GRE Verbal Challenge: 10 Tough Questions & Walk-Through Answers

The GRE Verbal section isn't just about knowing words—it's about understanding context, eliminating traps, and thinking strategically under pressure.

If you've been practising for a while and feel like you've hit a plateau, working through challenging questions with detailed solutions can help you break through. This blog brings you 10 tough GRE Verbal questions spanning Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence, and Reading Comprehension, along with step-by-step walkthroughs.

Let's dive in.

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Why Practice with Difficult Questions?

Most test-takers spend time on easy and medium-level questions. But the real score boost comes from mastering the hard ones.

Challenging questions expose gaps in your vocabulary, reveal weak reasoning patterns, and train you to stay calm when you're unsure. They also mirror the adaptive nature of the GRE—the better you perform, the harder the questions get.

So if you want a competitive score, you need to get comfortable with discomfort.

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Question 1: Text Completion (Single Blank)

The professor's lecture was so __________ that even students who were initially skeptical found themselves captivated.

(A) pedantic
(B) compelling
(C) terse
(D) derivative
(E) ambiguous

Answer: (B) compelling

Walkthrough:

The sentence suggests that students who were doubtful ended up being engaged. You need a word that means persuasive or captivating.

• Pedantic means overly concerned with minor details—doesn't fit.
• Compelling means convincing or captivating—perfect match.
• Terse means brief, which doesn't explain engagement.
• Derivative means unoriginal—contradicts the context.
• Ambiguous means unclear—opposite of what's needed.

The key here is recognizing the shift from skepticism to engagement.

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Question 2: Sentence Equivalence

Despite the company's __________ financial situation, the CEO remained optimistic about future growth.

(A) precarious
(B) robust
(C) tenuous
(D) flourishing
(E) stable
(F) ambiguous

Answer: (A) precarious and (C) tenuous

Walkthrough:

The word "despite" signals a contrast. The CEO is optimistic, so the financial situation must be negative or unstable.

• Precarious means risky or unstable.
• Tenuous means weak or shaky.

Both convey instability and produce equivalent meanings. Words like "robust," "flourishing," and "stable" are positive and don't fit the contrast. "Ambiguous" means unclear, which doesn't directly imply financial trouble.

Sentence Equivalence questions reward you for understanding tone and logic, not just definitions.

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Question 3: Text Completion (Double Blank)

The historian's approach was both (i) __________ and (ii) __________; she meticulously examined primary sources while also considering broader social contexts.

Blank (i):
(A) superficial
(B) rigorous
(C) cursory

Blank (ii):
(D) narrow
(E) holistic
(F) dismissive

Answer: (B) rigorous and (E) holistic

Walkthrough:

The sentence describes two qualities of the historian's work. She examines sources carefully (Blank i) and considers broader contexts (Blank ii).

• Blank (i): "Meticulously examined" suggests thoroughness. "Rigorous" fits perfectly. "Superficial" and "cursory" mean shallow—opposite of meticulous.

• Blank (ii): "Broader social contexts" suggests a comprehensive view. "Holistic" means considering the whole picture. "Narrow" and "dismissive" contradict this.

Double-blank questions test your ability to track logic across multiple parts of a sentence.

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Question 4: Reading Comprehension (Short Passage)

Passage:

"While renewable energy sources like wind and solar have gained significant traction, their intermittent nature presents challenges for grid stability. Energy storage systems, particularly lithium-ion batteries, offer a promising solution. However, the environmental cost of mining lithium and the limited lifespan of these batteries raise concerns about long-term sustainability."

Question:

The passage suggests that lithium-ion batteries are:

(A) a flawless solution to renewable energy challenges
(B) environmentally neutral compared to fossil fuels
(C) beneficial but not without environmental trade-offs
(D) less efficient than other energy storage methods
(E) unnecessary for grid stability

Answer: (C) beneficial but not without environmental trade-offs

Walkthrough:

The passage acknowledges that batteries offer a "promising solution" but also mentions environmental costs like mining and limited lifespan.

