”
The answer is (A).
12. Since man is violent, any useful theory of
conflict resolution must incorporate this fact.
The answer is (C).

5. “Yet” draws a contrast between what one
would expect an Atheist to do (renounce faith in
God) and what Liharev did (maintained faith in
God). In other words, he did not lose faith in
God. The answer is (B).
6. To rationalize evil is to make excuses for
wrong doing. Now, the words following the
colon explain how existentialism can be used to
excuse or justify evil. The answer is (D).
13. The clause “whereas in a totalitarian regime,
no one is listening” implies that a democracy
does listen to protests. In other words, it is sensi-
tive to protests. The answer is (D).
14. “Although” sets up a contrast between what
the property values are (high) and what one
would expect them to be in a dilapidated (run
down) community. The answer is (B).

15. If the business was not sound, his irritability
would belie (contradict) his claim that the busi-
ness was sound. The answer is (A).
16. The word “exhausted” implies that all other
actions (alternatives) have been tried. The
answer is (C).
17. The sentence is pointing out that as a practi-
cal matter the legal profession pursues the truth
through a rough and tumble path. The answer is
(C).
18. The clause “a desire not to show any defer-
ence to the other side” implies that the issue was
who would win not who was right. So the
placement of the comma did not affect the spe-
cific meaning of the sentence. The answer is
(A).
19. A financial scandal is an indiscretion; and it
may not have made the front page because the
public was jaded (worn out) by an excess of
scandals. The answer is (E).
20. The sentence is suggesting that it is risky to
discuss certain subjects regardless of what you
say. The answer is (C).
21. “Although” sets up a contrast between what
happened in the market over a two year period
(growth) and what happened in some shorter
periods during that time (no growth). The
answer is (B).
22. A complement is something that makes up a
whole, bringing it to perfection. Of the answer-
choices offered, only “love” could complement
“stern” in such a manner. The answer is (A).
23. We are told that the author is gracious, yet
she makes the churlish comment: “My novels are
to sophisticated for the American public.” Such
an out of character comment is enigmatic. The
answer is (B).
24. “Nevertheless” points out a contrast in how
the judge felt (prejudice) and how he acted
(without prejudice). The answer is (D).
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Sentence Completions 455
25. The word “pretentious” indicates that the
writer believes that the critics take themselves
and movies too seriously. That is, the main pur-
pose of a movie is merely to entertain. The
answer is (E).
26. “Though” sets up a contrast between the
behavior one would expect from a “consummate
professional” and the behavior that the actor
sometimes displays. Now from a consummate
professional, one would expect a serious, work-
like attitude, not playfulness. The answer is (C).
27. To determine the amount of time the typical
office worker spends at a computer monitor, a
study would need to be conducted. The answer
is (E).
28. The general is accusing the senator of being
naive (unsophisticated) for believing that air
strikes alone could stop the aggressors. The
answer is (A).
29. People are likely to protest a plan that they
believe will cause overcrowding and gridlock.
The answer is (B).
30. “Though” sets up a contrast between
“magnanimous” (charitable) and “miserly.” The
answer is (A).
31. The sentence is implying that no one could
have foreseen the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The answer is (C).
32. The sentence is pointing out that in spite of
the higher prices the suppliers lost money. The
answer is (A).
33. The sentence is pointing out the difference
between the attitudes of people in the ‘50s and
the attitudes today. The answer is (B).
34. The writer is pointing out that one who
overcomes evil is more admirable than one who
is born simple but good. The answer is (E).
35. If no peace treaty has been signed after 50
years, then the countries are probably reticent
(reluctant) to develop more amiable (friendly)
relations. The answer is (A).
456 GRE Prep Course
36. Printing something that is untrue would
reflect negatively on the editor, so he hesitated to
print the articles because they were
“improbable.” The answer is (C). “Indecisive”
could also be the reason the editor hesitated to
print the articles, but “improbable” is a stronger
reason not to publish an article. One of the jobs
of an editor is to verify the truth of an article.
Publishing false material could subject the editor
to ridicule or even legal action.
37. The word “as” in the sentence indicates that
the missing word is explained or defined by the
clause that follows it: “they do not complain
about menial chores given to them or about harsh
treatment meted out.” This aptly describes a
“docile” person. The answer is (E).
38. The conjunction “and” in the phrase
“Despite its _______ and safety” indicates that
the missing word has a positive meaning because
“safety” has a positive meaning. Since the
sentence is implying that the drug is useful in
curing depression and anxiety, it is expected that
the drug would be widely used. But “despite”
implies that the drug is not widely “accepted.”
The answer is (E).
39. The word “age” in the sentence implies that
the missing word is characteristic of age.
“Youthful” fits well: Despite her advanced age,
she has a youthful sense of humor. The answer is
(E). “Adolescent” could also work in the
sentence, but the phrase “adolescent sense of
humor” carries a negative connotation, and the
sentence does not seem to be critical.
40. The word “and” in the phrase “different and
________ versions” indicates that the missing
word is similar in meaning to the word
“different.” Now, different versions of an event
can be “conflicting.” Further, a dastardly act
needs to be condemned “unequivocally.” The
answer is (D).
41. The show was organized to tell the stories of
successful celebrities. By “profiling” these
celebrities, the show narrates the stories of the
“influential” newsmakers from all walks of life.
The answer is (B).
42. Since hyenas eat carrion (decaying flesh),
they have an “appetite” for it. A society ruled by
females is called “matriarchal.” The answer is
(D).
43. The word “both” in the statement implies
there are two different types of sunscreen. Since
one is internal, the other one should be external
or at least of a different type. The choices
“territorial,” “atmospheric,” and “regional” do
not imply the opposite of internal. “Polar” and
“tropical” may indicate other varieties.
Sunscreens are not used in polar regions; they are
used in tropical regions. Hence, the answer is
(B).
44. The first sentence describes AIDS as a big
threat; it also describes another disease that is
unreported and is on a greater rampage. Yet, the
author says there is a cure for this silent killer. It
is ironic that the silent killer causes more harm
than AIDS, yet it is curable. The answer is (D).
45. The statement implies that Julian is certainly
not the greatest American actor. To believe him
to be the greatest actor would be to indulge in
“hyperbole.” The answer is (D).
46. The word “only” in the first clause limits the
meaning of courage: They have courage, but
only to a point. The word “bluff” in the second
clause indicates that their courage is merely
bluster. This is the meaning of “bravado.” The
answer is (E).
47. The phrase “too complex for” indicates that
the missing word should have the opposite
meaning of the word “complex.” The opposite of
complex is simple. Now, “facile” means simplis-
tic, superficial. The answer is (A).
48. The second clause states that worldwide
steps are being taken to ban plastic. The word
“and” joining the two clauses of the sentence
indicates that the first clause should provide a
reason for the worldwide ban of plastic. The
reason is that plastic is proving to be a menace to
the environment. The second blank needs to be
filled by a word that supports the statement and
shows the negative consequences of plastic
usage. The suitable word is “non-ecofriendly.”
The answer is (C).
49. The word “while” indicates a contrast
between what is expressed in the first clause
(welcoming the move) and what is expressed in
the second clause (opposing the move). The
answer is (A).
 Sentence Completions 457

