GRE Text Completion

GRE text completion is one of the three types of questions in GRE Verbal Reasoning; the other two question types are Reading Comprehension and Sentence Equivalence. In Text Completion, you’ll be given a sentence or short passage with one to three blanks. Your task is to choose the correct words from the given options to create a meaningful passage. To make the proper choice, you must understand the main idea and logical structure of the sentence. Additionally, you need to know the definitions of the words in the answer choices.

Successfully solving the text completion also known as (the sentence completion) section of the GRE involves recognizing the relationships within the sentence, such as equivalents, analogies, parallel sets, contraries, and lexical groups. Sentence completion questions are more challenging than reading comprehension questions because the context is more limited. Solving these questions requires familiarity with antonyms and synonyms, an understanding of parallel sets, and a broad and deep vocabulary, i.e., the right meaning of the words. 
However, there is a strategy for understanding these problems. By applying this strategy to identify which type of sentence completion problem you are dealing with, you will be better equipped to select the correct choice, even if you don't know the definitions of all the words in the sentence. Let's explore sample questions and answers, as well as strategies and tips for solving GRE text completion questions in this article.

Different types of GRE Text Completion Questions

GRE text-completion questions come in three types:

• Single-blank: These questions have one blank to fill. This is the shortest and simplest type among the three variations of text completion questions. For each sentence or passage with a single blank, you must choose the correct word from five options. Expect four single-blank questions in total (2 per section).
• Double-blank: These questions will have two blanks. You will select the right words from three given options for each blank. You cannot randomly guess the answer because you will have only a one in nine chance of being correct. Thus be cautious while choosing the answer. You can expect around four to five double-blank questions (2-3 per section).
• Triple-blank: These passages contain three blanks. These questions are significantly complex when compared to other types. You will pick the correct words from three options for each blank, with roughly three to four triple-blank questions expected (1-2 per section).

It is important to note that for double-blank and triple-blank questions, you must choose the correct word for each blank to receive credit. Partial credit is not awarded. Additionally, a double or triple-blank question counts as a single question, despite having multiple blanks. Students can expect around 12 text-completion questions in total on the GRE Verbal section, with approximately 6 in each sub-section.

GRE Text Completion Sample Practice Question and Answers

This section includes GRE text completion sample questions and answers for practice, categorized by each type.
One - Blank Texts (also called Single-Blank Text Completion) samples are given below.

Sample Question #1 - Context Clues in One-Blank Texts

1. Despite the mayor's efforts to balance the budget, the city's financial situation has become increasingly ______.

1. Prosperous
2. Dire
3. Manageable
4. Routine
5. stable

Answer: B) dire
Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, consider the context of the sentence. The phrase "despite the mayor's efforts to balance the budget" suggests that the mayor has been trying to improve the city's financial situation. However, the word "despite" indicates that these efforts have not been successful, implying that the situation has worsened.

Prosperous means successful or flourishing financially, which contradicts the negative implication.

Dire means extremely serious or urgent, which fits well with the idea of the situation worsening.

Manageable means able to be handled or controlled, which would imply some level of success in the mayor's efforts.

Routine means regular or ordinary, which does not match the context of a worsening situation.

Stable means not changing or fluctuating, which again implies a neutral or positive outcome rather than a worsening one.

Therefore, the correct answer is dire (B), as it accurately reflects a worsening financial situation despite efforts to improve it.

Sample Question #2 - Parts of Speech in One-Blank Texts

2. The CEO's announcement was intended to ______ confidence in the company's future.

A) destroy
 B) bolster
 C) undermine
 D) question
 E) diminish

Answer: B) bolster

Explanation:

First, identify the part of speech required for the blank. In this sentence, the blank is preceded by "to," which means the blank should be filled with a verb in its base form (infinitive).

Next, consider the context of the sentence. The CEO's announcement is intended to have a positive impact on the company's future, suggesting the need for a word that means to increase or support confidence.

Destroy means to ruin or put an end to, which is negative.

Bolster means to support or strengthen, which fits the context of increasing confidence.

Undermine means to weaken or damage, which is negative.

Question means to doubt or challenge, which does not fit the context of increasing confidence.

Diminish means to make something smaller or less important, which is negative.

Thus, the correct answer is bolster (B), as it appropriately means to support or strengthen confidence in the company's future.
Next comes the second type of text completion question called Double/Two-Blank Texts (Multi-Blank Text Completion).

Sample Question #3 - Context Clues in Two-Blank Texts

3. Although the scientist's findings were initially met with ______, over time they have gained widespread ______ among her peers.

