Cisco
CompTIA
ISC
EC-Council
EXIN
Fortinet
ITIL
Juniper
Microsoft
VMware
Avaya
SAP
Google
NVIDIA
Salesforce
Amazon
Palo Alto Networks
ISC2
Splunk
ServiceNow
All Vendors
  2. Home
  3. Exams
  4. GRE
  5. GRE Section 1: Verbal

GRE GRE Section 1: Verbal Exam
Section One : Verbal (Page 7 )

Updated On: 15-Feb-2026
Page 7 of 66
PDF with 365 Questions

SHORE : PRECARIOUS ::

  1. plane : irregular
  2. boil : tepid
  3. frequent : uninviting
  4. stiffen : pliable
  5. douse : damp

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

This is an “operates against” analogy. To SHORE is to prop or support (especially, a ship, wall, or building). The word PRECARIOUS means “insecure or uncertain.” So you lessen precariousness (of a wall, for example) by shoring it up. Similarly, one way to lessen irregularity (unevenness) of a surface is to plane it.



SWEAR : OATH ::

  1. follow : leader
  2. obey : rule
  3. solve : problem
  4. sign : contract
  5. issue : warning

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

This is a “process and product” analogy. You take, or SWEAR, an OATH. Similarly, you execute, or sign, a contract. Strengthening the analogy is that both actions (swearing an oath and signing a contract) are evidence of a promise or commitment for the future.



COUNTERPOINT : MELODY ::

  1. masonry : brick
  2. pane : window
  3. coffee : bean
  4. sketch : pencil
  5. biography : book

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

This is a “component of” analogy. COUNTERPOINT refers to the interplay between one MELODY and one or more others. So each MELODY is a distinct and necessary component of COUNTERPOINT. Similarly, each brick is a distinct and necessary component of masonry (brick or stone work, such as a chimney). As for choice (C), beans are ingredients which are combined to make coffee, but the bean itself is not, as a whole bean, part of the product.



FALLOW : PRODUCTIVITY ::

  1. handsome : attraction
  2. friendly : allegiance
  3. bitter : taste
  4. obscure : clarity
  5. poisonous : protection

Answer(s): E

Explanation:

This is a “inherent purpose of” analogy. FALLOW means “to leave a field uncultivated for the purpose of restoring PRODUCTIVITY.” Similarly, the reason some animals are poisonous is for their own protection from predators and other enemies.



LAUGHTER : AMUSEMENT ::

  1. leisure : recreation
  2. squalor : filth
  3. pallor : illness
  4. pride : humility
  5. stealth : openness

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

This is a “sign or symptom of” analogy. LAUGHTER is a common sign of
AMUSEMENT, and pallor (paleness) is a common sign of illness.






Post your Comments and Discuss GRE GRE Section 1: Verbal exam prep with other Community members:

Join the GRE Section 1: Verbal Discussion