Easy Tips and Tricks for GRE Text Completion

This GRE Text Completion of the GRE test measures your ability to use reasoning to understand and analyze material that has been presented to you. They accomplish this by leaving out essential words from brief passages, leaving you to fill in the blanks by using the passage's remaining content as a guide to produce a coherent and meaningful whole.

Gateway Abroad Education is the best platform for covering all aspects of the GRE, from knowing when to take the test to learning how to be well-prepared. Before starting your preparation, explore our GRE exam guide to understand the test and its different sections. With its extensive resources and professional advice, you'll be ready to tackle the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) with assurance.

A Summary of GRE Text Completion

The GRE Verbal Reasoning exam comprises several crucial sections, one of which is the Text Completion section. Text passages ranging from one to five phrases with one to three missing words comprise the GRE Text Completion questions. You are provided with a list of choices for every blank in this section. In order to finish the sentence systematically, you must select the appropriate words. To get credit for many blanks, you must accurately fill in every blank.  It is your responsibility to choose the proper word from the list and provide context for the passage.  The GRE Text Completion section analyses students' critical thinking and checks their knowledge of advanced vocabulary.

The GRE Verbal section has roughly six text-completion questions in each of its six sub-sections, for a total of about twelve questions. According to the official ETS website, the GRE cost in India for the general test is ₹ $22,550. While it costs $220 in other countries, the price in China is $231.30.

GRE Text completion format and its type of question:

Every GRE text completion question has the same format, with one phrase or paragraph and one, two, or three blanks. The next step is to choose the word or phrase that best completes each blank while maintaining the sentence's overall meaning.

The GRE test, which was created by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), is exclusive in the format of its text completion questions. This is due to a number of factors, the primary one being that the original sentence's number of blanks varies depending on the question. The second primary distinction is that in multiple-choice questions involving blank text filling, you must choose every correct response in order to get any credit for the question.

Variations in GRE Text Completion Questions:

Single Blank Questions-

Out of the three types of text completion questions, single-blank questions are the most straightforward and concise. You are only required to choose one correct response from a set of five options for single-blank questions.

·         Sample Question for GRE Text Completion (Single Blank):

Hefele was definitely a sophisticated and worldly man; thus, it is hard to attribute his lack of success in the role on __________.

A.    feebleness, B. stupidity, C. laziness; D. cupidity, E. incapacity

The correct response is (A).

Explanation-

This single-blank GRE text completion question serves as an illustration of how even something as simple and brief as a sentence can present significant challenges in problem-solving. This looks like it should be a reasonably straightforward challenge to handle at first glance. It's hard to argue that Hefele's lack of success is due to his lack of sophistication and worldliness, given his level of sophistication and experience. Therefore, all we have to do is select an answer option that effectively implies "not sophisticated and worldly." After that, we're done. This question serves as a great illustration of how crucial it is to have a solid vocabulary base with a wide range of words in order to complete GRE text completion questions correctly.

The biggest obstacle preventing many students from optimizing their GRE Verbal section score is a minimal vocabulary in English. To strengthen this skill, explore these practical strategies to improve your English vocabulary and understand unfamiliar words in context. To demonstrate how simple it is to answer this question if you just understand what each word actually means. To this point, POE (Process of Elimination) is the most effective technique to arrive at the correct answer, presuming that the individual has a firm grasp of all five terms in the answer alternatives. For instance, being unintelligent does not imply being cosmopolitan or intellectual. Answer option (B) can thus be categorically ruled out. The same is true for response options (C), (D), and (E). This leads us to response option (A) feebleness via POE. Applying the proper meaning of feebleness in this context, it is evident that someone who has never experienced life is not a clever or worldly person. As a result, response option (A) feebleness is obviously the correct response.

Double and Triple Blanks Questions-

Text completion problems with double and triple blanks are typically lengthier and more complicated—sometimes noticeably. These problem types' question stems can have more than one sentence; that is, they can be little paragraphs of text rather than simply short sentence. Finally, response options for these kinds of questions could not always consist of merely one word but rather a string of words, such as a short sentence.

