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GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATIONS®

Official G R E Verbal ReasoningPractice Questions, Volume 1

Chapter 4 – Text CompletionQuestions

Copyright © 2014 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. E T S, the E T S logo, GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATIONS, and G R E are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (E T S) in the United States and other countries.

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Chapter 4Question Type 2: Text Completion

This chapter contains three sets of practice Text Completion questions. The sets are arranged in order of increasing difficulty, one easy, one medium, and one hard.

The answer key and the explanations for the answers for Chapter 4 are in the separate document named “G R E Chapter 4 Text Completion Answers and Explanations.doc.”

Sharpen your G R E Verbal Reasoning skills by working your way through these question sets, remembering to use the Tips for Answering given in Chapter 2. Begin with the easy set and then move on to the medium-difficulty and hard sets. Review the answer explanations carefully, paying particular attention to the explanations for questions that you answered incorrectly. Were you able to

understand the overall meaning of the passage? identify significant words in the passage? think up your own words for the blanks?

Set 1. EasyDirections for questions 1 to 3:Each of the following questions includes a short text with a blank, indicating that something has been omitted. Select the entry that best completes the text.

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For each question, first you will hear the text with the word “BLANK” indicating that a word or phrase is omitted. There are five answer choices, each consisting of a word or phrase, for filling in the blank. Next, you will hear the five lettered options for filling in the blank. You may then indicate your answer, or go on to listen to the Answer Choices in Context.

Following the list of answer choices are five lettered readings of the text, one for each answer choice. The group of readings is separated from the main text using the “Begin skippable content” and “End skippable content” level-6 headings.

Question 1.This composer has never courted popularity: her rugged modernism seems to defy rather than to BLANK the audience.

A. ignoreB. discountC. wooD. teachE. cow

Indicate one answer choice or go on to hear the choices in context.

Begin skippable content.

Answer Choices in Context:

A. ignore. This composer has never courted popularity: her rugged modernism seems to defy rather than to ignore the audience.

B. discount. This composer has never courted popularity: her rugged modernism seems to defy rather than to discount the audience.

C. woo. This composer has never courted popularity: her rugged modernism seems to defy rather than to woo the audience.

D. teach. This composer has never courted popularity: her rugged modernism seems to defy rather than to teach the audience.

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E. cow. This composer has never courted popularity: her rugged modernism seems to defy rather than to cow the audience.

Indicate one answer choice.

End skippable content.

Question 2.The sight of a single actor portraying several characters in the same scene is no longer a shock to the average moviegoer, such special-effects trickery having become so BLANK.

A. expensiveB. specializedC. sinisterD. commonplaceE. unreliable




A. expensive. The sight of a single actor portraying several characters in the same scene is no longer a shock to the average moviegoer, such special-effects trickery having become so expensive.

B. specialized. The sight of a single actor portraying several characters in the same scene is no longer a shock to the average moviegoer, such special-effects trickery having become so specialized.

C. sinister. The sight of a single actor portraying several characters in the same scene is no longer a shock to the average moviegoer, such special-effects trickery having become so sinister.

D. commonplace. The sight of a single actor portraying several characters in the same scene is no longer a shock to the average moviegoer, such special-effects trickery having become so commonplace.

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E. unreliable. The sight of a single actor portraying several characters in the same scene is no longer a shock to the average moviegoer, such special-effects trickery having become so unreliable.



Question 3.Early studies often concluded that the public was BLANK the propagandistic influence of mass communications, but one recent study indicates that, on the contrary, mass communications seldom produce marked changes in social attitudes or actions.

A. unaware ofB. scornful ofC. susceptible toD. unimpressed byE. coping with




A. unaware of. Early studies often concluded that the public was unaware of the propagandistic influence of mass communications, but one recent study indicates that, on the contrary, mass communications seldom produce marked changes in social attitudes or actions.

