GRE Highlighted Text Questions

Highlighted text questions in GRE Critical Reasoning present a dense argument in which one or two portions are clearly highlighted (marked). The question stem always asks you to identify the role played by the highlighted text within the argument. Your task is to select the answer choice that correctly describes the role(s) plated by the highlighted portion(s) in the overall reasoning.

To solve these questions, you first read the argument and build a clear mind map that connects all the key points. Your mind map must end with a clear conclusion. Next, you must link each highlighted portion to the conclusion – this would give you a clear understanding of what role each highlighted text plays in context of the reasoning. Accordingly, set a broad expectation for what the correct answer must convey (before reading the answer choices; else, the complex wording of the answer choices in this question type will have you confused). Then, go by elimination, removing choices that do not match your broad expectation from the correct answer choice. Before confirming your answer, cross-check that your selection accurately describes the role of the highlighted text in the context of the full argument.

The following comprehensive video lesson, included in our GRE online prep course, explains highlighted text Critical Reasoning questions in a clear and structured manner. It outlines our methodical approach to solving these questions and demonstrates the strategy on GRE-style examples, helping you to see precisely how the approach operates in practice. Study the suggested method carefully and apply it consistently when working on highlighted text GRE CR questions.

End-to-End GRE Prep Course

How Highlighted Text Questions Appear on the GRE

What do the CR Highlighted Text questions look like

In Critical Reasoning Highlighted Text questions, you analyze a short paragraph between 60 and 100 words. This text contains one or two sets of highlighted words that emphasize specific parts of the argument. You must determine the logical function of these highlighted portions or identify how they interact with each other.

The question directs you to identify the specific role the highlighted text plays within the overall argument. Every question follows a multiple-choice format with five distinct answer choices. Only one of these choices is correct. To find the right answer, focus on the structural purpose of the highlighted words rather than just their literal meaning.

Strategy for Solving Highlighted Text Questions

Approach for Solving Highlighted Text questions

Identify Highlighted Text questions and focus immediately on the highlighted segments and their roles. You must target the function of these specific words because the question always centers on this aspect of the argument. Delay reading the answer choices to maintain a clear and focused understanding of the reasoning. Read the paragraph carefully to determine how the ideas connect within the passage. Create a mind map by connecting the key points and identify the conclusion clearly to anchor your logic. Link the highlighted text directly to that conclusion to understand its function. Form a broad expectation of the correct answer before you review the options. Use the grid approach to eliminate answer choices systematically and efficiently. Duly understand this approach and apply it in your GRE drills, GRE sectional mocks, and GRE full mocks.

Summary of the Approach for Highlighted Text Questions

Summary: Approach for solving Highlighted text questions

Identify the conclusion of the argument clearly and directly. Link the highlighted part or parts with the conclusion to understand their role in the reasoning. Set a broad expectation of the correct answer before you evaluate the options. Use a clear and structured grid approach to eliminate four answer choices and arrive at the best answer with focus and clarity.

GRE-style Highlighted Text Practice Question with Explanation

Correct Answer: E

For a detailed explanation of this question, please refer to the video presented earlier on this page.

Following is a concise, step-wise written explanation, using our Missing-Link Approach (MLA)…

Step 1: Identify the conclusion of the argument

The final sentence is the main conclusion: “Therefore, sleep-deprived individuals cannot safely operate motor vehicles.”

Step 2: Link the highlighted parts with the conclusion

The passage is structured into these three logical “bytes”:

Byte 1 (Premise): Sleep deprivation causes melatonin buildup, which slows down neurons and the nervous system.
Byte 2 (Intermediate Conclusion): Because the nervous system is slow, cognitive and motor skills become impaired.
Byte 3 (Main Conclusion): Because skills are impaired, sleep-deprived people cannot drive safely.

The Links:

First highlighted text: This is a premise. It provides a scientific reason that supports the idea that the nervous system is impacted.
Second highlighted text: This is an intermediate conclusion. It is a claim based on the first part, and it directly supports the final conclusion about driving safety.

Step 3: Set a broad expectation from the correct answer choice

We are looking for an option where the first part is a premise or support, and the second part is an intermediate conclusion that leads to the final point.

Step 4: Eliminate four answer choices

The second part does not provide evidence for an “objection.” It supports the argument. Eliminate.
The first part is a premise (evidence), not an intermediate conclusion. Eliminate.
The first part is not the “overall conclusion. Eliminate.
The second part does not assert a stance “opposed” to the argument. Eliminate.
The first part supports an intermediate conclusion (that the nervous system is impacted), and the second part is indeed the intermediate conclusion (that abilities are impaired) which supports the final conclusion. Keep.