Last Updated on November 6, 2023
If you’re planning to take the GRE General Test to apply to graduate schools, you’re likely aware that the GRE includes a Verbal section. So, you may be wondering what the GRE Verbal section tests and what types of GRE Verbal questions there are. In this article, you’ll learn about the GRE Verbal section overall and the GRE Verbal question types. Plus, I’ll show some sample questions and provide some tips for mastering each type of GRE Verbal question.
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- Overview of the Verbal Section of the GRE
- Text Completion Questions
- Sentence Equivalence Questions
- Reading Comprehension Questions
- Critical Reasoning Questions
- GRE Verbal Question Types: Key Takeaways
- What’s Next?
Let’s begin with an overview of the Verbal section of the GRE.
Overview of the Verbal Section of the GRE
According to ETS, the maker of the GRE, the GRE Verbal Reasoning section “measures a test taker’s ability to understand complex ideas expressed in written passages and to recognize relationships among words and among concepts.” Put simply, the Verbal section of the GRE tests skill in understanding what you read and using logical reasoning.
How Many Questions Are on the Verbal GRE Section?
GRE Verbal is presented in two sections. The first section asks you to answer 12 questions in 18 minutes, and the second section asks you to answer 15 questions in 23 minutes. In total, you’ll face 27 Verbal questions on the GRE. Thus, GRE test-takers have an average of 1.5 minutes to answer each Verbal question.
What Are the GRE Types of Verbal Questions?
The Verbal questions that appear on the GRE are of the following four main types:
- Text Completion
- Sentence Equivalence
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Reasoning
Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence questions are often called “GRE vocabulary questions” because both of these types of GRE Verbal questions involve completing sentences by using words to fill blanks. Thus, they require strong vocabulary knowledge.
GRE Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning questions involve reading passages, and then answering questions based on the passages.
All GRE Verbal questions, whether they are Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, or one of the other types, challenge us to reason logically, pay attention to detail, and execute well.
GRE Verbal Is Section-Adaptive
Another key thing to understand about GRE Verbal is that it’s section-adaptive. In other words, the difficulty of the second of the two GRE Verbal sections depends on the test-taker’s performance on the first of the two sections. The more questions you get correct on the first section, the harder the questions on the second section will be, and the more the second section will be worth. To learn more about how section-adaptivity works, you can read this article on how GRE scores are calculated.
KEY FACT:
GRE Verbal presents 27 questions of four main types: Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence, Reading Comprehension, and Critical Reasoning.
Now that we understand the basics of GRE Verbal, let’s discuss each of the GRE Verbal types of questions. We’ll start with Text Completion questions.
Text Completion Questions
Of the 40 Verbal questions that appear on the GRE, 12 are Text Completion questions. Text Completion questions are composed of one or more sentences with a blank(s) in them and multiple answer choices. Each of the answer choices is a word or a phrase that could fill a blank in the question. To correctly answer a Text Completion question, we find the word or phrase that most logically fills each blank.
There are three main types of Text Completion questions: one-blank, two-blank and three-blank. One-blank Text Completion questions are made up of a single sentence with one blank and five answers choices. We answer these questions by selecting only one answer choice to fill the one blank. Two- and three-blank Text Completion questions are made up of one or more sentences with two or three blanks. For each of the blanks, there are three answer choices, one of which is correct.
KEY FACT:
Roughly a quarter of the 27 Verbal questions on the GRE are Text Completion questions, which we answer by finding the choice that most logically fills each blank.
To see how GRE Text Completion questions work, let’s consider an example one-blank Text Completion question.
Example One-Blank Text Completion Question
Explanation:
To answer this question, we must select the answer choice that most logically fills the blank.
Reading the sentence, we see it says that “she was known as an expert communicator … but she was __________.” By using the word “but,” the sentence presents a contrast between the fact that this person “was known as an expert communicator” and whatever fills the blank. So, the choice that correctly fills the blank must contrast with being “known as an expert communicator.”
We can see that “considerate” and “hardworking” don’t have much to do with being an expert communicator. So, those two choices are relatively easy to eliminate.
“Assertive” and “communicative” do have something to do with being an expert communicator. However, we can eliminate those two choices because both could be characteristics of an expert communicator. After all, an expert communicator would obviously be “communicative,” and an expert communicator could also be “assertive” (forceful and confident). So, neither of those choices contrasts with “known as an expert communicator.”
We are left with one choice, “taciturn.” Since “taciturn” means “not talkative,” “taciturn” contrasts with “known as an expert communicator.” So, “taciturn” is the choice that most logically fills the blank and thus is the correct answer.