• (A) is too extreme—nothing is described as flawless.
• (B) is unsupported—no comparison to fossil fuels is made.
• (C) captures the balanced view: helpful but with downsides.
• (D) is incorrect—efficiency isn't discussed.
• (E) contradicts the passage—they are described as promising.

Reading Comprehension rewards careful attention to tone and qualifiers like "however" and "promising."

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Question 5: Text Completion (Triple Blank)

The novel's protagonist is (i) __________ character, whose (ii) __________ motivations make her actions difficult to predict. This (iii) __________ adds depth to an otherwise straightforward narrative.

Blank (i):
(A) an insipid
(B) a multifaceted
(C) a static

Blank (ii):
(D) transparent
(E) opaque
(F) simplistic

Blank (iii):
(G) predictability
(H) ambiguity
(I) clarity

Answer: (B) a multifaceted, (E) opaque, (H) ambiguity

Walkthrough:

The sentence structure suggests the character is complex and unpredictable, which adds richness to the story.

• Blank (i): "Multifaceted" means complex—fits well. "Insipid" (dull) and "static" (unchanging) don't match.
• Blank (ii): "Opaque" means unclear or mysterious, making actions hard to predict. "Transparent" and "simplistic" suggest clarity, which contradicts the sentence.
• Blank (iii): "Ambiguity" means uncertainty, which adds depth. "Predictability" and "clarity" would make the narrative less interesting.

Triple blanks demand you see the big picture while tracking small logical shifts.

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Question 6: Sentence Equivalence

The scientist's theory was initially met with __________, but subsequent experiments provided compelling evidence in its favour.

(A) acclaim
(B) scepticism
(C) indifference
(D) derision
(E) doubt
(F) enthusiasm

Answer: (B) scepticism and (E) doubt

Walkthrough:

The word "but" signals a contrast. If later experiments supported the theory, the initial reaction must have been negative or uncertain.

• Scepticism and doubt both convey disbelief or questioning.
• Acclaim and enthusiasm are positive—don't fit the contrast.
• Derision (mockery) is too strong and not equivalent to doubt.
• Indifference means lack of interest, which doesn't match the tone.

This question tests your ability to match tone and intensity, not just meaning.

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Question 7: Reading Comprehension (Inference)

Passage:

"The decline of coral reefs has been attributed to rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and overfishing. While conservation efforts have focused on reducing pollution and establishing marine protected areas, the fundamental issue of climate change remains largely unaddressed."

Question:

The author implies that:

(A) pollution is the primary cause of coral reef decline
(B) marine protected areas are ineffective
(C) current conservation efforts may be insufficient
(D) overfishing has been successfully mitigated
(E) climate change is easier to address than pollution

Answer: (C) current conservation efforts may be insufficient

Walkthrough:

The passage lists multiple causes but notes that climate change—a "fundamental issue"—remains unaddressed despite other conservation efforts.

• (A) is incorrect—multiple causes are listed, not one primary cause.
• (B) is too extreme—the passage doesn't call protected areas ineffective.
• (C) captures the implication that without addressing climate change, efforts may fall short.
• (D) is unsupported—overfishing isn't discussed as resolved.
• (E) contradicts the passage—climate change is described as unaddressed, suggesting it's harder, not easier.

Inference questions reward reading between the lines without overreaching.

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Question 8: Text Completion (Single Blank)

The author's prose is __________, filled with elaborate metaphors and lengthy digressions that obscure the central argument.

(A) succinct
(B) convoluted
(C) lucid
(D) sparse
(E) coherent

Answer: (B) convoluted

Walkthrough:

The sentence describes writing that's overly complex and unclear due to metaphors and digressions.

• Convoluted means twisted or complicated—fits perfectly.
• Succinct means brief—opposite of what's described.
• Lucid means clear—contradicts "obscure."
• Sparse means minimal—doesn't match "elaborate."
• Coherent means logical—opposite of the intended meaning.

Context clues like "elaborate" and "obscure" guide you to the right answer.

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Question 9: Sentence Equivalence

The committee's decision was __________, leaving both supporters and critics dissatisfied.

