GRE Text Completion Tips

You need to fill the given blank in the passage in order to make it meaningful. In case you don’t know, there is no partial credit. You will have to get the entire passage right to get credit. Here are a few GRE text completion strategies that aspirants swear by while GRE text completion practice.

Check out this Text Completion question:

While Knapp’s research (i) __________ the fact that traditional houses are (ii) __________ under assault from the market economy, rapid urbanization, and declining craft skills, it fails to address the scope of (iii) __________ tradition within modernity―the fusion of which is the right way to progress―thus portraying a picture of a losing battle.

1. First Investigate the Clue

Before jumping for the solution, try to find out the clue in the GRE text question or in the statement that is provided.

In the sample question below, check , GRE fill in the blanks to get an idea:

“…the fact that traditional houses are (ii) __________ under assault from the market…”

From the phrase “under assault”, we infer that the answers will be “negative words”. Such words express disagreement or rejection.

Also, look at the following:

“…the scope of (iii) __________ tradition within modernity―the fusion …“

The word “fusion” instructs us to scout for words hinting at “joining” or “coming together”

These are clues we have to investigate and find out. To obtain clues, look for phrases or words that give the tone of the message. Once you understand where the question is pointing, you are one step closer to the answer.

Great, we now have “The Clue”—look for negative words.

2. Break the text up into pieces

The length of text completion questions – especially questions that consist of an entire paragraph – can be difficult to understand all together .Before you consider any of the answer choices, break the text up into smaller portions and try to recognise the answer.

Check the sample question below:

While Knapp’s research (i) __________ the fact that traditional houses are (ii) __________ under assault from the market economy, rapid urbanization, and declining craft skills, it fails to address the scope of (iii) __________ tradition within modernity―the fusion of which is the right way to progress―thus portraying a picture of a losing battle.

Let’s break our question into two parts:

Consider the first two blanks:

“While Knapp’s research (i) __________ the fact that traditional houses are (ii) __________ under assault from the market economy, rapid urbanization, and declining craft skills,”

Here, the question is talking about a researcher called Knapp. His finding has come under fire due to his opinions about the plight of traditional houses. So our clue is confirmed—we have to look for “negative words”

Now concentrate on the latter part:

“…it fails to address the scope of (iii) __________ tradition within modernity―the fusion of which is the right way to progress―thus portraying a picture of a losing battle…”

Here, we understand that Knapp has failed to look at traditionality and modernity together. This cements our second clue. So by breaking the sentence into two parts we can comprehend what the question is really about and confirm what type of words we need to find.

3. Insert your own words

While reading the passage, the candidate will get an idea of what kind of words can be put in those empty blanks. It is first advised to figure out the words then look for the answer choices. Once you get hold of the kinds of words to be put, the synonymous words will work, and thereby you can eliminate the unnecessary ones.

4. Reading Post Completion

During your GRE text completion practice questions, ensure that you read the sentence after putting the answer choices to see if it is meaningful. This whole process of figuring out the accurate answer can make the candidate forget that making the whole passage meaningful is the original task.