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B. scornful of. Early studies often concluded that the public was scornful of the propagandistic influence of mass communications, but one recent study indicates that, on the contrary, mass communications seldom produce marked changes in social attitudes or actions.

C. susceptible to. Early studies often concluded that the public was susceptible to the propagandistic influence of mass communications, but one recent study indicates that, on the contrary, mass communications seldom produce marked changes in social attitudes or actions.

D. unimpressed by. Early studies often concluded that the public was unimpressed by the propagandistic influence of mass communications, but one recent study indicates that, on the contrary, mass communications seldom produce marked changes in social attitudes or actions.

E. coping with. Early studies often concluded that the public was coping with the propagandistic influence of mass communications, but one recent study indicates that, on the contrary, mass communications seldom produce marked changes in social attitudes or actions.



Directions for questions 4 to 9:Each of the following questions includes a short text with two or three blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. You will be asked to select one entry for each blank from the corresponding choices. Fill all blanks in the way that best completes the text.

For each question, first you will hear the text with the word “BLANK” in place of the omitted material. Next, you will hear the text again, but in place of each blank, you will hear three lettered options for completing that blank. The set of lettered options is formatted as bold and enclosed by parentheses. Each option consists of a word or phrase.

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For questions containing two blanks, following the list of answer choices are nine readings of the text, one for each answer choice combination. The group of readings begins with a “Begin skippable content” level-6 heading and ends with an “End skippable content” level-6 heading. Each reading consists of two option letters, the two words or phrases being combined, and the text with the combination of the words or phrases inserted into the blanks.

For questions containing three blanks, the choices will not be read in context because it has been determined that replaying the question for all possible combinations of answer choices is not a useful way to present these questions.

Question 4.This question has two blanks.

The figure-skating pair’s convincing victory last week was particularly BLANK to their rivals, who were in peak form and complained privately about the judging. That the pair won when their rivals were BLANK too is also impressive.

Now listen to the text with the three options inserted in place of each blank.

The figure-skating pair’s convincing victory last week was particularly (A. unsurprising, B. irksome, C. gratifying) to their rivals, who were in peak form and complained privately about the judging. That the pair won when their rivals were (D. terrific, E. nervous, F. inconsistent) too is also impressive.

Indicate your two answer choices or go on to hear them in context. Fill all blanks in the way that best completes the text.



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A, D. unsurprising, terrific. The figure-skating pair’s convincing victory last week was particularly unsurprising to their rivals, who were in peak form and complained privately about the judging. That the pair won when their rivals were terrific too is also impressive.

A, E. unsurprising, nervous. The figure-skating pair’s convincing victory last week was particularly unsurprising to their rivals, who were in peak form and complained privately about the judging. That the pair won when their rivals were nervous too is also impressive.

A, F. unsurprising, inconsistent. The figure-skating pair’s convincing victory last week was particularly unsurprising to their rivals, who were in peak form and complained privately about the judging. That the pair won when their rivals were inconsistent too is also impressive.

B, D. irksome, terrific. The figure-skating pair’s convincing victory last week was particularly irksome to their rivals, who were in peak form and complained privately about the judging. That the pair won when their rivals were terrific too is also impressive.

B, E. irksome, nervous. The figure-skating pair’s convincing victory last week was particularly irksome to their rivals, who were in peak form and complained privately about the judging. That the pair won when their rivals were nervous too is also impressive.

B, F. irksome, inconsistent. The figure-skating pair’s convincing victory last week was particularly irksome to their rivals, who were in peak form and complained privately about the judging. That the pair won when their rivals were inconsistent too is also impressive.

C, D. gratifying, terrific. The figure-skating pair’s convincing victory last week was particularly gratifying to their rivals, who were in peak form and complained privately about the judging. That the pair won when their rivals were terrific too is also impressive.

C, E. gratifying, nervous. The figure-skating pair’s convincing victory last week was particularly gratifying to their rivals, who were in peak form and complained privately about the judging. That the pair won when their rivals were nervous too is also impressive.

