GRE RC: Purpose of a Term Questions

The following video, a part of our GRE prep course, and the theory that follows give you a focused recap of the Mind Map Approach, explain how to apply it to GRE purpose of a term questions, and then demonstrate its use on GRE-style questions with representative answer choices so you gain first-hand experience. Take your time, pause the video to apply the approach yourself, study each explanation carefully, and by the end, build a steady habit of using the Mind Map Approach for purpose of a term questions across your GRE practice quizzes, GRE sectional practice tests, and GRE mock tests.

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Understanding the Purpose of a Term GRE RC Questions

What do the purpose of a term GRE RC questions look like?

On a purpose of the term RC question on the GRE, a specific term within the passage is highlighted, which could be a word or a short phrase. The question focuses on understanding the purpose of the highlighted term. One type of question asks why the author includes the term, while another asks how the term contributes to the explanation. Each question follows a multiple-choice format, with five answer choices and only one correct answer.

Recap of the Mind Map Approach for Solving RC

In an earlier lesson, you learned the Mind Map Approach for solving any GRE Reading Comprehension question, and this lesson builds on that foundation. A part of our online GRE prep course, the Mind Map Approach helps you handle GRE Reading Comprehension in a structured way that supports both accuracy and pace.

Summary: Mind-Map Approach (MMA) for attempting all GRE RCs

Before moving ahead, here is a brief refresh of the Mind Map Approach –

Begin by skimming the first byte of the passage, which means one logical piece you can process in a single look, without entering details. Ask yourself what this byte does and keep the takeaway short. Move to the next byte, ask the same question, and keep that takeaway short as well. Link these takeaways as you move forward and repeat this process for each new byte to build a clear mind map of the passage. After that, read the question and remove incorrect answer choices using a grid.

Using the Mind Map Approach for Solving Purpose of a Term GRE RC Questions

Finding the purpose of a term in a passage on GRE RC

The Mind Map Approach supports all RC question types. In this lesson, the focus is on applying the Mind Map Approach to purpose of a term questions. In such questions, a specific term, usually a word or a short phrase, is highlighted within the passage, and your task is to select the answer choice that best captures why that term appears in that specific place. The Mind Map you build shows how ideas develop and connect across the passage, which helps you clearly see the local context surrounding the highlighted term. As a result, you understand what role the term plays in supporting the author’s point at that moment in the passage. To solve these questions, you return to the relevant part of the passage, examine the nearby context a bit deeper, set a broad expectation for the correct answer choice, and then eliminate incorrect answer choices to arrive at the correct one.

GRE-Style Purpose-of-a-Term RC Practice Question

Below is a snapshot of the GRE style Purpose-of-a-Term based Reading Comprehension question discussed in the video, along with the Mind Map approach used to solve it and the Mind Map created for the passage.

GRE SE question

Correct Answer: E

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

Following is a step-wise written explanation, using our Mind Map Approach…

Step 1 and 2: First Byte

Byte: “Can we consider Carl Sagan a remarkable scientist? One’s immediate reaction may be to dismiss this question as superfluous.”
- What it did: It introduced the central question about Sagan’s scientific status.

Step 3 and 4: Subsequent Bytes

Second Byte: “A gifted astronomer… key role… search for extraterrestrial life… widely recognized… advocate for science education.”
- What it did: It built a case for Sagan’s greatness by highlighting his diverse accomplishments.
Third Byte: “However… incongruent with his standing among scientists… unwilling to group him alongside say, Ghez or Drake… worked best serving as a liaison.”
- What it did: It introduced a counterpoint, using Ghez and Drake as examples of “pure” specialists to show why some hesitate to rank Sagan with them.

Step 5: Read the Question

Question: The author mentions Ghez and Drake primarily to…

Step 6: Eliminate

Exemplify astronomers who are often contrasted against Sagan
(Eliminate: The passage does not say they are “often” contrasted; they are used here as a specific comparison for this argument).
Highlight astronomers who are more famous than Sagan
(Eliminate: The text suggests Sagan has “enduring fame” that might actually exceed theirs).
Highlight astronomers who built on Sagan’s findings
(Eliminate: There is no mention of their research being based on his work).
Establish the climate in which Sagan conducted his research
(Eliminate: These names are used to define a category of scientist, not the historical era or environment).
Set a benchmark against which to compare Sagan
(Keep: They represent the “specialist” standard that some scientists feel Sagan did not meet).