Sense and Sentence Completion: Crack GRE Verbal with a Bang!
Well begun is half done! Sentence Completion is generally the first segment in the Verbal Reasoning section of GRE. Cracking this section successfully makes you carry the positive tempo through out the exam. That’s the reason, make a great start and carry that motivation until the last segment.
I usually visualize Sentence Completion as a Mini Reading Comprehension exercise. The reason is: we almost apply all the rules pertaining to Reading Comprehension segment, here in the Sentence Completion segment too.
A typical Sentence Completion question is of four or five lines having a single blank or double blanks. The number of questions asked ranges between seven and nine. We have answered these ‘fill-in-the-blanks’ type of questions as middle-school, high-school going students. But the GRE Sentence Completion questions are asked from a different perspective and certainly at a higher level.
Like all the other segments of GRE, the Sentence Completion segment also questions and evaluates the ‘reasoning ability’ of the student. In order to chisel our reasoning ability, we ought to identify certain aspects while reading.
Important points to remember while answering the Sentence Completion questions
Visualize Sentences
1. Read the incomplete sentence completely, once or twice to understand the meaning better
2. Identify the tone of the sentence. The tone of the sentence could be neutral, acerbic, ironic, descriptive or critical
3. Your answer choices are in harmony with the tone of the sentence. For example a critical tone will never take neutral options as answers. (There goes your Clue no 1!)
4. When a sentence has conjunctions like ‘and’ your answer choices are usually synonymous.( Clue no 2)
5. When a sentence has words like but, however, yet, in spite of, nevertheless, the answer choices are usually antonymous. These words also indicate a change of thought, a twist of thought rather ( Clue no 3)
6. Do not jump to hazardous conclusions while answering
7. See that both the options fit into the sentence mellifluously. Sometimes only one option fits into and students hastily select that, without realizing that it was a trap laid by the ETS. Beware!!
8. Please do not be in a haste to complete the segment and jump to the next!
ETS Says:
{**Sentence completion questions provide a context within which to analyze how words relate to and combine with one another to form a meaningful unit of discourse.
Here are some approaches that may be helpful in answering sentence completion questions:
- Read the entire incomplete sentence carefully before you consider the answer choices. Be sure that you understand the ideas expressed and examine the sentence for possible indications of tone (irony, humor, and the like).
- Before reading the answer choices, you may find it helpful to fill in the blanks with a word or words of your own that complete the meaning of the sentence. Then examine the answer choices to see if one of them parallels your own completion of the sentence.
- Pay attention to structural clues in the sentence. For example, words like although and nevertheless indicate that some qualification or opposition is taking place in the sentence, whereas moreover implies an intensification or support of some idea.
- If a sentence has two blanks, be sure that both parts of your answer choice fit logically and stylistically into the sentence.
- When you have chosen an answer, read the complete sentence through to check that it has acquired a logically and stylistically satisfying meaning.**}
Sample GRE Question and techniques to answer it correctly:
This is how the Sentence Completion segment of GRE appears on the computer screen.
Directions: Each question in this section consists of a sentence with one or two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five lettered words or sets of words. Choose the word or set of words for each blank that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole. (There are 9 questions in this section.)
1. Winsor McCay, the cartoonist, could draw with incredible _______: his comic strip about Little Nemo was characterized by marvelous draftsmanship and sequencing
- Sincerity
- Efficiency
- Virtuosity
- Rapidity
- Energy
Dear Students, now read this question at least twice to understand its essence. Only then will you be able to choose the answer from the given options correctly. Did you identify the signal words? They all are very positive words. They are high-energy words rather.
Incredible, marvelous, draftsmanship and all. It surely makes us understand that we are talking about a gifted artist. Hence it is obvious that Winsor McCay was an extremely talented artist. Our only job now is to find a synonym for ‘extremely talented’. Ahem, the answer choice becomes obvious. But we are not going to conclude hastily without considering all the options.
Option A: Sincerity, are we talking about personality traits of the artist or his artistic genius? Obviously the latter one, aren’t we? So option A doesn’t fit into the context
Option B: Efficiency, well don’t you think efficiency is a low energy word in comparison with incredible, marvelous etc? (Consider Clue no1) I am afraid that cannot be the answer too
Option C: Virtuosity. Virtuosity is genius, talent, skill. Sounds very genuine! But again let’s not zero in on this option. We have two more left
Option D: Rapidity. Well, well, well we are not at all talking about how fast (meaning of rapidity) McCay completes his work (Chuckles). That’s not the answer too
Option E: Energy: We are not bothered how energetic Mc Cay was. The essence of the sentence is in his expertise not energy levels.