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C, F. gratifying, inconsistent. The figure-skating pair’s convincing victory last week was particularly gratifying to their rivals, who were in peak form and complained privately about the judging. That the pair won when their rivals were inconsistent too is also impressive.

Indicate your two answer choices. Fill all blanks in the way that best completes the text.



In his initial works, the playwright made physical disease BLANK factor in the action; from this, his early critics inferred that he had a predilection for focusing on BLANK subject matter.


In his initial works, the playwright made physical disease (A. a pivotal, B. a nonexistent, C. an obscure) factor in the action; from this, his early critics inferred that he had a predilection for focusing on (D. recondite, E. uncomplicated, F. morbid) subject matter.




A, D. a pivotal, recondite. In his initial works, the playwright made physical disease a pivotal factor in the action; from this, his early critics inferred that he had a predilection for focusing on recondite subject matter.

A, E. a pivotal, uncomplicated. In his initial works, the playwright made physical disease a pivotal factor in the action; from this, his early critics

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inferred that he had a predilection for focusing on uncomplicated subject matter.A, F. a pivotal, morbid. In his initial works, the playwright made physical disease a pivotal factor in the action; from this, his early critics inferred that he had a predilection for focusing on morbid subject matter.B, D. a nonexistent, recondite. In his initial works, the playwright made physical disease a nonexistent factor in the action; from this, his early critics inferred that he had a predilection for focusing on recondite subject matter.B, E. a nonexistent, uncomplicated. In his initial works, the playwright made physical disease a nonexistent factor in the action; from this, his early critics inferred that he had a predilection for focusing on uncomplicated subject matter.B, F. a nonexistent, morbid. In his initial works, the playwright made physical disease a nonexistent factor in the action; from this, his early critics inferred that he had a predilection for focusing on morbid subject matter.C, D. an obscure, recondite. In his initial works, the playwright made physical disease an obscure factor in the action; from this, his early critics inferred that he had a predilection for focusing on recondite subject matter.C, E. an obscure, uncomplicated. In his initial works, the playwright made physical disease an obscure factor in the action; from this, his early critics inferred that he had a predilection for focusing on uncomplicated subject matter.C, F. an obscure, morbid. In his initial works, the playwright made physical disease an obscure factor in the action; from this, his early critics inferred that he had a predilection for focusing on morbid subject matter.Indicate your two answer choices. Fill all blanks in the way that best completes the text.


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Question 6.

This question has two blanks.

We have yet to BLANK the assessment of Canada’s biodiversity. Most of the vertebrates have been assessed, but our challenge will be the assessment of invertebrates and plants. This task is BLANK not only because of the high number of species, but also because of the diversity, each species requiring a different approach.


We have yet to (A. initiate, B. complete, C. limit) the assessment of Canada’s biodiversity. Most of the vertebrates have been assessed, but our challenge will be the assessment of invertebrates and plants. This task is (D. repetitious, E. trivial, F. daunting) not only because of the high number of species, but also because of the diversity, each species requiring a different approach.



Answer Choices in Context:A, D. initiate, repetitious. We have yet to initiate the assessment of Canada’s biodiversity. Most of the vertebrates have been assessed, but our challenge will be the assessment of invertebrates and plants. This task is repetitious not only because of the high number of species, but also because of the diversity, each species requiring a different approach.

A, E. initiate, trivial. We have yet to initiate the assessment of Canada’s biodiversity. Most of the vertebrates have been assessed, but our challenge will be the assessment of invertebrates and plants. This task is trivial not only because of the high number of species, but also because of the diversity, each species requiring a different approach.

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A, F. initiate, daunting. We have yet to initiate the assessment of Canada’s biodiversity. Most of the vertebrates have been assessed, but our challenge will be the assessment of invertebrates and plants. This task is daunting not only because of the high number of species, but also because of the diversity, each species requiring a different approach.