·         Sample Question on the GRE Text Completion (Double Blank)

The German scientific literature market in the nineteenth century was so strong that publishers were always concerned about (i)_______ of new titles. This fear resulted in even relatively unremarkable writers who wrote technical treatises for a living becoming (ii)_______.

The correct answers are (F) and (B).

Explanation-

This is a different kind of double-blank text completion problem, but it can be challenging. When students choose (A) pricing over (B) supplies, they typically select incorrectly on this issue. Why, then, would they act in this way? Keep in mind that GRE text completion questions assess more than just your command of English vocabulary. Also, they frequently determine phrase meaning. A student will need to dedicate a significant amount of effort to honing this talent if they hope to score highly on the verbal reasoning component of the GRE. Consistently understanding the correct "meaning" of a sentence is arguably more of a soft skill.

This problem's primary flaw is that students may have assumed something that needs to be supported by the evidence, most likely because they were answering the question from their perspective or real-world experience. For instance, you most likely picture reading books when you consider the topic of "books." As a result, (A) pricing seems to be appropriate in this situation. For the majority of frequent readers, a cheap book is preferable to one that costs more money. But this is where they attempt to trap you. In the sentence that relates to the first blank, who exactly is the subject? Upon closer inspection, the publishers are the ones at fault, not the customers. And what concerns would publishers of books have? Exorbitant book costs? Book publishers would prefer for book prices to be high since it would allow them to profit from the increased sales, particularly during this period of strong demand for scientific literature, as the question describes.

Then, at periods of extraordinarily high demand for their popular commodity, what would our nineteenth-century German book providers' main commercial concerns be? In other words, if 20,000 individuals are interested in purchasing a particular book but only 1,000 copies can be printed, they are losing out on a significant portion of their prospective sales.

As a result, although book buyers would primarily be concerned with book prices during periods of intense demand, book publishers would be far more concerned with their supply chain and satisfying the market for their product as a whole. As a result, (B) supplies rather than (A) prices are accurate. Regarding the second blank, if there is such a strong market demand for the books, then seller-side marketing plays a far more significant role, giving writers of books better-negotiating leverage than they would have in hard times. Strong bargaining positions (F) are, therefore, the appropriate response to the second blank.

Triple Blank Questions-

Sample Question on the GRE Text Completion (Triple Blank)

• It is frequently referred to as "willed forgetting" when unpleasant memories are suppressed. However, genuine forgetting differs from the occurrence of suppressed memory by (i)_______. Repressing unwanted memories requires work, but it is less effective (iii)_______ than actually forgetting them because forgotten experiences tend to resurface.

        Correct Answer is (B), (F), and (G).

Explanation-

Of the three issues covered here, this final GRE text completion question is arguably the most difficult. That actually shouldn't be shocking, though, as three blank questions are typically more complicated, longer, and, regrettably, more difficult to predict than one or two blank questions. Fortunately, of the three primary text completion question types, they are also the rarest.

Repressing bad memories is not the same as genuinely forgetting them, as implied by the question's statement that "repressing unwanted memories is less _______ than TRULY forgetting them." To genuinely lose them would be irreversible. Repressing them would, therefore, have a shorter-lasting effect, so the correct response in this case is (G) permanent.

Now that we understand the third blank let's examine the second one. The strong negation words in the sentence "In spite of the effort that it _______" imply that the reverse must be true, even if it might initially seem like temporarily suppressing a memory should be easier to perform than really erasing a memory forever. Therefore, repressing a memory for a short while must need more work than actually forgetting it. This means that (F) entails the correct response in this case.

It should be far easier to fill in this last, longer blank now that the majority of the problem has been resolved, and we have a much better grasp of the sentence's overall meaning.

As we already know, it seems to be far easier to forget than to temporarily suppress a memory completely. For this reason, there is a critical distinction between these two memory-related phenomena. Therefore, the correct response in this case is (B) different in its effect.

In contrast to single-blank questions, double- and triple-blank questions require you to choose one correct response from a list of three options for each blank. Furthermore, partial answers receive no points, which renders these challenges much more complicated to figure out. For instance, a random guess on a double-blank question has only a one in nine chance of being correct, while a guess on a triple-blank question has a one in twenty-seven chance of being accurate.