A) skepticism ... acceptance
 B) indifference ... scrutiny
 C) enthusiasm ... recognition
 D) approval ... criticism
 E) curiosity ... indifference

Answer: A) skepticism ... acceptance

Explanation:

To determine the correct answers, we need to use context clues from the sentence.

The phrase "although the scientist's findings were initially met with" suggests that the initial reaction was different from the later reaction. This contrast is key to finding the right pair of words.

The second part of the sentence, "over time they have gained widespread ______ among her peers," indicates a positive change in how the findings are perceived.

Let's analyze the options:

Skepticism ... acceptance: This pair fits well. "Skepticism" indicates doubt or disbelief, which contrasts with "acceptance," a positive outcome, matching the context of initial doubt followed by later acceptance.

Indifference ... scrutiny: "Indifference" (lack of interest) followed by "scrutiny" (close examination) doesn't fit the context of a positive change.

Enthusiasm ... recognition: "Enthusiasm" (initial positive reaction) followed by "recognition" (later positive reaction) doesn't show the necessary contrast implied by "although."

Approval ... criticism: "Approval" (initial positive reaction) followed by "criticism" (negative reaction) suggests a negative change, which contradicts the context of a positive change over time.

Curiosity ... indifference: "Curiosity" (initial interest) followed by "indifference" (lack of interest) suggests a loss of interest, which doesn't fit the context of gaining widespread acceptance.

Thus, the correct answer is skepticism ... acceptance (A), as it accurately reflects the initial doubt followed by later positive acceptance.

Sample Question #4 - Parts of Speech in Two-Blank Texts

4. The manager's plan was both ______ and ______, aiming to innovate while maintaining practicality.

A) imaginative ... pragmatic
 B) idealistic ... feasible
 C) unorthodox ... traditional
 D) risky ... conservative
 E) complex ... simplistic

Answer: A) imaginative ... pragmatic

Explanation:

First, identify the parts of speech required for each blank. Both blanks in this sentence must be adjectives because they are describing the plan. Adjectives describe nouns, and here they describe the noun "plan."

Next, consider the context of the sentence. The manager's plan aims to innovate while maintaining practicality. This means the first blank should describe something related to innovation or creativity, and the second blank should describe practicality or realism.

Imaginative ... pragmatic: "Imaginative" means creative or innovative, and "pragmatic" means practical or realistic. This pair fits the context well.

Idealistic ... feasible: "Idealistic" means aiming for perfection, which could fit innovation, and "feasible" means practical or possible. This pair is a good fit but slightly less precise than the first option.

Unorthodox ... traditional: "Unorthodox" means unconventional, and "traditional" means conventional. This pair suggests a contradiction rather than a balanced plan.

Risky ... conservative: "Risky" implies danger or uncertainty, and "conservative" implies caution. This pair also suggests a contradiction rather than balance.

Complex ... simplistic: "Complex" means complicated, and "simplistic" means overly simple. This pair suggests a contradiction as well.

Thus, the correct answer is imaginative ... pragmatic (A), as it accurately reflects a plan that is both innovative and practical.

The final type of GRE text completion question is the “Triple/Three-Blank Texts (Multi-Blank Text Completion).”

Sample Question #5 - Context Clues in Three-Blank Texts

5. The professor's lecture was so ______ that even the most ______ students were able to grasp the ______ concepts with relative ease.

A) detailed ... attentive ... simple
 B) clear ... inattentive ... complex
 C) confusing ... diligent ... basic
 D) engaging ... uninterested ... convoluted
 E) monotonous ... eager ... straightforward

Answer: B) clear ... inattentive ... complex

Explanation:

To determine the correct answers, we need to use context clues from the sentence.

1. The phrase "even the most ______ students were able to grasp" suggests that the students typically have difficulty understanding but could do so in this case. This implies that the lecture was effective.
2. The phrase "the ______ concepts with relative ease" indicates that the concepts were difficult, but the students found them easier to understand due to the nature of the lecture.

Let's analyze the options:

Detailed ... attentive ... simple: This suggests that detailed lectures help attentive students understand simple concepts. This doesn't fit because it doesn't address the contrast implied by "even the most."

Clear ... inattentive ... complex: "Clear" indicates the lecture was easy to understand. "Inattentive" suggests that even students who usually don't pay attention could understand. "Complex" fits the idea of difficult concepts made understandable.

Confusing ... diligent ... basic: This suggests that confusing lectures help diligent students understand basic concepts, which doesn't fit the positive outcome implied.

Engaging ... uninterested ... convoluted: "Engaging" lectures help uninterested students understand convoluted concepts, which fits better than the other options, but not as precisely as the correct option.
Monotonous ... eager ... straightforward: This suggests that monotonous lectures help eager students understand straightforward concepts, which contradicts the context of a positive outcome for usually inattentive students.

