Gre verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning With Explanations

particular text to other texts and information. 
Each Reading Comprehension question is based on a passage that may range in length from one 
paragraph to several paragraphs. The test contains approximately 10 passages, the majority of 
which are one paragraph in length and only one or two of which are several paragraphs long. 
Passages are drawn from the physical sciences, biological sciences, social sciences, business, arts 
and humanities and everyday topics and are based on material found in books and periodicals, 
both academic and nonacademic. 
Typically, about half of the questions on the test will be based on passages, and the number of 
questions based on a given passage can range from one to six. Questions can cover any of the 
topics listed above, from the meaning of a particular word to assessing evidence that might 
support or weaken points made in the passage. Many, but not all, of the questions are standard 
multiple-choice questions, in which you are required to select a single correct answer; others ask 
you to select multiple correct answers; and still others ask you to select a sentence from 
the passage. 
General Advice for Answering Reading Comprehension Questions 
•
Reading passages are drawn from many different disciplines and sources, so you may
encounter material with which you are not familiar. Do not be discouraged if you encounter
unfamiliar material; all the questions can be answered on the basis of the information
provided in the passage. However, if you encounter a passage that seems particularly hard
or unfamiliar, you may want to save it for last.
•
Read and analyze the passage carefully before trying to answer any of the questions and
pay attention to clues that help you understand less explicit aspects of the passage.
o
Try to distinguish main ideas from supporting ideas or evidence.
o
Try to distinguish ideas that the author is advancing from those he or she is
merely reporting.
o
Try to distinguish ideas that the author is strongly committed to from those he or
she advances as hypothetical or speculative.
o
Try to identify the main transitions from one idea to the next.
o
Try to identify the relationship between different ideas. For example:
▪
Are they contrasting? Are they consistent?
▪
Does one support the other?
▪
Does one spell the other out in greater detail?
▪
Does one apply the other to a particular circumstance?
•
Read each question carefully and be certain that you understand exactly what is
being asked.
•
Answer each question on the basis of the information provided in the passage and do not
rely on outside knowledge. Sometimes your own views or opinions may conflict with those
presented in a passage; if this happens, take special care to work within the context
provided by the passage. You should not expect to agree with everything you encounter in
the reading passages.
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