Hence Option C: Virtuosity is the right answer
Commonsense plays a vital role in cracking the Sentence Completion segment successfully. As Shakespeare said ‘Cudgel thy brains’, (search for the meaning of ‘cudgel’ in dictionary! Do some work) until you do it you will be very passively waiting for ready-made answers.
Very shortly we are displaying Sentence Completion tests on the site. Take these tests and see how you fare in them. We are available round the clock to help you with your queries.
Wishing you success!!
Anu Veluri
Manager- learnwordlist.com
{** The following text is an extract from ets.org}
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Thank you for this site. I find it useful to construct sentences when I learn a new word. I write these in a notebook and keep rereading. Thank you for this site. It makes it easier to study for the GRE.
Noelle
That’s an excellent technique Noelle, keep sharing these kind of things here..they will help the other aspirants too..:-)..btw I want you to survey all the features on the site..there are many more blogs other than these and innumerable word lists. There are also many tests designed exclusively for students like you aspiring for a high GRE score..take them all..
Regards,
thank u very much.this site is really useful.
hai i have got a perfect site to learn greek..thank you for that,,,,
would you please tell me what are we going to do together? please explain the course if there is any!
many thanks
As first beginner to use this web site to prepare to GRE, thanks very much. i am so glad to have this opportiunity to ugrade my Knowledge how to develope and constuct sentences. i hope i will build up my skil on this part.
With best regards
Yosief
A very good work is what u Guys are doin here, finding it really helpful
I believe that u guys are making a huge impact in d lives of prospective GRE takers. keep it up!
what a technical clues i’ve found today!i am very happy in learning them.my appreciations to you(Manager)and the team.God bless you all.thanks.
thank you very much for such a woderfull GRE preparatory course
i have learnt alot and inform my other friends about this course they are also enroll in this course.
the question that comes in my mind is regarding methematics that we are learning alot about english but most of the student dislike mathematics and they are poor in math portion of GRE. what should we do for it. kindly do something for us.
thanks alot once again for sharing your kind information with us.
excellent! inspiring and eye opener!kudos to you.thanks very much.you make look simpler in preparing for GRE.luv u.
Hey Deepa, thanks so much..u can start taking tests and realize all your dreams..wishing you success!!
Dear Somaye, it’s a site helping you take GRE, you can read all the word lists, blogs and take the tests which will familiarize you with the actual exam..
Yes Yoseif, but when are you taking GRE?
Thanks Alli, the blog segment has almost all the Verbal Sections of GRE covered. You can also learn from some articles, useful techniques for memorizing High Frequency GRE words..
Thanks Ifeoma, kindly read all the blogs..and do tell us something about you..when are you planning to take GRE and your career aspirations..we will be glad to know you better..
Yes Juka, there’s a knack to crack all the GRE sections successfully, once you know them you will be highly successful..
Hey Moon, it’s wonderful to know that u and ur friends benefit from the site..we are shortly coming up with the math segment too..just stay tuned to the site..
Yes there exists simpler solutions even to the most complicated problems..I wish you survey our blog/site thoroughly, there are many more articles and many more useful techniques quoted there..all useful to your GRE preparation..stay tuned..
thank you for these usefull information
in the exemple i selected “efficiency” i didn’t put much attention how the words were energic about the cartoonist
i must be more aware! cause in the test no one will help you!
Yes Taha, understanding the tone and the punch of the language used is very important for answering Sentence Completion questions.
thank you for these useful information I am so Happy That I am Here
Thanks For Your wonderful Article
hey thanks……..i chose “rapidity” bt now got the points clear…anyways its gud for long term purpose..as d mistakes r seldom forgotten n its better to make dem now than in the test ..
thanks
thanks a million
Thanks too..I wish you read all the articles..
hmm you are right Parul..
Hi Sina, where have you been all these days? Busy preparing fro GRE..stay tuned..:-)
What an explanation!!!Thought provoking and taking into consideration all the options.Nice job.Kudos….
Keep up the good work.
Have we any word more powerful than superb(virtuoso)…….because that’s what you are Anu……really hats off!