Methods for handling GRE Text Completion Questions -

The two main types of GRE Verbal questions that assess your understanding of higher-level English vocabulary words are text completion and sentence equivalency questions. You can also strengthen your verbal reasoning skills by practising these GRE Reading Comprehension strategies, which focus on understanding passages, identifying key ideas, and interpreting context. Even though these two question types do not only assess this specific skill set, it is unquestionably essential to raising one's score on this exam segment.

Read the entire passage: Give the passage a thorough read before beginning to fill in the blanks. Gaining an understanding of the overarching concept, essential ideas, and cohesive flow will be beneficial. Making the correct word choice to capture the author's meaning entirely is much easier when you understand the paragraph in its entirety. For instance, you can choose idioms and phrases that express progress and creative thinking when the chapter discusses technological advancements.

Look for hints: The written word for the blank is often hinted at or suggested by the content. Pay attention to the way the paragraph flows, the way the phrases are put together, and the overall mood of the section. These invisible clues might reveal the author's tone, feelings, and line of reasoning. It's crucial to select words for the blanks that correspond with this change in perspective while transitioning from a critical to a positive one.

To guess before you peek: Before looking at the possible answers, try your hand at guessing a word that might fit in the blank. By taking the initiative, you may protect yourself from the impact of bad decisions and maintain a sharper concentration. If the paragraph is about environmental conservation, for instance, your decision-making process can be influenced by picturing a word like sustainability before evaluating the possibilities.

Verify each option: Make sure to carefully consider each of the available response options whenever you encounter a blank. Eliminate choices that don't align with the passage's general tone, meaning, or feel. Your choice of words should make perfect sense in the context of the sentence, improving its flow and logic. Additionally, keep in mind that if the section is all about cooperating and teamwork, search for phrases that illustrate cooperation, as they will be a perfect match for the subject.

Utilize those hints provided by the context: Context is a practical resource for identifying the ideal word to fill in the blank. Words preceding and following the blank should be closely examined because they contain essential hints. You can guarantee a perfect fit by exploring the connections between these terms and the possible contextual usage of word responses.

Grammar is essential: The word choice must make sense within the sentence's grammatical structure and fit the context. Learning GRE words will help you make grammatically correct sentences. They ought to fit in perfectly and not cause any discomfort.

One against several blanks: Answers to questions with one or more blanks should be handled differently than those with more than one. When dealing with single-blank questions, concentrate on the central concept and hold it like a pro. When faced with many blanks, determine the relationship between the blanks. A reasonable and meaningful sentence should be formed by the words selected for each blank.

Remove when unsure: In situations when doubt arises, apply the process of elimination. Answer options that clearly do not fit the tone, topic, or meaning of the paragraph should be avoided. You can reduce the number of options available to you and raise the probability of choosing the correct response by methodically breaking the sentences.

Steer clear of drama: Be cautious when responding with extremely dramatic or extravagant responses. An appropriate response would not exaggerate and would instead fit the tone and content of the piece. Choosing a word that has been evaluated and fits the mood and significance of the piece is usually the best option.

Keep an eye on the time:

1. Avoid concentrating on a single question for too long.
2. If you find yourself stuck, get over it and try again later.
3. If possible, proceed to the following query and come back to it later.

Managing your time well will guarantee that you get the most out of the Text Completion portion.

Use genuine GRE practice tools:  Practice with genuine GRE materials, such as official practice exams and sample questions, to enhance your text completion abilities. You can take the Gateway Abroad Jaipur GRE practice test series, which will guide you properly on how to score 160+ in the GRE verbal section. For structured practice across Verbal Reasoning and the other GRE sections, explore our GRE preparation course, which includes practice materials, mock tests, and preparation guidance. Read up on the terms and expressions that are frequently used in text completion problems. It would help if you also learned to recognize the minute differences in intonation and intention that can guide you in selecting the proper response.

Examine your responses: When you finally submit your test, go over your responses. In order to make sure your chosen words or phrases make sense and are grammatically correct, double-check them. Ascertain that the options you choose align with the sentence's content and style. You can increase your correctness and identify any thoughtless errors by going over your responses again.

