GRE reading comprehension tests a candidates ability to understand a passage and answer the questions. Candidates are given 5-7 GRE passages in GRE reading comprehension. GRE RC passages are excerpts from topics around social sciences, humanities, business, and natural sciences. GRE rc questions comprises approximately 50% of the verbal reasoning questions in GRE exam pattern. GRE comprehension reading passages vary in length from 100 to 450 words and each questions are to be answered within 1 minute.

Question Types in GRE Reading Comprehension

GRE reading comprehension questions are based on below mentioned format:

Multiple Choice Questions (Choose 1 Answer)

In this question type, candidates are to select one option as a response to the answer.
For example:
Select only one answer choice.
The passage addresses which of the following issues related to Glass's use of popular elements in his classical compositions?

1. How it is regarded by listeners who prefer rock to the classics
2. How it has affected the commercial success of Glass's music
3. Whether it has contributed to a revival of interest among other composers in using popular elements in their compositions
4. Whether it has had a detrimental effect on Glass's reputation as a composer of classical music
5. Whether it has caused certain of Glass's works to be derivative in quality

Multiple Choice Questions (Choose 1 or Multiple Answer)

Candidates can choose single or multiple options as their answers.
For example:
Consider each of the three choices separately and select all that apply.

1. The passage suggests that Glass's work displays which of the following qualities?
2. A return to the use of popular music in classical compositions
3. An attempt to elevate rock music to an artistic status more closely approximating that of classical music
4. A long-standing tendency to incorporate elements from two apparently disparate musical styles

Select-in-Passage

Candidates are required to select the appropriate sentence from reference to the passage.
Select the sentence that distinguishes two ways of integrating rock and classical music.
Explanation
The passage describes in general terms how Philip Glass uses popular music in his classical compositions and explores how Glass can do this without being imitative. Note that there are no opposing views discussed; the author is simply presenting his or her views.

Concepts of GRE RC Questions

The above mentioned question types are based upon certain ideas as portrayed in the GRE passages. These ideas have been portrayed below:

1. Main-idea questions: Most common question type where the candidates are required to find the main purpose or primary idea of the passage;
2. Author’s tone question: Quite a tricky question type, here candidates need to recognize the tone of the author;
3. Specific fact question: Candidates are required to pinpoint the particular information required;
4. Implied question: Here one has to detect the implied/suggested idea;
5. Structural question: this question type asks to identify the structure or writing style;
6. Extrapolation questions: The most complex of all, this requires the candidate to extrapolate or compare the author’s statements with other situations;
7. Negative/Exception question: Requires the candidate to identify the negative or false answer from the choices;
8. Contextual questions: This requires the candidate to guess the meaning of an unknown word by reading the passage.

Skills Assessed in GRE Reading Comprehension

GRE reading comprehension is designed to assess candidates on a wide range of abilities and scores are credited accordingly. GRE reading materials prepare candidates to read and understand forms of prose that occur in graduate school. The assessment areas GRE rc passages includes:

• Understanding the significance of words and sentences;
• Understanding the significance of long passages and texts;
• Ability to differentiate between major and minor texts;
• Summarising a passage
• Concluding the major points from the passage;
• Interpreting incomplete sentences and inferring missing facts;
• Understanding the interconnections of the texts;
• Understanding the author’s assumptions
• Evaluating and concluding a text;
• Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of a passage;
• Evolving alternative responses