GRE Text Completion (TC) Practice Questions

Written Explanation
 
The intended core meaning of the sentence: That the President made a boldly misleading argument about lowering the unemployment rate, contradicting obvious evidence.

Reasoning around the blank space: The catch for filling the blank in this sentence lies in identifying the contrast in the usage “…President made…BRAZENLY SOPHISTIC argument…he had…BRING the UNEMPLOYMENT RATE LOWER than it had ever been in…HISTORY, _____ easily available…EVIDENCE gathered by…REPUTABLE news firms”, which implies a difference between the President’s assertion and the reality; this contrast suggests that the sentence intends to convey that during the debate, the President made the boldly misleading argument that he had managed to bring the unemployment rate lower than it had ever been in the country’s history, contradicting easily available statistical evidence gathered by his own administration and reputable news firms. Hence, for the blank, we need a word that conveys the idea of “contradicting” easily available statistical evidence.

Broad expectation from the correct answer choice: A word conveying the idea of contradicting.

A. This answer choice, “reiterating”, meaning “emphasizing or restating a point”, does not match our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of contradicting. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

B. This answer choice, “conflating”, meaning “merging two or more different ideas”, does not match our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of contradicting. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

C. Correct. This answer choice, “contravening”, meaning “violating or contradicting something”, matches our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of contradicting. Hence, this answer choice is correct.

D. This answer choice, “affirming”, meaning “expressing agreement with a statement”, is opposite to our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of contradicting. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

E. This answer choice, “inflating”, meaning “exaggerating” or “magnifying the value of something”, does not match our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of contradicting. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

Thus, C is the correct answer choice.

Written Explanation
 
Reasoning:

In the phrase “supposedly fervent desire for solitude”, the usage of “supposedly” implies that the “desire” referenced here is not real or, at least, not prevalent, and the usage of the phrase “is typically treated with, mostly justified,…” indicates that the first blank conveys an appropriate response to the “supposedly fervent desire”. Therefore, the only logical answer choice for blank (i) is B – “skepticism”.

The usage of the clause “since socialization seems to be this generation’s primary source of…” in conjunction with “The younger generation’s supposedly fervent desire for solitude is typically treated with, mostly justified, skepticism” implies that this clause provides a justification for why the younger generation’s desire for solitude is treated with skepticism; hence, the second blank must refer to something positive to convey that the younger generation actually has a positive relationship with “socialization”, and thus, logically, does not fervently desire solitude. Therefore, the only logical answer choice for blank (ii) is F – “amusement”.

Correct combination of answer choices:

B. “skepticism”, meaning “doubt about the truth of something”.

F. “amusement”, meaning “entertainment”.

The aforesaid combination of answer choices leads to a logical and coherent completion of the paragraph.

Incorrect answer choices:

A. This answer choice “deference”, meaning “polite regard for people’s feelings”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

C. This answer choice “sympathy”, meaning “concern”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

D. This answer choice “disquiet”, meaning “feeling of unease”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

E. This answer choice “belligerence”, meaning “aggressive behavior”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

Thus, B and F are the correct combination of answer choices.

Written Explanation
 
Reasoning:

The usage of the clause “Theodor Geisel, also produced a series of…artworks” indicates that the first blank characterizes these particular artworks”, and the usage of the phrase “Renowned children’s illustrator” to describe “Theodor Geisel” implies that these artworks are of good quality; hence, “reviled” can be eliminated; “truculent” can be eliminated as well, as a painting cannot logically be described as hostile or argumentative. Therefore, the most fitting answer choice for blank (i) is C – “beauteous”.

The usage of the clause “his distinctively whimsical style” indicates that the second blank describes the relation between the painter’s whimsy and the “unnerving content” of these paintings. From the usage of the phrase “Renowned children’s illustrator” to describe “Theodor Geisel”, it can be concluded that Geisel’s work is viewed positively, in this context; hence, the negative descriptors “overshadowed by” and “awkwardly clashing with” can be eliminated. Therefore, the best answer choice for blank (ii) is E – “wonderfully at odds with”.

The usage of the clause “These paintings were not produced for…” in conjunction with “Geisel kept them in a private collection, and they were only displayed to the public after his passing” indicates that the third blank refers to a factor that was not part of Geisel’s motivation for producing these paintings and that this factor is something along the lines of “attention”. Therefore, the best answer choice for blank (iii) is I – “notoriety”.