Let’s now consider a two-blank Text Completion question to see how Text Completions with multiple blanks can work.
Example Two-Blank Text Completion Question
Explanation:
This two-blank Text Completion question includes a sentence with two blanks and three choices for each blank. To answer it, we need to find the two choices that most logically fill the two blanks.
In the Target Test Prep GRE Course, we provide a complete explanation for this question. However, for the sake of brevity, let’s consider just the correct answers here.
Reading the sentence, we see the contrast phrase “rather than” in “rather than engendering stability.” So, we can tell that the sentence is about events that contrast with “engendering (bringing about) stability.”
Given that information, we can tell that “backfired” (had the reverse of the desired effect) is the correct answer for the first blank. After all, what would contrast with “engendering stability” is reducing stability, which would occur if a plan to curb speculation backfired.
“Rather than” also indicates that what “this ‘solution’ led to” must also contrast with “engendering stability.”
Going through the answer choices for the second blank, we see that “imprudent” (unwise, not careful) must be correct. After all, “imprudent” behavior on the part of banks would logically lead to a reduction, rather than an increase, in stability.
Let’s read the sentence with the blanks filled:
Hiring risk officers to curb speculation during the 1980s recession backfired: rather than engendering stability, this “solution” led to even more imprudent behavior on the part of banks.
With our choices in the blanks, the sentence communicates a logical meaning.
Now that we’ve seen how Text Completion questions work, let’s discuss some tips for Text Completion mastery.
Tips for Text Completion Mastery
One thing you probably noticed about Text Completion questions is that the sentences and answer choices use fairly advanced vocabulary. So, mastering Text Completion requires studying vocabulary so that you know words that will likely appear in the questions. In fact, people preparing for GRE Verbal typically study between 300 and 1200 vocabulary words.
However, there is more to mastering Text Completion than learning vocabulary words. As you also likely noticed, to answer the example questions, we considered elements of the sentences. So, mastering Text Completion also requires learning how elements of the sentences in the questions indicate which choices are correct.
Finally, mastering Text Completion requires practicing applying the concepts and analyzing the sentences to determine which choices are correct. So, it works best to start off practicing untimed to give yourself time to learn. Then, once you’re getting the questions correct consistently, you can work on speeding up to test pace of around 1 to 1.5 minutes per question.
TTP PRO TIP:
To master Text Completion, study vocabulary, learn how sentence elements indicate which choices are correct, and practice untimed at first.
Now that we understand GRE Text Completion questions, let’s discuss the next GRE Verbal question type, Sentence Equivalence.
Sentence Equivalence Questions
Of the 27 Verbal questions that appear on the GRE, roughly a quarter are Sentence Equivalence questions. Sentence Equivalence is similar to Text Completion in that it involves choosing answers that logically fill blanks in sentences.
However, Sentence Equivalence has an added aspect. Each Sentence Equivalence question has only one sentence with one blank to fill, but there are two correct answers. The two correct answers must have the following characteristics. The first is that both correct answers must logically fill the blank. The second is that the two completed sentences must communicate essentially the same meaning.
KEY FACT:
The correct answers to a Sentence Equivalence question must logically fill the blank and serve to form two sentences with essentially the same meaning.
To better understand how Sentence Equivalence questions work, let’s consider an example question.
Example Sentence Equivalence Question
Explanation:
Reading through the sentence, we see that it presents Ricciardi’s assertion about “forgiveness.” We also see that the sentence uses the phrase “anything but” to express what forgiveness is not. In other words, “anything but __________” means, basically, “not __________.” So, what is logical is that the two correct answers to this question will express what forgiveness is not.
We also see that the sentence describes what forgiveness is: “an action that engages several brain areas, requires complex neurological processes, and demands conscious cognitive control.” So, since our answers should express what forgiveness is not, our answers should contrast with “an action that engages several brain areas, requires complex neurological processes, and demands conscious cognitive control.”
Reading the answer choices, we see that “rational” and “judicious” (sensible and well-reasoned) do not produce the contrast we need. After all, something that “demands conscious cognitive control,” which basically means, “demands rational thought,” would likely be “rational” or “judicious.” So, the sentence indicates that forgiveness likely is, rather than is not, “rational” and “judicious.”
Similarly, “an action that engages several brain areas, requires complex neurological processes, and demands conscious cognitive control” could be “overwhelming” or “intricate.” So, neither of those choices names something forgiveness logically is not.
On the other hand, “an action that engages several brain areas, requires complex neurological processes, and demands conscious cognitive control” would not be “simple” or “straightforward.” So, those two choices logically fill the blank. Also, since “simple” and “straightforward” mean basically the same thing in this context, the two sentences created with those choices have equivalent meanings.