I have already picked the slot for my GRE test…….it’s on dec-21
But I’m facing problems in analogy questions…….the nouns they use in those questions are very difficult for me…..please help me out of this predicament
thanks for that revealing tutelage. i look forward to receiving such helpful lesson tips from you.
first of all I should be thankfull to u.
i have problem with reading comprehensions items, my reading speed is low . what should i do?
I thank you for the useful information
if possible please help me
give me some tips to memorize the words
Hi Baltej, you have really honored me..:)..thanks a lot..pls do not consider the Analogy Segment a predicament..I am sureyou will get through it effortlessly..pls follow these links..
http://learnwordlist.com/blog/gre-analogy-questions/2009/09/gre-word-list-test-blog-barrons-vocabulary
http://learnwordlist.com/blog/gre-analogy-segment-strategies-and-techniques/2009/10/gre-word-list-test-blog-barrons-vocabulary
Hi Ave, follow this link and your problem will be solved..
http://learnwordlist.com/blog/gre-reading-comprehension/2009/08/gre-word-list-test-blog-barrons-vocabulary..
Hey Sabari, I guess you haven’t surveyed the Blog segment thoroughly..there are many blogs that help you in vocabulary enhancement..do read them all..I mean all the blogs..:)
Follow this link:
http://learnwordlist.com/blog/
Since i have started learning on GRE i think my english is Ok and now i can pride myself to be good at english and thanks all the team that are always close to us and help us to succed.
god bless you
Thanks Konan, pls do survey all the aspects of the site..
Regards,
Thank you for the guidance.
Thank you for the tips. Itreally helps us to improve our langauge.
Hi Alpana, have you gone through the blogs? All of them?? You will find them all very useful in GRE preparation..
Hey Alpana, run through them all..pls do follow this link..
http://www.learnwordlist.com/blog
It’s a wonderful program meticulously processed and tailored to asist prospective gre candidates
The example is too simple!Wish you could give some challenging one.
how can i be able to remember meaning of the words that are hard to even pronounce and havenot heard at all
Hi Emtias..when are u appearing for GRE? Would love to know more about your educational aspirations. Please do participate in our forum discussions..
Hi..the illustrations have to be simple to make ‘all’ students undertand the logic behind a question. However we are coming up with many Sentence Completion tests on the website..I look forward to ur participation..
Hi words are like strangers until u know them..once you know they become your relatives..please run through all the blogs in our blog segment.u will learn some real good techniques on Vocabulary enhancement..
http://www.learnwordlist.com/blog
Follow the above mentioned link..read ‘all’ the articles..
HI Anu,
I would like to know what can be done to learn Foreign terms and to have command over Analogy Section..Please Help…:-)
Hi Akshay, I did not get ur point..why do u want to have command over foreign phrases in order to crack the Analogy section..because the words are English and just English..
Hi i have completed graduation in political science.I would like to pursue my higher education in us.But I got second class.If i get good score in GRE,will i get fund? please help me how can i get fund…..
I am glad to be part of this educative programme, because i have learnt a lot. I sincerely thank the operators of this progamme.
Hey Eric..do share with your your career ambitions..are u preparing for GRE?
Hi, thanks a lot ! This is just the stuff I need to pass my GRE
Hey John..when are you taking GRE? Did you take the tests available on the site and read all the articles on the blog segment???
Thanks, First time I am using website for GRE preparation. Avery good work you guys are doing. I hope i will be able to upgrade my knowledge.
Thanks Qamar..take all the tests available on the website..read the blogs too..
http://www.learnwordlist.com/blog..that‘s the link!!
Great idea, but will this work over the long run?
Long run?? Did not get this what did u mean by that?
thnks this is really very helpful and great tacts for sentence completion it really helped me a lot.will this will go on further?
Hey Smita, in fact there are many blogs on GRE..yes this will continue..hey stop by forum too and post some interesting topics..it is for students like you..
follow this link for all GRE related blogs…
http://www.learnwordlist.com/blog
hey great way to reach to answer by analysing the hidden clues in question itself.. nobody makes u learn dis way..
can u plz send sme more questions wid similar type of explations.. its really going to be helpful to me.
Hi Riddhi, there are many such articles in the blog segment..do read them all..and there are many interesting topics posted by good students on the forum..u can register there and be immensely benefited..
hi teacher
i have got the way to answer the question .if i need to take park in GRE exam , how do i do?