Correct combination of answer choices:

C. “beauteous”, meaning “beautiful”.

E. “wonderfully at odds with”, meaning “pleasingly different from”.

I. “notoriety”, meaning “being known for something bad”.

The aforesaid combination of answer choices leads to a logical and coherent completion of the paragraph.

Incorrect answer choices:

A. This answer choice “truculent”, meaning “aggressively rebellious”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

B. This answer choice “reviled”, meaning “criticized”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

D. This answer choice “overshadowed by”, meaning “outshined by”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

F. This answer choice “awkwardly clashing with”, meaning “uncomfortably conflicting with”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

G. This answer choice “exploration”, meaning “a systematic consideration”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

H. This answer choice “amusement”, meaning “entertainment”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

Thus, C, E, and I are the correct combination of answer choices.

Written Explanation
 
The intended core meaning of the sentence: That the ambassadors were not very fascinated by technological innovations, but by the American international supply chains.

Reasoning around the blank space: The catch for filling the blank in this sentence lies in identifying the contrast in the usage “Not particularly _____ technological innovations…had ALREADY FAMILIARIZED themselves…first Japanese ambassadors to the US…RATHER CAPTIVATED by…international supply chains…”, which highlights the differing interests of the ambassadors; this contrast suggests that the sentence intends to convey that the first Japanese ambassadors to the US were not particularly fascinated by technological innovations, which they had already familiarized themselves with, but they were rather captivated by the complexities of the international supply chains that supported American commerce. Hence, for the blank, we need a word that conveys the idea of the first Japanese ambassadors to the US not being particularly “fascinated by” technological innovations.

Broad expectation from the correct answer choice: A word conveying the idea of being “fascinated by”.

A. This answer choice, “sequestered from”, meaning “kept apart from something”, does not match our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of being “fascinated by”. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

B. This answer choice, “inundated by”, meaning “overwhelmed by something” or “receive something in a large amount”, does not match our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of being “fascinated by”. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

C. This answer choice, “solicited by”, meaning “asked for or requested something”, does not match our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of being “fascinated by”. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

D. This answer choice, “deterred from”, meaning “discouraged from doing something”, does not match our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of being “fascinated by”. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

E. Correct. This answer choice, “entranced by”, meaning “fascinated or charmed by something”, matches our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of being “fascinated by”. Hence, this answer choice is correct.

Thus, E is the correct answer choice.

Written Explanation
 
Reasoning:

The usage of the clause “A straightforward depiction of rural life is…serious contemporary art” in conjunction with “ambitious, high-caliber filmmakers, painters, photographers, and writers have abandoned” implies that the broad context here is that those who produce “serious art” have ceased to do something and the first blank refers to the position of “straightforward depiction of rural life” in “serious contemporary art”. Therefore, the only fitting answer choice for blank (i) is B – “absent in”.

The usage of the clause formed by the first answer choice “A straightforward depiction of rural life is absent in serious contemporary art” in conjunction with “ambitious, high-caliber filmmakers, painters, photographers, and writers have abandoned the…” indicates that the second blank refers to what is “absent in serious contemporary art”; hence, the second blank must be a term that can encompass “A straightforward depiction of rural life”. Therefore, the only logical answer choice for blank (ii) is F – “pastoral”.

Correct combination of answer choices:

B. “absent in”, meaning “not present in something”.

F. “pastoral”, meaning “related to rural life” or “priestly”.

The aforesaid combination of answer choices leads to a logical and coherent completion of the paragraph.

Incorrect answer choices:

A. This answer choice “indispensable for”, meaning “absolutely necessary for something”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

C. This answer choice “appreciated in”, meaning “recognized as valuable in something”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

D. This answer choice “cosmic”, meaning “related to the universe”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

E. This answer choice “homely”, meaning “having a home-like simplicity”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

Thus, B and F are the correct combination of answer choices.

Written Explanation
 
Reasoning:

The usage of the phrase “knowledge of survival in the wilderness” indicates that the broad context of the passage is traversing the dangers of the wilderness; hence the use of the phrase “one of the most pristine tropical rainforests in the world” to describe “the Darrien Gap” implies that it is a dangerous place; further, the usage of “the Darrien Gap” in conjunction with “is quite obviously…” indicates that the first blank refers to a characteristic of the Darrien Gap, and thus, given the broad context established, the first blank must refer to the danger or harshness of “the Darrien Gap”. Therefore, the only fitting answer choice for blank (i) is C – “impassible”.

