GRE Text Completion Practice Session 01

Anand G Shankar | Content Lead

Welcome to our GRE Text Completion practice session! Today, we delve into the complexities of these challenging sentence structures. Our focus lies on harder GRE words, presented in double negative, double positive, and false contrast sentences.

Through this session, we'll explore single, double, and triple blanks, testing our knowledge of GRE vocabulary and sentence comprehension. Single blanks demand precise word choices, while double and triple blanks require careful analysis and context interpretation.

Prepare for unfamiliar words that will soon become familiar as we dissect their meanings. Practice and perseverance will be our guides as we aim to master these intricate GRE Text Completion questions. Set a timer of 8 minutes and solve the following 5 questions. Answers and explanation for each question can be found at the bottom.

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Answers and Explanation

Question 1

The word that best fits the sentence is "harbinger" (option D).

The reason the other options do not fit is as follows:

A. Modicum: This word means a small amount or portion, and it does not convey the sense of a symbol of positivity or heralding a future.

B. Abrogation: This word means the act of repealing or abolishing something, and it does not convey the sense of a symbol or a positive future.

C. Concomitance: This word means the simultaneous occurrence of events, but it does not convey the idea of a symbol or heralding a future.

D. Harbinger: This word means a sign or indicator of something to come. It fits the sentence because it implies that the thing being described unexpectedly emerged as a symbol of positivity, heralding a future filled with positive prospects.

E. Avarice: This word means greed or excessive desire for wealth. It does not fit the sentence as it does not convey the idea of a symbol or heralding a positive future.

Question 2

For this question, the best answer choices for the two blanks would be:

First Blank: B. despotic

Second Blank: E. impecunious

The reason for selecting these words over the other options is as follows:

A. avaricious: This word means greedy or materialistic. While it describes a negative quality of employers, it does not directly relate to their power being curtailed. It does not fit the context of the sentence.

B. despotic: This word means tyrannical or oppressive. It accurately describes the negative power of employers being curtailed by the Wagner Act, implying a strong control or dominance that is now limited.

C. ebbing: This word means declining or diminishing. While it suggests a decrease in power, it does not convey the idea of employers' power being curtailed by the Wagner Act. It does not fit the context of the sentence.

D. evanescent: This word means fleeting or transient. It does not convey the idea of power being curtailed and does not fit the context of the sentence.

E. impecunious: This word means lacking money or financially poor. It effectively contrasts with the power of employers being curtailed, emphasizing the need for legal protection for financially vulnerable workers.

F. bathetic: This word means producing an unintentional anticlimactic effect. It does not convey the idea of employer power being curtailed and does not fit the context of the sentence.

Overall, the combination of "despotic" and "impecunious" provides a meaningful and coherent sentence that accurately represents the intended context of the passage.

Question 3

First Blank (Options A, B, and C): "halcyon," "concomitant," and "jejune."

The term "halcyon" refers to a period of peace, happiness, or prosperity. In the context of the sentence, it appropriately describes the lab mate's dedication and meticulous attention to detail in their medical biotechnology research.

Second Blank (Options D, E, and F): "sybarite," "peremptory," and "coaxing."

The term "peremptory" means assertive or commanding in a dictatorial manner. Although it doesn't directly imply rushing through experiments, it can convey an authoritative attitude, which can be applicable in this context.

Third Blank (Options G, H, and I): "ineluctable," "execrable," and "cozening."

The term "execrable" means extremely bad or of very poor quality. It accurately describes the attitude displayed by the other lab mate, hindering the progress of the shared project.

Conclusion:

First Blank: A. halcyon

Second Blank: E. peremptory

Third Blank: H. execrable

Question 4

Let’s analyse the text

For the first blank:

A. "lugubrious" means mournful or gloomy. While the research endeavor may be struggling, it is not necessarily characterized by a mournful or gloomy state.

B. "vituperative" means bitter and abusive. This word doesn't fit the context of a research endeavor in disarray.

C. "inchoate" means not fully formed or developed, which accurately describes the state of the research endeavor that is lacking direction and coherence.

For the second blank:

D. "moribund" means near death or in a dying state. It conveys the idea that the research endeavor is no longer viable or productive, fitting the description of the languishing project.

E. "flummoxing" means confusing or perplexing. While the research endeavor may indeed be confusing, it doesn't capture the sense of stagnation or lack of progress that is conveyed by the word "moribund."

F. "mulcting" means defrauding or cheating. This word doesn't fit the context of a research endeavor that is struggling or in disarray.

Therefore, "inchoate" and "moribund" are the most suitable choices for the respective blanks based on their meanings and their alignment with the given context.

Question 5

Here's an analysis of the word choices and their fit within the context:

For the first blank:

A. "abjuring" means renouncing or abstaining from something. While dedication could involve making sacrifices, the word "abjuring" doesn't quite capture the positive aspect of commitment and devotion.

B. "rapturous" means filled with great joy or enthusiasm. While dedication can be accompanied by enthusiasm, "rapturous" may imply an excessive level of emotion that may not be appropriate in the context of scientific research.

C. "unstinting" means giving or providing without restraint. This word accurately captures the idea of dedicated and generous commitment, making it the most fitting choice for the first blank.

For the second blank:

D. "conspicuous" means easily seen or noticeable. This word suggests that the team's avoidance is noticeable or intentional, conveying a sense of purposeful decision-making.

E. "mettlesome" means spirited or courageous. While this word could relate to the team's approach, it doesn't directly align with the concept of avoidance.

F. "noisome" means offensive or unpleasant. This word doesn't fit the context of dedication and avoidance.

For the third blank:

G. "scintillation" means brilliance or sparkling quality. While this word has a positive connotation, it doesn't directly connect with the concept of avoidance.

H. "cravenness" means cowardice or lack of bravery. In the given context, "cravenness" would be the most fitting word for the third blank. It aligns with the idea of an avoidance that is driven by fear or lack of courage, highlighting a negative aspect of the team's approach.

I. "chagrin" means distress or embarrassment. This word doesn't align with the positive qualities of dedication and commitment.

Therefore, "unstinting," "conspicuous," and “cravenness” are credited response