B, D. complete, repetitious. We have yet to complete the assessment of Canada’s biodiversity. Most of the vertebrates have been assessed, but our challenge will be the assessment of invertebrates and plants. This task is repetitious not only because of the high number of species, but also because of the diversity, each species requiring a different approach.

B, E. complete, trivial. We have yet to complete the assessment of Canada’s biodiversity. Most of the vertebrates have been assessed, but our challenge will be the assessment of invertebrates and plants. This task is trivial not only because of the high number of species, but also because of the diversity, each species requiring a different approach.

B, F. complete, daunting. We have yet to complete the assessment of Canada’s biodiversity. Most of the vertebrates have been assessed, but our challenge will be the assessment of invertebrates and plants. This task is daunting not only because of the high number of species, but also because of the diversity, each species requiring a different approach.

C, D. limit, repetitious. We have yet to limit the assessment of Canada’s biodiversity. Most of the vertebrates have been assessed, but our challenge will be the assessment of invertebrates and plants. This task is repetitious not only because of the high number of species, but also because of the diversity, each species requiring a different approach.

C, E. limit, trivial. We have yet to limit the assessment of Canada’s biodiversity. Most of the vertebrates have been assessed, but our challenge will be the assessment of invertebrates and plants. This task is trivial not only because of the high number of species, but also because of the diversity, each species requiring a different approach.

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C, F. limit, daunting. We have yet to limit the assessment of Canada’s biodiversity. Most of the vertebrates have been assessed, but our challenge will be the assessment of invertebrates and plants. This task is daunting not only because of the high number of species, but also because of the diversity, each species requiring a different approach.



Question 7.This question has three blanks.

The company’s efforts to improve safety were apparently BLANK, at least according to the company’s own data, which showed that the BLANK incidents with the potential to cause a serious accident declined significantly. Nevertheless, independent analysts argue that those statistics are BLANK. These analysts maintain that the company has consistently underestimated both the probability and the likely effects of accidents in the sensitive and poorly understood environment in which the company is operating.


The company’s efforts to improve safety were apparently (A. innovative, B. successful, C. frustrated), at least according to the company’s own data, which showed that the (D. frequency of, E. impediments to, F. attention to) incidents with the potential to cause a serious accident declined significantly. Nevertheless, independent analysts argue that those statistics are (G . deceptive, H. testable, I. consistent). These analysts maintain that the company has consistently underestimated both the probability and the likely effects of accidents in the sensitive and poorly understood environment in which the company is operating.

Indicate your three answer choices. Fill all blanks in the way that best completes the text.

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Question 8.This question has three blanks.Researchers trying to make it possible to trace counterfeit documents to the printer that produced them are BLANK the fact that the rotating drums and mirrors inside laser printers are imperfect devices that leave unique patterns of banding in their output. Although these patterns are BLANK to the naked eye, they can be BLANK and analyzed by computer programs that the researchers have spent the past year devising.


Researchers trying to make it possible to trace counterfeit documents to the printer that produced them are (A. exploiting, B. facing, C. manipulating) the fact that the rotating drums and mirrors inside laser printers are imperfect devices that leave unique patterns of banding in their output. Although these patterns are (D. invisible, E. obvious, F. unappealing.) to the naked eye, they can be (G. detected, H. implemented, I. generated) and analyzed by computer programs that the researchers have spent the past year devising.



In her startlingly original writing, she went further than any other twentieth-century author in English (perhaps in any language) in BLANK literary language and form, BLANK stylistic conventions, and BLANK a rich and diverse structure of meaning.


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In her startlingly original writing, she went further than any other twentieth-century author in English (perhaps in any language) in (A. reinventing, B. canonizing, C. stabilizing) literary language and form, (D. undoing, E. overpraising, F. misunderstanding) stylistic conventions, and (G. replicating, H. borrowing, I. introducing) a rich and diverse structure of meaning.


