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Content Curator | Updated On - Jun 19, 2024
GRE Text Completion questions gives you a brief passage in which 1-3 words have been left blank. You are given a list of words for each blank, and you choose the correct answers for all blanks in order to reconstruct a meaningful passage. GRE Text Completion Tips include-Scanning the passage thoroughly, recognizing words/phrases and picking the right words that fill the blanks making it a meaningful passage.
GRE text completion & sentence equivalence are considered difficult because it consists of strong vocabularies, grammatical guidelines, and rationalizing power.The GRE text completion section of the verbal section is similar to that of sentence completion.
GRE Text Completion Tips
You need to fill the given blank in the passage in order to make it meaningful. In case you don’t know, there is no partial credit. You will have to get the entire passage right to get credit. Here are a few GRE text completion strategies that aspirants swear by while GRE text completion practice.
Check out this Text Completion question:
While Knapp’s research (i) __________ the fact that traditional houses are (ii) __________ under assault from the market economy, rapid urbanization, and declining craft skills, it fails to address the scope of (iii) __________ tradition within modernity―the fusion of which is the right way to progress―thus portraying a picture of a losing battle.
A. Denigrates | D. Restructured | G. Replacing |
B. Epitomizes | E. Refurbished | H. Incorporating |
C. Distorts | F. Beleaguered | I. Dissociating |
- First Investigate the Clue
Before jumping for the solution, try to find out the clue in the GRE text question or in the statement that is provided.
In the sample question below, check , GRE fill in the blanks to get an idea:
“…the fact that traditional houses are (ii) __________ under assault from the market…”
From the phrase “under assault”, we infer that the answers will be “negative words”. Such words express disagreement or rejection.
Also, look at the following:
“…the scope of (iii) __________ tradition within modernity―the fusion …“
The word “fusion” instructs us to scout for words hinting at “joining” or “coming together”
These are clues we have to investigate and find out. To obtain clues, look for phrases or words that give the tone of the message. Once you understand where the question is pointing, you are one step closer to the answer.
Great, we now have “The Clue”—look for negative words.
- Break the text up into pieces
The length of text completion questions – especially questions that consist of an entire paragraph – can be difficult to understand all together .Before you consider any of the answer choices, break the text up into smaller portions and try to recognise the answer.
Check the sample question below:
While Knapp’s research (i) __________ the fact that traditional houses are (ii) __________ under assault from the market economy, rapid urbanization, and declining craft skills, it fails to address the scope of (iii) __________ tradition within modernity―the fusion of which is the right way to progress―thus portraying a picture of a losing battle.
Let’s break our question into two parts:
Consider the first two blanks:
“While Knapp’s research (i) __________ the fact that traditional houses are (ii) __________ under assault from the market economy, rapid urbanization, and declining craft skills,”
Here, the question is talking about a researcher called Knapp. His finding has come under fire due to his opinions about the plight of traditional houses. So our clue is confirmed—we have to look for “negative words”
Now concentrate on the latter part:
“…it fails to address the scope of (iii) __________ tradition within modernity―the fusion of which is the right way to progress―thus portraying a picture of a losing battle…”
Here, we understand that Knapp has failed to look at traditionality and modernity together. This cements our second clue. So by breaking the sentence into two parts we can comprehend what the question is really about and confirm what type of words we need to find.
- Insert your own words
While reading the passage, the candidate will get an idea of what kind of words can be put in those empty blanks. It is first advised to figure out the words then look for the answer choices. Once you get hold of the kinds of words to be put, the synonymous words will work, and thereby you can eliminate the unnecessary ones.
- Reading Post Completion
During your GRE text completion practice questions, ensure that you read the sentence after putting the answer choices to see if it is meaningful. This whole process of figuring out the accurate answer can make the candidate forget that making the whole passage meaningful is the original task.
How to get text completion and sentence equivalence GRE right?
Well ,this is not that difficult. GRE sentence equivalence tip would be a regular practice. Practice GRE text completion practice questions with answers to clear any doubts.
- Upgrade your Vocabulary: To upgrade your GRE vocabulary you need to master the words and not just learn them. Learning the words with the help of visuals is the ideal way. Learn 20 to 30 words every day.
Few books to enhance your vocab are:
GRE Verbal Workbook – Kaplan: Check PDF
GRE Prep by Magoosh: Check PDF
- Enhance your Comprehension : Read the newspaper editorial to familiarize yourself with the tough language used in GRE Verbal. This will make sure that you get used to the level of language and the vocabulary used in the various questions of GRE verbal. Read the books below for further knowledge:
Manhattan GRE Reading Comprehension & Essays: Check PDF
Manhattan Prep Reading Comprehension & Essays: Check PDF
- Practice, Practice ,Practice!!! The more you practice the more you have a clear idea about the questions and you can solve the questions easily. There are sites that provide free GRE text completion practice questions, you can check them out.. Here are a few practice papers to help you in your practice.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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