Thus, the two correct answers to this question are “simple” and “straightforward.”
Now that we understand how Sentence Equivalence questions work, let’s discuss some tips for mastering GRE Sentence Equivalence.
Tips for Sentence Equivalence Mastery
Like Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence involves using words and phrases to fill blanks in sentences. So, studying vocabulary is a key aspect of mastering Sentence Equivalence.
Also, learning good strategies, such as the synonym pairing strategy, is helpful in mastering Sentence Equivalence. Good Sentence Equivalence strategies can save you time and help ensure that you’ll get Sentence Equivalence questions correct.
In addition, it can be very helpful to learn about the trap choices you’ll see in Sentence Equivalence questions. Sentence Equivalence trap choices can play on our cognitive biases or take advantage of common errors that test-takers make. So, becoming aware of the types of trap choices you’ll see and how to avoid choosing them can help you get more questions correct on test day.
TTP PRO TIP:
To master Sentence Equivalence, study vocabulary, learn Sentence Equivalence strategies, and learn about Sentence Equivalence trap choices.
Let’s now move on to discussing GRE Reading Comprehension questions.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Of the 27 Verbal questions that appear on the GRE, roughly half are Reading Comprehension (RC) questions. Of those 12-14 questions, about 10-12 are what we could call standard Reading Comprehension questions, and 1 or 2 are Critical Reasoning questions. We’ll discuss Critical Reasoning questions soon. At the moment, we’ll focus on standard Reading Comprehension questions.
GRE Reading Comprehension questions are structured in the following way. The GRE first presents a passage. The passages vary in length and can be composed of one to four paragraphs. Along with each passage is one or more questions about the passage, presented one at a time.
The questions associated with the passages in GRE RC come in a few different formats. Some are standard five-choice multiple-choice questions. Others have only three answer choices, and one, two, or three of those choices could be correct. Finally, some questions, called Select-the-Sentence questions, do not have answer choices. To answer these questions, the test-taker selects a sentence in the passage.
In general, GRE RC questions ask either about the passage overall or about details of what the passage says. For example, an RC question could ask about the purpose or structure of the passage or about a conclusion that can be drawn from something the passage says.
KEY FACT:
GRE Reading Comprehension questions involve a passage and questions about the passage, presented one at a time.
To see how GRE Reading Comprehension questions work, let’s consider an example.
Example Reading Comprehension Question
Explanation:
In this case, the passage is a relatively short, one-paragraph passage, and the question asks what is true according to the passage. To answer the question, we have to find what the passage says about “Jane Goodall’s observation that chimpanzees fashion simple tools.”
To find what the passage says about that topic, we can look in the passage for “chimpanzees fashion simple tools” or wording that means something similar. Scanning the passage, we see that, toward the end, it says, “During this period, she also observed chimpanzees fashioning simple tools that they used to ‘fish’ for termites.” So, the information we need for answering the question is likely in that area of the passage. Having found where the information we need is located, we can now consider the answer choices.
Choice (A) is incorrect because the passage says “Later, in 1970,” after it says, “she also observed chimpanzees fashioning simple tools.” So, the passage indicates that Jane Goodall observed chimpanzees fashioning tools before rather than in 1970.
Choice (B) is incorrect because the passage doesn’t say that this observation showed “for the first time” that chimpanzees eat termites.
Choice (C) is incorrect because the passage doesn’t say that anyone disputed Jane Goodall’s observation.
Choice (E) is incorrect because the passage doesn’t say that Jane Goodall’s peers suspected that chimpanzees fashion tools. The word “stunning” makes this answer tempting, because it is a close match for the use of “stunned” in the passage. However, the rest of the answer does not match the facts in the passage.
The correct answer is (D) because the passage says, “at the time, the common wisdom was that humans alone modify objects to create tools.” Thus, in discovering that chimpanzees fashion tools, Jane Goodall showed the common wisdom, or “widely held conception,” that only humans create tools to be false, doing just what choice (D) says.
Now that we understand how GRE Reading Comprehension questions work, let’s discuss some tips for mastering GRE RC.
Tips for Reading Comprehension Mastery
Possibly the most important thing to know about GRE Reading Comprehension is that it’s really about comprehension. In other words, while it’s true that there are keywords and reading methods that we can learn about to improve in RC, the main thing we need to do to get RC questions correct is understand what we’re reading.
Another powerful thing you can do to master GRE RC is to learn strategies for answering the different types of RC questions. By having a good strategy for answering a question, you can answer the question efficiently and increase your odds of getting it correct.
