Question

The humor of Oscar Wilde remains a classic example of _______ wit; his terse remarks and deadpan delivery belied an acerbic sarcasm and brilliant insight into the world around him. a. ostentatious b. pointed c. brazen d. orotund e. laconic

Short answer

e. laconic

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Context

The sentence describes Oscar Wilde's humor as having terse remarks and deadpan delivery, which indicates a style that is brief and to the point.

Identify Keywords

Focus on the words 'terse' and 'deadpan' which suggest brevity and subtle delivery, alongside 'acerbic sarcasm' and 'brilliant insight'.

Analyze the Options

Evaluate each option: a. 'ostentatious' (showy), b. 'pointed' (sharp and direct), c. 'brazen' (bold), d. 'orotund' (pompous), e. 'laconic' (using few words).

Match Keywords with Choices

Terse and deadpan align best with 'laconic'. 'Pointed' could fit but doesn't capture the brevity implied by 'terse'. Other options do not match the described style.

Confirm the Answer

Given Wilde’s noted style of brief and insightful comments, 'laconic' best matches the context of his wit.

Key concepts

Critical Reading

Critical reading is essential for understanding and analyzing texts, especially in the GRE verbal section. When faced with a passage, it's important to:

- Identify the main ideas and themes.
- Look for keywords that signal important information.
- Make note of the author's tone and purpose.

For instance, in the Oscar Wilde sentence, recognizing words like 'terse', 'deadpan', and 'acerbic sarcasm' helps you understand the kind of wit being described. Critical reading enables you to pick up on these nuances and accurately interpret the passage.

Vocabulary

A strong vocabulary is crucial for doing well on the GRE verbal section. Expanding your vocabulary helps you understand text better and choose the right answers.

To improve your vocabulary:

- Read widely, including challenging texts like academic papers and classic literature.
- Use vocabulary apps or flashcards to memorize new words.
- Practice using new words in sentences to reinforce your understanding.

In the Oscar Wilde example, knowing the meanings of words like 'laconic' (using few words), 'ostentatious' (showy), and 'brazen' (bold) helps you choose the correct answer.

Sentence Equivalence

Sentence Equivalence questions on the GRE test your ability to find two words that create sentences with the same meaning when inserted into the blanks. Steps to tackle these questions include:

- Understanding the sentence and identifying key elements.
- Focusing on the context provided by the sentence.
- Evaluating each word option to see which two can fit perfectly.

For example, in the provided exercise, after understanding the style of humor described, you evaluate each word option. 'Laconic' fits the context best because it conveys brevity, matching the description of Wilde’s wit.

Test Preparation

Proper preparation is key to success on the GRE. Here are some tips to help you prepare effectively for the verbal section:

- Practice regularly with sample questions and full-length practice tests.
- Review your mistakes to understand where you went wrong and how to improve.
- Focus on building your critical reading and vocabulary skills diligently.

Employing strategies like breaking down sentences, identifying keywords, and expanding your vocabulary will enhance your performance. By practicing sentence equivalence and other question types, you become familiar with the test format and question styles, which helps you feel more confident on test day.