Set 2. Medium DifficultyDirections for questions 1 and 2:Each of the following questions includes a short text with a blank, indicating that something has been omitted. Select the entry that best completes the text.



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Question 1.The media once portrayed the governor as anything but ineffective; they now, however, make her out to be the epitome of BLANK.

A. fecklessnessB. brillianceC. dynamismD. egoismE. punctiliousness




A. fecklessness. The media once portrayed the governor as anything but ineffective; they now, however, make her out to be the epitome of fecklessness.

B. brilliance. The media once portrayed the governor as anything but ineffective; they now, however, make her out to be the epitome of brilliance.

C. dynamism. The media once portrayed the governor as anything but ineffective; they now, however, make her out to be the epitome of dynamism.

D. egoism. The media once portrayed the governor as anything but ineffective; they now, however, make her out to be the epitome of egoism.

E. punctiliousness. The media once portrayed the governor as anything but ineffective; they now, however, make her out to be the epitome of punctiliousness.



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Question 2.For most of the first half of the nineteenth century, science at the university was in BLANK state, despite the presence of numerous luminaries.A. a scintillatingB. a patheticC. a controversialD. an incendiaryE. a veracious Indicate one answer choice or go on to hear the choices in context.



A. a scintillating. For most of the first half of the nineteenth century, science at the university was in a scintillating state, despite the presence of numerous luminaries.B. a pathetic. For most of the first half of the nineteenth century, science at the university was in a pathetic state, despite the presence of numerous luminaries.C. a controversial. For most of the first half of the nineteenth century, science at the university was in a controversial state, despite the presence of numerous luminaries.D. an incendiary. For most of the first half of the nineteenth century, science at the university was in an incendiary state, despite the presence of numerous luminaries.E. a veracious. For most of the first half of the nineteenth century, science at the university was in a veracious state, despite the presence of numerous luminaries.



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In a recent history of the Renaissance, by showing how the artistic efflorescence of that era was BLANK linked to its commercial vitality, Jardine demonstrated that the spirit of acquisitiveness may be BLANK that of cultural creativity.


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In a recent history of the Renaissance, by showing how the artistic efflorescence of that era was (A. questionably, B. intimately, C. skeptically) linked to its commercial vitality, Jardine demonstrated that the spirit of acquisitiveness may be (D. threatened by, E. inseparable from, F. comparable to.) that of cultural creativity.



Answer Choices in Context:A, D. questionably, threatened by. In a recent history of the Renaissance, by showing how the artistic efflorescence of that era was questionably linked to its commercial vitality, Jardine demonstrated that the spirit of acquisitiveness may be threatened by that of cultural creativity.A, E. questionably, inseparable from. In a recent history of the Renaissance, by showing how the artistic efflorescence of that era was questionably linked to its commercial vitality, Jardine demonstrated that the spirit of acquisitiveness may be inseparable from that of cultural creativity.A, F. questionably, comparable to. In a recent history of the Renaissance, by showing how the artistic efflorescence of that era was questionably linked to its commercial vitality, Jardine demonstrated that the spirit of acquisitiveness may be comparable to that of cultural creativity.B, D. intimately, threatened by. In a recent history of the Renaissance, by showing how the artistic efflorescence of that era was intimately linked to its commercial vitality, Jardine demonstrated that the spirit of acquisitiveness may be threatened by that of cultural creativity.

B, E. intimately, inseparable from. In a recent history of the Renaissance, by showing how the artistic efflorescence of that era was intimately linked to its commercial vitality, Jardine demonstrated that the spirit of acquisitiveness may be inseparable from that of cultural creativity.

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B, F. intimately, comparable to. In a recent history of the Renaissance, by showing how the artistic efflorescence of that era was intimately linked to its commercial vitality, Jardine demonstrated that the spirit of acquisitiveness may be comparable to that of cultural creativity.