Also, it’s key to know that, like other types of GRE Verbal questions, GRE RC questions include trap choices designed to have the vibe of being correct. So, an important aspect of mastering GRE RC is learning to tell the difference between trap choices that seem correct and correct answers that are truly supported by the passage.
TTP PRO TIP:
To master GRE Reading Comprehension, focus on understanding what you’re reading, learn strategies for answering the questions, and learn to tell the difference between trap choices and correct answers.
Let’s now discuss the final type of GRE Verbal question, Critical Reasoning.
Critical Reasoning Questions
Of the 27 Verbal questions that appear on a given GRE, one or two will be Critical Reasoning (CR) questions. Also, it’s possible that two of the “standard” Reading Comprehension questions will work similarly to Critical Reasoning questions. So, on the GRE, you could see around three or four Critical Reasoning-style questions.
A GRE Critical Reasoning question begins with a short passage that is typically under 100 words in length. The passage, or “prompt,” is followed by a question stem and five answer choices. The question stem asks which of the choices is related to what the passage says in a particular way. For example, the passage could ask which of the choices adds support to what the passage says or which explains something about what the passage says.
So, to answer a Critical Reasoning question, we must find the choice that is related to the passage in the way specified by the question.
KEY FACT:
On a given GRE, there can be around three or four Critical Reasoning-style questions.
To see how GRE Critical Reasoning questions work, let’s consider an example question.
Example Critical Reasoning Question
Explanation:
Reading the passage, we see that it presents a scenario in which the board of Centerville Hospital has decided to implement a quality-improvement program to reduce the number of medical mistakes that occur at the hospital. In the scenario, consultants claim that “the hospital’s total annual costs will decrease as a result of implementing the program.”
Then, the question asks, “Which of the following, if true, provides the most support for the consultants’ claim?” So, to answer this question, we have to find the choice that supports that claim. Let’s analyze each answer choice.
Choice (A) is incorrect. The fact that the amount the hospital spends on employee compensation has been decreasing doesn’t mean that implementing the quality-control program will result in a decrease in costs.
Choice (B) is incorrect. Regardless of why the board hired the consultants, implementing the program may or may not result in a decrease in costs.
Choice (C) is incorrect. The fact that the hospital’s costs are greater than those of other hospitals doesn’t mean that costs will decrease as a result of implementing the program.
Choice (D) is incorrect. Regardless of whether Centerville Hospital employees are paid less than employees at other hospitals, the program may or may not work.
Choice (E) is correct. If what it says is true, then implementing a quality-control program to reduce the number of medical mistakes made at the hospital could result in a decrease in the hospital’s costs. After all, a reduction in the number of medical mistakes could result in a reduction in the number of patients harmed by such mistakes using legal means to obtain monetary compensation from the hospital.
Now that we understand how GRE Critical Reasoning questions work, let’s discuss some tips for mastering GRE CR.
Tips for Critical Reasoning Mastery
One key thing to understand about GRE Critical Reasoning is that the correct answers are correct for precise, logical reasons. So, when answering the questions, we should be precise. In other words, rather than go with what feels right or seems to fit, we should use careful, step-by-step, logical reasoning to choose an answer.
Also, when practicing CR, we should determine exactly why every choice in each question is incorrect or correct. In other words, to truly master CR, we shouldn’t be satisfied with just getting a practice question correct. We’ll get better results by sticking with a practice question until we can articulate what is going on with each choice.
Finally, we’ll master GRE CR most efficiently and effectively by focusing on one type of CR question at a time. There are eight different types of CR questions that can appear on the GRE, and each works in its own way. So, focusing on one type at a time, first learning how to answer questions of that type and then practicing, works best.
TTP PRO TIP:
To master GRE Critical Reasoning, use precise logic, analyze practice questions choice by choice, and focus on one type of question at a time.
Let’s now sum up what we’ve discussed about the structure of GRE Verbal Reasoning questions and how to master GRE Verbal.
GRE Verbal Question Types: Key Takeaways
We’ve seen that there are four main types of GRE Verbal questions:
- Text Completion
- Sentence Equivalence
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Reasoning
To master GRE Verbal, we should master each question type by learning how the questions work, learning effective strategies for answering them, and then practicing to develop skill in applying what we’ve learned to arrive at correct answers.
What’s Next?
Now that you’re familiar with the types of Verbal questions that appear on the GRE, you can learn more about how to prepare for the GRE from this post on how to ace GRE Verbal and this video on how to improve your GRE Quant score.