The usage of the phrase formed by the first blank – “is quite obviously impassible” – in conjunction with “…terrain to traverse” indicates that the phrase formed by the second blank underscores the fact that the Darrien Gap is “impassible”; hence, the second blank must refer to the danger or harshness of “the Darrien Gap”. Therefore, the only fitting answer choice for blank (ii) is D – “an unpropitious”.

The usage of the clause “even the most experienced hikers…in crossing this dense stretch of South/Central American wilderness” in conjunction with the phrases formed by the first and second blanks – “is quite obviously impassible” and “an unpropitious terrain to traverse” – indicates that the third blank characterizes the experience of crossing the Darrien Gap and conveys that doing so is difficult. Therefore, the only fitting answer choice for blank (iii) is I – “face immense adversity”.

Correct combination of answer choices:

C. “impassable”, meaning “incapable of being passed through”.

D. “an unpropitious”, meaning “an unfavorable”.

I. “face immense adversity”, meaning “deal with great hardship”.

The aforesaid combination of answer choices leads to a logical and coherent completion of the paragraph.

Incorrect answer choices:

A. This answer choice “immaculate”, meaning “perfectly clean”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

B. This answer choice “untouched”, meaning “not damaged in any way”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

E. This answer choice “a routine”, meaning “an ordinary”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

F. This answer choice “a slapdash”, meaning “a disorganized”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

G. This answer choice “experience unimaginable awe”, meaning “feel an extreme sense of wonder”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

H. This answer choice “earn considerable prestige”, meaning “gain a high level of respect”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

Thus, C, D, and I are the correct combination of answer choices.

Written Explanation
 
The intended core meaning of the sentence: That high-performing students suffer less from a lack of adult supervision, as they are innately motivated.

Reasoning around the blank space: The catch for filling the blank in this sentence lies in identifying the cause-effect relationship expressed in the usage “…students…PERFORMING WELL…TYPICALLY SUFFER LESS from _____ adult SUPERVISION, AS they are DRIVEN ENOUGH to…MANAGE their academics”, which implies a certain factor leading to a positive consequence for high-performing students; this causal connection suggests that the sentence intends to convey that studies show that students who are already performing well typically suffer less from a lack of adult supervision, as they are motivated enough to effectively manage their academics on their own. Hence, for the blank, we need a word that conveys the idea of students suffering less from “a lack of” adult supervision.

Broad expectation from the correct answer choice: A word conveying the idea of “a lack of” or “unavailability of”.

A. This answer choice, “a deterrent of”, meaning “something that discourages an action”, does not match our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of “a lack of” or “unavailability of”. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

B. Trap. This answer choice, “a menace of”, meaning “something that causes harm or trouble”, does not match our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of “a lack of” or “unavailability of”. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

C. This answer choice, “an influx of”, meaning “large arrival or increase of something”, is opposite to our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of “a lack of” or “unavailability of”. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

D. Correct. This answer choice, “a dearth of”, meaning “scarcity or lack of something”, matches our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of “a lack of” or “unavailability of”. Hence, this answer choice is correct.

E. This answer choice, “the curse of”, meaning “wishing harm upon”, does not match our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of “a lack of” or “unavailability of”. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

Thus, D is the correct answer choice.

Written Explanation
 
Reasoning:

The usage of the phrase “narratives that the wrongdoers formulate to minimize their guilt” alongside the phrase “In the most common of these narratives” and the clause “the guilty…the wrongdoings as the sole responsibility of a small group of individuals” conveys that groups of guilty promote the idea that only a small number of the members of their group are actually guilty; hence, the usage of the clause “the guilty…the wrongdoings as the sole responsibility of a small group of individuals” indicates that the first blank is the action that “the guilty” take regarding this idea and this action must be something along the lines of “formulate”. Thus, the only fitting answer choice for blank (i) is B – “depict”.