(A) divisive
(B) equivocal
(C) unanimous
(D) ambiguous
(E) transparent
(F) resolute

Answer: (B) equivocal and (D) ambiguous

Walkthrough:

If both sides are dissatisfied, the decision must have been unclear or uncertain.

• Equivocal means open to multiple interpretations.
• Ambiguous means unclear or vague.

Both convey uncertainty. "Divisive" means causing disagreement, but doesn't mean unclear. "Unanimous," "transparent," and "resolute" all suggest clarity, which contradicts the sentence.

These questions test nuance—not every synonym works in every context.

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Question 10: Reading Comprehension (Purpose)

Passage:

"Critics often dismiss graphic novels as inferior to traditional literature. However, works like 'Maus' and 'Persepolis' demonstrate that the medium can tackle complex themes with emotional depth and artistic sophistication that rivals any conventional novel."

Question:

The primary purpose of the passage is to:

(A) argue that graphic novels are superior to traditional novels
(B) challenge a common perception about graphic novels
(C) provide a history of the graphic novel genre
(D) explain why critics dismiss graphic novels
(E) compare the artistic styles of 'Maus' and 'Persepolis'

Answer: (B) challenge a common perception about graphic novels

Walkthrough:

The passage starts with a common criticism ("often dismiss") and then counters it with examples showing graphic novels' depth.

• (A) is too strong—the passage doesn't claim superiority.
• (B) correctly identifies the purpose: challenging dismissive views.
• (C) is incorrect—no historical overview is given.
• (D) is incomplete—the focus is on refuting critics, not explaining them.
• (E) is too narrow—the examples support a broader argument.

Purpose questions ask you to step back and see the author's intent, not just the details.

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How to Use These Questions in Your Prep

Don't just check your answers and move on. Spend time understanding why wrong answers are wrong. Ask yourself:

• What word or phrase did I misread?
• Did I fall for a trap answer that seemed close but wasn't quite right?
• Could I explain the correct answer to someone else?

Some aspirants find it easier to stay consistent using structured practice tools like PrepAiro, which offer adaptive question sets and detailed analytics. But regardless of the tools you use, the key is deliberate practice—not just volume.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Rushing through questions: The GRE rewards accuracy over speed. Take your time, especially on hard questions.

Ignoring context clues: Almost every Verbal question gives you hints. Look for contrast words like "but," "however," "despite," or support words like "because," "since," "thus."

Memorising without understanding: Flashcards are helpful, but knowing a word in isolation isn't enough. You need to understand how it behaves in sentences.

Skipping review: Every wrong answer is a learning opportunity. Build a mistake log and revisit it weekly.

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FAQs

1. How many GRE Verbal questions should I practice daily?

Quality matters more than quantity. Aim for 10–15 challenging questions per day with thorough review, rather than rushing through 50 without reflection.

2. What's the best way to improve GRE vocabulary?

Learn words in context, not isolation. Read articles from sources like The Economist or The New Yorker, and use spaced repetition apps to retain what you learn.

3. How do I improve my reading comprehension speed?

Practice active reading—summarise each paragraph mentally as you go. This builds both speed and retention. Start with shorter passages and gradually increase difficulty.

4. Are Text Completion questions harder than Sentence Equivalence?

Not necessarily. Both test vocabulary and logic, but in different ways. Text Completion requires understanding sentence structure, while Sentence Equivalence demands precise synonym pairing.

5. Should I guess if I'm stuck on a question?

Yes, but strategically. Eliminate obviously wrong answers first, then make an educated guess. There's no penalty for wrong answers, so never leave a question blank.

6. How long should I spend on each Verbal question during the test?

On average, 1.5 minutes per question. But don't panic if a tough question takes 2–3 minutes—just make up time on easier ones.

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Final Thoughts

The GRE Verbal section can feel overwhelming, especially when you're staring at a question that seems designed to confuse you. But every tough question you crack builds your confidence and sharpens your instincts.

The ten questions in this blog aren't just practice—they're a window into how the GRE tests your thinking. The more you analyse, review, and learn from challenges, the more prepared you'll be when test day arrives.

Keep practising. Stay curious. And remember, improvement isn't always linear, but it's always possible.