GRE VERBAL REASONING TEXT COMPLETION Text Completion Overview

GRE VERBAL REASONING TEXT COMPLETION

Text Completion - Overview • • • Asked to select one entry for each blank from a column of choices Question may have 1, 2, or 3 blanks 6 Text Completion questions in each Verbal Reasoning section Tests your ability to recognize point of the sentence Tests your ability to find best word(s) to fit point of the sentence GRE Test Completion Directions: Each sentence below has one or more blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five words for one-blank questions and sets of three words for each blank for two-and three-blank questions. Choose the word or set of words for each blank that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

Text Completion - 3 Types 1. 2. 3. 1 Blank 2 Blank 3 Blank

Text Completion – Steps for 1 Blank • #1 Read the sentence & look for clues or road signs* • Straight Ahead: and, since, also, thus, because, ; (semicolon), etc. • Detour: but, despite, yet, however, unless, rather, although, while, etc. • #2 Predict an answer • Prediction should be a logical fit in the sentence • #3 Select the Choice that most closely matches your prediction • Eliminate answer choices that do not fit prediction • If no answer choices fit prediction, revisit step 1 and step 2 • #4 Check your answer • Double-check that answer choice is correct in sentence context See slide on Road Signs

Text Completion – Steps for 2 & 3 Blank • #1 Read the sentence and look for clues (road signs) • #2 Predict answer for easiest blank • Identify easiest blank to work with • Use road sign and relevant word for easiest blank to predict • #3 Select choice most closely matches prediction • Eliminate answer choices that do not fit prediction • If no answer choices fit prediction, revisit step 1 and step 2 • #4 Predict and select for remaining blanks • For 2 blanks, use context to help choose answer for 2 nd blank • For 3 blanks, repeat steps 2 and 3 for easiest blank and then use context to help choose answer for 3 rd blank *See slide on Road Signs

Road Signs – Looking for Clues • Road Signs • Words that signal connection between ideas & determine direction of relationship • Can be “straight ahead” or “detour” road signs • Straight Ahead Road Signs • Used to make one part of sentence support or elaborate on another part • Continues the sentence in the same direction • Examples: and, since, also, thus, because, likewise, moreover, ; semicolon • Detour Road Signs • Change the direction of the sentence • Makes one part of sentence contradict or qualify another part • Examples: but, despite, yet, however, unless, rather, although, nonetheless

Text Completion - Tips • Look for what’s directly implied & not ambiguous interpretation • Correct answer is the one most directly implied by meaning of words in sentence • Don’t be too creative • Read literally & do not use your imagination • Paraphrase long or complex sentences • Put difficult sentences in your own words • Use word roots • Use Greek or Latin roots to help figure out word meaning