Tips to Improve Your GRE Verbal Score

It will take up too much of your time if you try to consider all possible answer combinations, and this could also increase the chance of making an error. Analyzing the passage in the following way, however, could be beneficial:

• To get an overall sense of the passage, be sure to read it through carefully
• Take note of words or phrases that seem particularly significant. They may emphasize passage structure (e.g. moreover, however, although) or they may be central to understanding the context of the passage
• By attempting to fill in the blanks with relevant words or phrases that could complete the sentence, it will be easier to see if similar options are available in the answer choices
• You don’t have to fill in the blanks in order. Read over the passage to see which is easiest to fill, and continue to follow this pattern
• Once you’ve completed the section, check the passage is coherent and stylistically and grammatically correct.  

Sample Sentence Equivalence Questions

Directions: Select the two answer choices that, when used to complete the sentence, fit the meaning of the sentence as a whole and produce completed sentences that are alike in meaning.

1. Although it does contain some pioneering ideas, one would hardly characterize the work as __________.

A. orthodox

B. eccentric

C. original

D. trifling

E. conventional

F. innovative

Correct Answer: C and F

2. The corporation expects only _______ increases in sales next year despite a yearlong effort to revive its retailing business.

A. dynamic

B. predictable

C. expanding

D. modest

E. slight

F. volatile

Correct Answer: D and E

• Read the sentence to get an overall sense of it
• Use context clues and insert your own word. Not too dissimilar from a text completion question, sentence equivalence questions offer a number of context clues – information in the sentence that provides insight into the word’s meaning – that point you towards the correct answer. Take your time to identify context clues, not just to find the correct answer choices, but to rule out choices that clearly won’t fit. 
• Avoid getting fixated with answer choices that are perfect synonyms. Some students may begin by trying to identify the two words that are most similar to each other. If asked to identify the two words that have identical meanings, this would be correct, however, it’s important to remember what’s being asked of you. You’re being asked to determine the two words that create sentences that are similar to each other, meaning the correct answers often don’t include perfect synonyms.
• Try to fill in the blank with a word that seems appropriate. See if two similar words are offered among the answer choices. If one word is similar to what you have envisaged but you can’t find a second one, don’t keep fixed on your interpretation, instead, see if other answer choices can be used to fill the blank.

There are three types of Reading Comprehension questions:

1. Multiple-choice questions: select one answer choice
2. Multiple-choice questions: select one or more answer choices
3. Select-in-passage: select the sentence in the passage that meets a certain description

There is a balance of passages from across three different subject areas: humanities, social sciences (including business) and natural sciences. The passages range in length from one paragraph to four or five paragraphs.

Sample questions 1 to 3 below are based on this passage:

Policymakers must confront the dilemma that fossil fuels continue to be an indispensable source of energy even though burning them produces atmospheric accumulations of carbon dioxide that increase the likelihood of potentially disastrous global climate change. Currently, technology that would capture carbon dioxide emitted by power plants and sequester it harmlessly underground or undersea instead of releasing it into the atmosphere might double the cost of generating electricity. But because sequestration does not affect the cost of electricity transmission and distribution, delivered prices will rise less, by no more than 50 percent. Research into better technologies for capturing carbon dioxide will undoubtedly lead to lowered costs.

Sample multiple-choice question — select one answer choice

1. The passage implies which of the following about the current cost of generating electricity?

A. It is higher than it would be if better technologies for capturing carbon dioxide were available.

B. It is somewhat less than the cost of electricity transmission and distribution.

C. It constitutes at most half of the delivered price of electricity.

D. It is dwelt on by policymakers to the exclusion of other costs associated with electricity delivery.

E. It is not fully recovered by the prices charged directly to electricity consumers.

Correct Answer: C

Sample multiple-choice question — select one or more answer choices

Consider each of the three choices separately and select all that apply.

2. The passage suggests that extensive use of sequestration would, over time, have which of the following consequences?

A. The burning of fossil fuels would eventually cease to produce atmospheric accumulations of carbon dioxide.

B. The proportion of the delivered price of electricity due to generation would rise and then decline.

C. Power plants would consume progressively lower quantities of fossil fuels.

Correct Answer: B

Sample select-in-passage question

3. Select the sentence that explains why an outcome of sequestration that might have been expected would not occur.

Correct Answer: "But because sequestration does not affect the cost of electricity transmission and distribution, delivered prices will rise less, by no more than 50 percent."

It’s possible you’ll face material you’re not familiar with, as reading passages are drawn from different disciplines and sources, so try to pay attention to relevant clues to assist your understanding of less obvious aspects in the passage. Don’t worry, all questions can be answered from the information provided in the passage.

• Be sure to read and analyze passages carefully before attempting to answer the questions
• Try to distinguish main ideas from supporting ideas or evidence
• Try to identify main transitions from one idea to another
• Identify the relationship between different ideas: whether one supports the other; if one applies to the other in a particular circumstance; do they contrast or are they consistent?
• Ensure you understand exactly what is being asked of you by reading the questions carefully.
• The question should be answered based solely on the information provided within the passage. No outside knowledge is necessary. It’s possible your opinions may conflict with the information in the passage, if so, ensure you work within the context of the passage. Many GRE takers also find scientific texts the most difficult. No matter the topic, don’t attempt to understand the whole passage and all details. This will create unnecessary work for yourself, which will only slow you down throughout the test.
• Pay attention to the linking words used, as they may help you establish a structure within the texts. Words introducing a contrast, like, ‘however’, are important in a passage – they inform you of the direction, ideas and possibly opinions will change. Examples of linking words include:
  • Yet
  • But
  • However
  • On the other hand
  • In contrast
  • In addition
  • Firstly/secondly
  • In conclusion