Thanks a lot!It was of great help.For the first time I have learnt to complete the sentences with the help of clues with such clarity.
Can you please send me many such sentences so that I can practice?
Hi Soumi, thanks too..in fact there are many GRE related blogs on the site..did u read them all??..Yes Soumi we are going to upload many sentence completion tests shortly..pls stay tuned..and pls do join the forum and participate in meaningful discussions on GRE..hope to c u there…
this site is incredible… you guys are doing a wonderful job
Thanks Raphael..pls do run through all the other blogs too..and we look forward to your participation on Forum..:-)
Thanks for this dose.
Thanks Anuveluri i am looking forward to the sentence completeion test.Plsa can you also help us to include reading comprehension test.
Hi Joseph, thanks too..in fact there are many other blogs that deal with the GRE segments exclusively..do read them all..
Hi Joseph u will be happy to know that we are coming up with hundreds of new tests just for students like you..pls stay tuned to the site..
It would be great full to me before the GRE . not ONLY GRE always it will help me.
You are right Sisira..these articles have been written from that perspective only..:-)
Wishing u success!!
its really brilliant and precious piece of knowledge. thanks for making us aware of such knowledge
Abdul read all the other blogs too..and yes be there in the forum..:-)
i did not come across like this kind of simple tests what have sent to every learners. i got little ideas about sentence filling. and also tried for ur question for practice it. very interesting to learn a new word.myself very much zest to learn it.i hope every learner will get benifit from it like me.my wishes to u to keep it up.thank u once again
Wonderful preview,it is worth absorbing
hii IFEANYI KEVIN OGBEH
Thanks
shipra
hii sivakumar
Thanks
shipra
hii sivakumar
ThANKS
positive thinking are life enhancing. positive thinking it you make you more stronge and more comfidant. positive thinking is not just a motivitional idea it has measureble construction epect in your pesonality and level of your health and energy they move positive and optimestic you are they will be happear at every area of your life.
winsor mcCay. the cartoonist could draw with incredible vituosity his comic strip about litle Nemo was characterized by mavelous draft smanship and sequencing
Every time i see an update from http://www.learnwordlist.com coming to my email in box, i know i am going to learn something new. With your help, i have been able to come up with a very detailed word list. I know your good work will bolster my performance. Thank you so much
Mariita Richard
Thanks!! Wishing you all the best.
My answer also wrong. Thanks a lot for your valuable instructions.
Thanks Savithri!!
u are very good
hi snazi,thanks!!!
Hey!
Was a good read!
Thanks neha,keep visiting us..
hi, thats very nice…
I really liked the clues u explained for sentence completion. looking forward to the tests.
thanku..:)
Thanks Bhakti do write us after finishing test.
it is great tips n tricks thanx
hi….I think we are very so lucky to have this site. The sentence completion exercise is very useful and also I learned a new word.
Thanks Saranya, kindly keep visiting us..
Bt there is no full set of questions regarding sentence completion
Thanks for your comment ritika, we have so many test related to sentence completion kindly visit following link : http://learnwordlist.com/tests/gre-verbal-sentence-completion-tests
thank you very much, this sity really usueful
thank you very much for a woderfull GRE course
that is useful information i am so happy about it
that is woderful i hope i will be able to up grand my knowledge
Thanks zaki, kindly keep visiting us..
Thanks very much for updates, i actually chose the correct answer before looking at the details of the answers. keep sending more please
Thanks Munduru, kindly stay tuned for more…
thanks sincerely iam learning alot.
Thanks for your comment afandi, kindly keep visiting us..
excellent with professional advancement ,
it makes us fruits of our close study of the major changes in the GRE
Thanks for your comment Chetan, kindly keep visiting us.
thanks a lot! the questions are really helpful. Wanted to find out which book to buy for the revised GRE exam starting in August. Do you have any material to help practice maths as well will love to subscribe to that if i could get the details. thanks again.
Thanks for your comment Naa, we don’t cover maths section for GRE.
Hey this is very helpful, thank you, very well made and maintained site, its quite help full.
I have my GRE in September mid( Revised GRE). Would love it if i could a few insights and tactics for the new GRE.
Thanks a lot.
Aashray, kindly keep visiting for blog section for same..
Thanks a lot for your valuable GRE instructions. I am quite grateful.