50. Man is a social being; and to function prop-
erly, he needs to be an integral part of society.
When a person fails to integrate himself into
society, he often feels alienated and incomplete,
which, without a social support system, can lead
to suicide. The author believes that those who
commit suicide do so because they are unable to
integrate themselves into the society. The answer
is (E).
54. The sentence implies that the location,
though having splendid natural settings, is
distressed by the ongoing battle. We can observe
from the structure of the sentence that both
blanks explain the natural beauty of the location.
The author implies that if the location had no
overtones of the battlefield, it would have been a
“picturesque” airfield in an “exquisite” part of
the North. The answer is (D).

51. The author states that some people are born
with an inclination to commit suicide. Though
the remaining people who have committed
suicide do not have such a predisposition, they
commit it because they are unable to bear sudden
cataclysmic changes that occur in their lives. The
answer is (C).
55. The country under consideration has been
dismantled by war and its development clogged
by illiteracy. The author describes the overall
situation of the country as “chaotic.” One would
expect the citizens to feel disgrace in such a situ-
ation. But the locals still “flaunt” their national-
ism. The answer is (E).

52. According to the author, the core issue

involves a hard, practical point that is to be dealt
with a pragmatic approach. Pragmatism means
“practical approach.” The author stresses the
immediacy of the situation since it is raising life-
threatening issues. The answer is (E).

53. One would reasonably assume (preconceive)

that a state where parents are alleged to have sold
their children in exchange for food is an
“impoverished” state. The answer is (C). Note,
(D) is the second-best choice. Although an
impoverished state is probably impotent, impov-
erished describes the situation better. Further, the
sentence does not imply that the preconceived
notions of the state were unwarranted (not
justified).

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