Gateway Abroad Jaipur Tricks for GRE Text Completion Questions

Although it can occasionally seem impossible to prepare for the Text Completion problems on the GRE Verbal section, there are three main areas where regular work will lead to increases in your performance.

• Increase your vocabulary in advanced English.
• Become more adept at determining the original sentence's genuine meaning.
• Discover the most typical strategies used by the GRE to deceive and trap you, and keep an eye out for these traps on all of your upcoming practice questions.

GRE Text Completion practice questions-

1.  Gustave Flaubert was so ........... with belly dancing during his 1850 Middle East vacation that he wrote a letter to his mother claiming that the dancers alone were worth the trip.

(A) overpowered by (B) mesmerized (C) shocked by (D) pleaded with by (E) agitated by 

Answer: (B) mesmerized 

Explanation- The dancers alone made his trip worthwhile is a hint. Moreover, they impressed Flaubert. The only word that adequately expresses this sensation is enamored by. The word "overwhelmed" suggests that Flaubert was given more than he could manage. Conversely, taken aback by only implies that our traveler was taken aback by the dancers; we cannot be certain that his surprise was pleasant. Beseeched by, on the other hand, does not convey Flaubert's feelings; if the performances had scared him, he would not have thought the experience was worthwhile.

2. Legislators are manipulating the demography of each district so that those in power can easily win ……. elections, and as a result, the borders of congressional districts are being drawn in a way that increasingly favors incumbents. Of course, it's always possible that a challenge from within the party will arise for the incumbent. That being said, after the primary, the general election is (ii).

Answer: (A) an ineluctable and (F) merely denouement

Explanation- If district boundaries are drawn to safeguard incumbents or those currently holding office, then success for those incumbents ought to be all but certain. These terms are equivalent to inevitable. Both "invidious" and "plangent," which imply "causing envy" and "full of lamentation," lack the same level of evidence as the credited answer. A few transitional words precede the second blank. The first, of course, suggests a shift in direction even though it seems like the paragraph is still going in the same way: The author acknowledges that incumbents encounter difficulties from time to time. The second, however, likewise veers off course, bringing the text back to its original position and asserting that elections are effectively decided upon in advance.

That is the meaning of simple denouement. Seldom nugatory is incorrect because it implies that the general election is not very important, which is contrary to what the paragraph suggests; similarly, amazingly controversial is erroneous because it means that the general election is highly disputed.

3. Unlike the expatriates of yester years, who gave nothing back to their native lands, those today are making _____________ investments.

a.      More or less the same

b.      Much smaller

c.       Truly commendable

d.      Mandatory

e.       Obligatory

    Ans is c: Truly commendable.

Explanation- The first word of this one blank text completion question gives us a hint. The word "Unlike," which we know denotes a contrast, appears at the beginning of the statement. For instance, "B is low compared to A, which is high."

 This statement draws a parallel between expatriates from the past and present. The expatriates of the past made no contributions to their home countries. Conversely, what are modern expatriates expected to accomplish? It is required of them to give back to their home countries and be kind. Therefore, comparing their contributions will show that expatriates today are far more giving and make more noteworthy investments.

As you practise these techniques, understanding what constitutes a good GRE score can help you set a realistic target for your preparation.

FAQs-

Q.1 What type of questions are text completion on the GRE?

Ans- Questions in the verbal reasoning section of the GRE are of the type known as GRE text completion questions. Examinees must choose the appropriate words or phrases from the list of response options to finish a statement that has one or more blank spaces in a grammatically accurate and logically coherent manner.

Q.2 Which abilities are assessed in text completion questions on the GRE?

Ans- GRE text completion questions, such as terminologies, phrase structure knowledge, evaluation of context, and analytical thinking, test a variety of abilities. In addition to having a solid understanding of English grammar and vocabulary, test takers must be able to understand the purpose of the sentences.

Q.3 How can you do better on text completion questions on the GRE?

Ans- Regular practice with natural GRE resources, such as authentic practice exams and question samples, will help you do better on GRE text completion questions. Learn the kinds of terms and expressions that frequently show up in text completion questions and cultivate comprehension techniques for reference and structuring sentences. In order to select wisely from the available answers, you also need to concentrate on improving your knowledge of words and rational thinking abilities.