Question

The countless (i) ______ days left everyone (ii) ______ for the sudden downpour; the deluge brought traffic to a halt as it (iii) ______ the roads. $$\begin{array}{cc}\text { Blank (i) } & \text { Blank (ii) } & \text { Blank (iii) } \\ \begin{array}{|ll|}\hline \text { A arid } \\ \hline \text { B calm } \\\\\hline \text { C humid } & \\\\\hline\end{array} & \begin{array}{|l|l|}\hline \text { D waiting } \\\\\hline \text { E unprepared } \\\\\hline \text { F anxious } \\\\\hline \end{array} & \begin{array}{|l|l|}\hline \text { G inundated } \\\\\hline \text { H soaked } \\\\\hline \text { I sprayed } \\\\\hline \end{array}\end{array}$$

Short answer

The correct choices are: arid, unprepared, inundated.

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the Context

First, read the sentence carefully to grasp the context. The sentence is about a sudden downpour after numerous days, indicating a sudden change in weather.

- Identify Keywords

Identify keywords in the sentence. In this case, 'countless days', 'left everyone', 'sudden downpour', 'traffic at a halt', and 'the roads' are important.

- Choose Blank (i)

For Blank (i), it describes the countless days before the downpour. The word needs to reflect a lack of rain. 'Arid' means extremely dry, 'calm' means peaceful, and 'humid' means moist. The correct choice is 'arid'.

- Choose Blank (ii)

For Blank (ii), it describes the reaction of people to the sudden downpour. 'Waiting' indicates anticipation, 'unprepared' means not ready, and 'anxious' implies worry. The correct choice is 'unprepared' because the sentence previously mentions a sudden downpour.

- Choose Blank (iii)

For Blank (iii), it describes what the downpour did to the roads. 'Inundated', 'soaked', and 'sprayed' all relate to water. However, 'inundated' means flooded, which fits the context of causing traffic to halt. So, 'inundated' is the correct choice.

Key concepts

Contextual Understanding

Grasping the context is the first and perhaps most crucial step in vocabulary fill-in-the-blanks exercises. When you encounter a sentence, pause and consider the scenario being described. In our example, the sentence talks about a sudden downpour after many days, which serves as a strong clue. The use of phrases like 'countless days,' 'sudden downpour,' and 'brought traffic to a halt' helps you understand the overall picture. Always aim to get a general feel of the situation before diving into specifics. This will help you make more informed choices when filling in the blanks.

Vocabulary Building

One of the best ways to succeed in GRE vocabulary exercises is through effective vocabulary building. Learn new words daily and try to use them in sentences. In the given example, we considered words like 'arid,' 'unprepared,' and 'inundated.' Here's a breakdown to help you:

• Arid: Extremely dry, like a desert.
• Unprepared: Not ready for something sudden or unexpected.
• Inundated: Flooded with water.

Familiarize yourself with these words and their meanings, and always be on the lookout for more words to add to your vocabulary toolbox.

Logical Reasoning

Applying logical reasoning is crucial for picking the right words to fill in the blanks. For each blank, consider the relationship between the words and the context. In our exercise:

• Blank (i): The word 'arid' logically fits because it describes a lack of rain, which aligns with 'countless days' before a downpour.
• Blank (ii): The word 'unprepared' fits because it reflects the suddenness of the downpour, implying people didn't expect it.
• Blank (iii): The word 'inundated' makes sense as it means flooded, which links clearly to causing traffic to halt.

By thinking through the logical relationships in sentences, you can significantly increase your accuracy in vocabulary exercises.

Test Preparation

Effective test preparation involves more than just understanding vocabulary; it's about practicing different types of exercises and familiarizing yourself with test formats. For GRE vocabulary fill-in-the-blanks exercises:

• Practice regularly to get familiar with common GRE words.
• Do timed practice sessions to improve speed and accuracy.
• Review and analyze your mistakes to avoid repeating them.

By integrating these strategies into your study routine, you not only improve your vocabulary but also enhance your overall test-taking skills, ensuring you're fully prepared to tackle the GRE challenges.