Thus, the correct answer is clear ... inattentive ... complex (B), as it accurately reflects a lecture that is easy to understand, making it possible for even inattentive students to grasp complex concepts.

Sample Question #6 - Parts of Speech in Three-Blank Texts

6. Although it is widely assumed that gifted students are naturally (i) _______, many gifted students struggle with academic tasks and require (ii) _______ instruction to reach their potential. This (iii) _______ often leads to misunderstanding and inadequate support from educators and peers.

Blank (i): A. diligent B. bright C. organized

Blank (ii): D. specialized E. remedial F. basic

Blank (iii): G. misconception H. truth I. revelation

Correct Answers:

(i) B. bright (ii) D. specialized (iii) G. misconception

Explanation of Parts of Speech:

Blank (i):

• Choices:
  
  • A. diligent (adjective)
  • B. bright (adjective)
  • C. organized (adjective)
• Explanation: All three choices are adjectives, which are appropriate because they describe the noun "students." The context of the sentence suggests that "gifted students" are often assumed to be naturally intelligent. The best fit here is "bright."

Blank (ii):

• Choices:
  
  • D. specialized (adjective)
  • E. remedial (adjective)
  • F. basic (adjective)
• Explanation: These choices are adjectives, which describe the type of instruction needed. Since the sentence mentions that gifted students often need particular types of help to reach their potential, "specialized" instruction is the most fitting choice.

Blank (iii):

• Choices:
  
  • G. misconception (noun)
  • H. truth (noun)
  • I. revelation (noun)
• Explanation: These choices are nouns, which fit because they are the subject of the phrase "This _______ often leads to misunderstanding." The context of the sentence implies that the assumption about gifted students leads to misunderstandings, indicating that "misconception" is the best choice.

GRE Text Completion Tips & Strategies

To clear the GRE text completion section and achieve a high score, in addition to a strong vocabulary, the following tips and strategies can be very helpful.

• Read the sentence carefully to determine its main idea. If there are multiple sentences, understand how they relate to each other.
• Identify keywords such as "like," "therefore," "although," "similarly," etc., to understand the relationship between sentences.
• Break the sentence to understand it better.
• Come up with a word that would fit well in the blank before looking at the answer options.
• Find an answer choice from the below that closely matches your guessed words.
• Make sure to look into all the answer choices before filling in the blank.
• Read the sentence again, this time with your chosen answer substituted in.
• The sentences on the test can fall into one of four types. The first is the contrary. Contrast sentences express differing or opposing ideas. Look for keywords that signal contrast, such as: although, but, however, whereas, rather, in contrast, yet, on the other hand, despite, surprisingly, etc.
• The next is similarity sentences. These sentences compare related ideas. To fill in the blank, choose a word that makes the two ideas in the sentence have similar meanings. Look for words such as similarly, likewise, as, such as, as an example, resembles, like, also, just as, furthermore, for instance, specifically, in the same way.
• The third type is analogies. It involves comparing how one situation relates to another. Keywords to identify such type of question include as a result, due to, therefore, thus, causes, leading to, consequently, resulting from, because, etc
• The last type of question has sentences where ideas will convey the same general meaning but will be expressed in a slightly different or more detailed manner. The keywords that include this type of question are in fact, and, namely, in other words, likewise, that is, to be sure, etc.

FAQ

1. What is text completion in GRE?

A standard GRE text completion question presents a sentence or short passage with one, two, or three missing words. Your goal is to select the correct words from the given options to complete the passage in a meaningful way.

2. How many text completion questions are in the new GRE?

You can expect around 12 text completion questions in total, with approximately 6 text completion questions in each subsection of the GRE Verbal.

3. How to answer text completion questions?

To answer the text completion question, firstly read the entire passage. Ask yourself, "How can I make sense of this passage?" Then, find the answer choice(s) that align with the understanding you have reached while reading the passage.

4. How to get better at GRE text completion?

To answer the GRE text completion question well, follow the below points.

• Understand the question
• Guess the missing word
• Look at all the options
• Look for any clue in the sentence
• Use the concept called elimination by eliminating the choices to find the right word
• Take practice tests with genuine GRE test materials
• Review your answers.

5.  Does the GRE have partial marking?

Every question in the Verbal or Quantitative section equally impacts your final GRE score. Since there's no penalty for incorrect or unanswered questions, it's advisable to answer every question. For questions with multiple correct answers, you must select all the correct choices to receive credit; no partial credit is awarded.