The same three-letter word has been taken out of each of the following words. The missing letters are in the same order. What is the missing word and what are the complete words?

1. _ _ RB _ E

2. RE _ _ _ E

3. _ _ R _ IC

4. CON _ E _ _

5. _ _ MB _ E

Answer:

The missing three-letter word is GAL:

1. GARBLE

2. REGALE

3. GARLIC

4. CONGEAL

5. GAMBLE