GRE Verbal Reasoning
Master Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence, and Reading Comprehension with strategies, 20+ high-frequency vocabulary words, and practice questions.
3 Verbal Question Types
Text Completion (1, 2, or 3 blanks)
Select one word to fill each blank. No partial credit.
Strategy:
Read the entire sentence first. Look for signal words (but, although, because). Predict the answer before looking at options.
Example: Despite her _____ reputation, the chef was actually quite _____ in her approach to new techniques. A) pristine...innovative B) tarnished...conservative C) impeccable...experimental
Sentence Equivalence
Select TWO words that produce equivalent sentences
Strategy:
Both blanks must be filled with words that create the SAME meaning. Try each option and see which two make identical sentences.
Example: The politician's _____ behavior alienated even his closest allies. A) venal B) righteous C) unscrupulous D) arbitrary E) temperate F) forthright
Reading Comprehension (Short & Long Passages)
Answer questions about passage content and meaning
Strategy:
Skim passage first. Read questions. Return to passage to find specific answers. Watch for inference vs. fact questions.
Example: Passage discusses climate change effects. Q: "What does the author suggest about future policy?" Answer requires inference from text.
Text Completion Practice (5 Questions)
Question 1
The defendant's _____ plea was rejected by the judge, who determined that the evidence was too _____ to ignore.
Question 2
Although the author's writing is often _____, her arguments are presented with such _____ that readers find themselves convinced despite initial skepticism.
Question 3
The government's _____ approach to environmental regulation has led to deteriorating conditions, prompting calls for more _____ policies.
Question 4
The museum's curator was _____ about the new exhibit, insisting it would _____ the institution's reputation for excellence.
Question 5
The politician's _____ statements about the scandal were widely criticized as _____, avoiding any genuine accountability.
Sentence Equivalence Practice (3 Questions)
Select TWO words that create equivalent sentences.
Question 6
The _____ businessman earned respect through honest dealings and transparency.
Question 7
The author's _____ writing style makes complex ideas accessible to general readers.
Question 8
The economic recession was _____, with unemployment rates reaching unprecedented levels.
20 High-Frequency GRE Words
Ambiguous
Open to multiple interpretations; unclear
"The witness's ambiguous testimony confused the jury."
Ephemeral
Lasting a very short time; fleeting
"The beauty of spring flowers is ephemeral."
Perspicacious
Having keen insight; discerning
"The critic's perspicacious analysis revealed hidden themes."
Obfuscate
To make unclear; to confuse
"The politician tried to obfuscate the facts."
Sagacious
Wise; having sound judgment
"The sagacious elder offered timeless advice."
Sanguine
Optimistic; positive
"Despite setbacks, he remained sanguine about the future."
Propitious
Favorable; auspicious
"Winning the lottery seemed propitious timing."
Profligate
Recklessly extravagant; wasteful
"His profligate spending habits led to bankruptcy."
Philatelist
A person who collects stamps
"The philatelist spent decades acquiring rare stamps."
Bellicose
Warlike; aggressive; prone to fighting
"The bellicose rhetoric increased international tensions."
Fulsome
Excessively praising; overdone
"Critics dismissed the fulsome review as unbelievable."
Parsimonious
Unwilling to spend money; stingy
"His parsimonious nature prevented charitable giving."
Laconic
Using very few words; brief
"The laconic response left many questions unanswered."
Truculent
Aggressive; hostile; belligerent
"The truculent tone of the email offended recipients."
Veneer
A thin protective layer; superficial appearance
"Beneath the veneer of civility lay deep conflict."
Vindicate
To clear of blame; to justify
"The evidence vindicated the defendant's innocence."
Wan
Pale; sickly looking
"The patient had a wan appearance after illness."
Wistful
Feeling yearning; nostalgic
"She had a wistful look as she remembered her childhood."
Volubility
Talkativeness; fluency of speech
"His volubility made him a natural public speaker."
Vitriolic
Harshly critical; caustic
"The vitriolic review was unnecessarily cruel."