The usage of the clause “those involved in proscribing punishment…this endeavor” in conjunction with “worried about the cost and ramifications of penalizing such broad groups of people” indicates that the second blank refers to an action that those responsible for punishing the guilty are likely to take toward the idea that only a small number of individuals are guilty and that those responsible for the punishment do not wish to punish a large number of people; hence, the second blank must be something along the lines of “support”. Thus, the only logical answer choice for blank (ii) is D – “cooperate in”.

Correct combination of answer choices:

B. “depict”, meaning “show”.

D. “cooperate in”, meaning “work together in”.

The aforesaid combination of answer choices leads to a logical and coherent completion of the paragraph.

Incorrect answer choices:

A. This answer choice “accept”, meaning “admit to”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

C. This answer choice “anoint”, meaning “select”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

E. This answer choice “reject”, meaning “refuse”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

F. This answer choice “raise concerns regarding”, meaning “express worries about”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

Thus, B and D are the correct combination of answer choices.

Written Explanation
 
Reasoning:

The usage of the clause “Psychology aims to deepen our understanding of the mind” implies that the purpose of psychology is related to accumulating knowledge. Hence, the most fitting answer choice for blank (i) is C – “contemplating”.

The sentence formed by the first blank – “Psychology aims to deepen our understanding of the mind by contemplating what is most intrinsic to our mental faculties” conveys that psychology focuses on studying a particular set of subjects, and the clause – “The core of psychology is…the subjects” implies that the second blank must refer to an action that psychology would likely take toward these “subjects””; hence the correct answer choice must be something along the lines of “focusing on” or “studying”. Therefore, the most fitting answer choice for blank (ii) is F – “plumbing”.

The sentence formed by the second and third blanks – “The core of psychology is plumbing the subjects that are…” – indicates that the third blank describes the subjects that psychology studies, and the clauses “it focuses on the most internal of subjects, the human self” and “Psychology aims to deepen our understanding of the mind by contemplating what is most intrinsic to our mental faculties” conveys that the subjects psychology studies are highly intrinsic and unique to the individual. Hence, the most fitting answer choice for blank (iii) is H – “most personal”.

Correct combination of answer choices:

C. “contemplating”, meaning “thinking deeply about”.

F. “plumbing”, meaning “fully exploring” or “measuring the depths of”.

H. “most personal”, meaning “deeply private”.

The aforesaid combination of answer choices leads to a logical and coherent completion of the paragraph.

Incorrect answer choices:

A. This answer choice “securing”, meaning “protecting”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

B. This answer choice “liberating”, meaning “releasing”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

D. This answer choice “marginalizing”, meaning “treating something as unimportant”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

E. This answer choice “normalizing”, meaning “treating something as acceptable when it is not”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

G. This answer choice “rather clichéd”, meaning “overly common”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

I. This answer choice “pleasantly honest”, meaning “refreshingly truthful”, cannot form a logical combination of answer choices for a coherent completion of the paragraph. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

Thus, C, F, and H are the correct combination of answer choices.

Written Explanation
 
The intended core meaning of the sentence: That the story about the honesty of young George Washington is, surprisingly, completely false.

Reasoning around the blank space: The catch for filling the blank in this sentence lies in identifying the contrast in the usage “The often-repeated tale LAUDING…HONESTY of…George Washington is, IRONICALLY…”, which implies a difference between myth and reality; this contrast suggests that the sentence intends to convey that the frequently heard story praising the unwavering honesty of a young George Washington is, surprisingly, completely false. Hence, for the blank, we need a word that conveys the idea of the often-repeated tale being entirely “false”.

Broad expectation from the correct answer choice: A word conveying the idea of being “false” or “fictional”.

A. Correct. This answer choice, “apocryphal”, meaning “not true” or “of doubtful authorship”,matches our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of being “false” or “fictional”. Hence, this answer choice is correct.

B. This answer choice, “rudimentary”, meaning “being in an undeveloped stage” or “basic”, does not match our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of being “false” or “fictional”. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

C. This answer choice, “veracious”, meaning “truthful” or “accurate”, is opposite to our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of being “false” or “fictional”. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

D. This answer choice, “unoriginal”, meaning “not creative” or “derivative”, does not match our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of being “false” or “fictional”. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

E. Trap. This answer choice, “extinguished”, meaning “no longer existing”, does not match our broad expectation from the correct answer choice, which is to convey the idea of being “false” or “fictional”. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

Thus, A is the correct answer choice.