C, D. skeptically, threatened by. In a recent history of the Renaissance, by showing how the artistic efflorescence of that era was skeptically linked to its commercial vitality, Jardine demonstrated that the spirit of acquisitiveness may be threatened by that of cultural creativity.

C, E. skeptically, inseparable from. In a recent history of the Renaissance, by showing how the artistic efflorescence of that era was skeptically linked to its commercial vitality, Jardine demonstrated that the spirit of acquisitiveness may be inseparable from that of cultural creativity.

C, F. skeptically, comparable to. In a recent history of the Renaissance, by showing how the artistic efflorescence of that era was skeptically linked to its commercial vitality, Jardine demonstrated that the spirit of acquisitiveness may be comparable to that of cultural creativity.




The setting in which the concert took place BLANK: the group’s performance was elegant and polished, but the sound, which seeped across the cold, unresonant high school auditorium, was oddly BLANK, given the energy the players seemed to be putting into it.


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The setting in which the concert took place (A. exacted a toll, B. encouraged nervousness, C. solved a dilemma): the group’s performance was elegant and polished, but the sound, which seeped across the cold, unresonant high school auditorium, was oddly (D. clangorous, E. tepid, F. inviting), given the energy the players seemed to be putting into it.




A, D. exacted a toll, clangorous. The setting in which the concert took place exacted a toll: the group’s performance was elegant and polished, but the sound, which seeped across the cold, unresonant high school auditorium, was oddly clangorous, given the energy the players seemed to be putting into it.

A, E. exacted a toll, tepid. The setting in which the concert took place exacted a toll: the group’s performance was elegant and polished, but the sound, which seeped across the cold, unresonant high school auditorium, was oddly tepid, given the energy the players seemed to be putting into it.

A, F. exacted a toll, inviting. The setting in which the concert took place exacted a toll: the group’s performance was elegant and polished, but the sound, which seeped across the cold, unresonant high school auditorium, was oddly inviting, given the energy the players seemed to be putting into it.

B, D. encouraged nervousness, clangorous. The setting in which the concert took place encouraged nervousness: the group’s performance was elegant and polished, but the sound, which seeped across the cold, unresonant high school auditorium, was oddly clangorous, given the energy the players seemed to be putting into it.

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B, E. encouraged nervousness, tepid. The setting in which the concert took place encouraged nervousness: the group’s performance was elegant and polished, but the sound, which seeped across the cold, unresonant high school auditorium, was oddly tepid, given the energy the players seemed to be putting into it.

B, F. encouraged nervousness, inviting. The setting in which the concert took place encouraged nervousness: the group’s performance was elegant and polished, but the sound, which seeped across the cold, unresonant high school auditorium, was oddly inviting, given the energy the players seemed to be putting into it.

C, D. solved a dilemma, clangorous. The setting in which the concert took place solved a dilemma: the group’s performance was elegant and polished, but the sound, which seeped across the cold, unresonant high school auditorium, was oddly clangorous, given the energy the players seemed to be putting into it.

C, E. solved a dilemma, tepid. The setting in which the concert took place solved a dilemma: the group’s performance was elegant and polished, but the sound, which seeped across the cold, unresonant high school auditorium, was oddly tepid, given the energy the players seemed to be putting into it.

C, F. solved a dilemma, inviting. The setting in which the concert took place solved a dilemma: the group’s performance was elegant and polished, but the sound, which seeped across the cold, unresonant high school auditorium, was oddly inviting, given the energy the players seemed to be putting into it.




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The governor has long been obsessed with excising the media from the politician-public relationship. That’s been the unifying aim of all her seemingly disconnected ventures since entering public life: a determination to BLANK, and eventually BLANK, the media’s hold on political communication.


The governor has long been obsessed with excising the media from the politician-public relationship. That’s been the unifying aim of all her seemingly disconnected ventures since entering public life: a determination to (A. conceal, B. erode, C. rejuvenate), and eventually (D. augment, E. consolidate, F. end), the media’s hold on political communication.




