Verbal Reasoning (Two 30 minutes per

sections) 20 questions per section section

Introduction to the Verbal Reasoning Measure

Verbal Reasoning Question Types

i. Reading Comprehension
ii. Text Completion
iii. Sentence Equivalence

Text Completion
#1-6

QUESTION TYPE NUMBER OF QUESTIONS

Single Blank 2 questions

Double Blank 2 questions

Triple Blank 2 questions

*Note The 2nd question is in the pair is the more difficult of the two.

GRE Text Completion Tips and Strategies

Keep in mind the following tips and strategies about the GRE Text
Completion questions.

Read through the text once to get an idea of context.

 Pay attention to clue words in the text, such as transition words, that will
help you to identify the structure of the text.

Focus on words you know- ignore ones you dont.

Insert your own words in the blank or blanks.

Start with the blank that seems the most simple to fill, and then work on the
others.

Once youve made your selections, check the text for logic and grammar.

Never one to mince his words, Antonio was the perfect_____________ ; even an outright
fabrication was delivered with aplomb.

Blank
A) Hack
B) Idler
C) Benefactor
D) Dissembler
E) Official

Contrast: whereas, however, unlike, even though, although, but, alternatively, nevertheless,
etc.

Similitude: because of, like, similar to, since, consequently, so, as a result, for example, and,
also, in so far as, etc.

Single blank :

1. Fred was put in jail for his _______________ plot to overthrow the
government.

Blank (i)

mendicant

palpable
 quietus

nefarious

nimble

2. The Senator made a _________ endorsement of the new immigration policy, stating that
while its scope was limited, it does amend some of the inconsistencies of the current
immigration policies.

A. unrestrained
B. wholehearted
C. reviled
D. qualified
E. protracted

3.J Ben was so angered by the theft, he could not _________________ his
_____________against those who had stolen from him.

Blank 1: Blank 2:

a. peruse d. rendezvous
b. wry e. tirade
c. quell f. persiflage

4. All during the financial advisors presentation on investment

options, Laura repeatedly tried, to no avail, to (i)_________ Donovan of
his positive impression of the speakers motives. Donovan, however,
was (ii)______________ in his convictions.

Blank (i) Blank (ii)

A. disabuse D. ambivalent
B. advise E. stalwart
C. convince F. steadfast

5. I climbed into bed and rolled myself in my blanket, first (1) -------------- the light that
burned steadily near the door. I laid still trying to get to sleep but (2) ----------- made that
 impossible and soon I (3) ----------- in bed peering into the darkness and occasionally
glancing at the round window in the side of the ship.

Blank 1 Blank 2 Blank 3

A. extinguishing A. the rain A. sat up
B. created B. my fear B. danced
C. churned C. the crowd C. washed up

6. Since he lacks the (i) _____________ to take on venerable public figures, the author, no
matter how (ii)____________ his social critiques are, will never be (iii) _____________ as
a great satirist.

Blank (i) Blank (ii) Blank (iii)

(A) timorousness (D) ignominious (G) lionized

(B) contrition (E) harrowing (H) gainsaid

(C) temerity (F) perspicacious (I) tainted

GRE Materials:

1. Ets Official Guide

2. Ets Verbal Reasoning
3. Ets Quantitative Reasoning
4. Manhattan 1-6
5. Manhattan 5lb
6. Barrons 800 High Frequency Wordlist
7. Manhattan 1000 Wordlist

Terms Definitions
ambivalence the state of having conflicting emotional
attitudes
ambrosia something delicious; the food of the gods
ameliorate to improve
amenable agreeable; cooperative; suited
amenity something that increases comfort
amulet ornament worn as a charm against evil
spirits
anachronism something out of the proper time
analgesic medication that reduces or eliminates pain
analogous comparable
anarchy absence of government; state of disorder
anodyne something that calms or soothes pain
anomalous irregular; deviating from the norm
antecedent something that comes before
antediluvian prehistoric
antipathy dislike; hostility
apathy indifference
apex the highest point
apogee the point in an orbit most distant from the
body being orbited; the highest point
apothegm a terse, witty saying
appease to calm, pacify, placate
appellation name
apposite strikingly appropriate and relevant
apprise to inform
approbation praise, approval
appropriate to take possession of for one's own use;
confiscate
apropos relevant
arabesque ornate design featuring intertwined
curves; a ballet position in which one leg
is extended in back while the other
 supports the weight of the body
archeology the study of material evidence of past
human life
ardor great emotion or passion
arduous extremely difficult; laborious