A, D. conceal, augment. The governor has long been obsessed with excising the media from the politician-public relationship. That’s been the unifying aim of all her seemingly disconnected ventures since entering public life: a determination to conceal, and eventually augment, the media’s hold on political communication.

A, E. conceal, consolidate. The governor has long been obsessed with excising the media from the politician-public relationship. That’s been the unifying aim of all her seemingly disconnected ventures since entering public life: a determination to conceal, and eventually consolidate, the media’s hold on political communication.

A, F. conceal, end. The governor has long been obsessed with excising the media from the politician-public relationship. That’s been the unifying aim of all her seemingly disconnected ventures since entering public life: a determination to conceal, and eventually end, the media’s hold on political communication.

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B, D. erode, augment. The governor has long been obsessed with excising the media from the politician-public relationship. That’s been the unifying aim of all her seemingly disconnected ventures since entering public life: a determination to erode, and eventually augment, the media’s hold on political communication.

B, E. erode, consolidate. The governor has long been obsessed with excising the media from the politician-public relationship. That’s been the unifying aim of all her seemingly disconnected ventures since entering public life: a determination to erode, and eventually consolidate, the media’s hold on political communication.

B, F. erode, end. The governor has long been obsessed with excising the media from the politician-public relationship. That’s been the unifying aim of all her seemingly disconnected ventures since entering public life: a determination to erode, and eventually end, the media’s hold on political communication.

C, D. rejuvenate, augment. The governor has long been obsessed with excising the media from the politician-public relationship. That’s been the unifying aim of all her seemingly disconnected ventures since entering public life: a determination to rejuvenate, and eventually augment, the media’s hold on political communication.

C, E. rejuvenate, consolidate. The governor has long been obsessed with excising the media from the politician-public relationship. That’s been the unifying aim of all her seemingly disconnected ventures since entering public life: a determination to rejuvenate, and eventually consolidate, the media’s hold on political communication.

C, F. rejuvenate, end. The governor has long been obsessed with excising the media from the politician-public relationship. That’s been the unifying aim of all her seemingly disconnected ventures since entering public life: a determination to rejuvenate, and eventually end, the media’s hold on political communication.



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Female labor was essential to the growth of eighteenth-century European textile industries, yet it remains difficult to BLANK. Despite significant BLANK in research about women, the role of female labor remains the single most glaring omission in most economic analyses of the history of European industrialization. Women far outnumbered men as workers in the textile industries, yet wage indices and discussions of growth, cost of living, and the like BLANK about the male labor force.


Female labor was essential to the growth of eighteenth-century European textile industries, yet it remains difficult to (A. track, B. overestimate, C. ignore). Despite significant (D. advances, E. gaps, F. disinterest) in research about women, the role of female labor remains the single most glaring omission in most economic analyses of the history of European industrialization. Women far outnumbered men as workers in the textile industries, yet wage indices and discussions of growth, cost of living, and the like (G. incorporate data only, H. suppress most information, I. too rarely talk) about the male labor force.



It is a sad but just indictment of some high school history textbooks that they frequently report as BLANK claims that historians hotly debate or that are even completely BLANK by BLANK primary sources.


It is a sad but just indictment of some high school history textbooks that they frequently report as (A. factual, B. controversial, C. sensational) claims that historians hotly debate or that are even completely

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(D. resolved, E. corroborated, F. contradicted) by (G. dubious, H. incomplete, I. reliable) primary sources.



The reason minimum temperatures are going up more rapidly than maximums may involve cloud cover and evaporative cooling. Clouds tend to keep the days cooler by reflecting sunlight, and the nights warmer by BLANK loss of heat from Earth’s surface. Greater amounts of moisture in the soil from additional precipitation and cloudiness BLANK the daytime temperature increases because part of the solar energy is BLANK the evaporation of that moisture.


The reason minimum temperatures are going up more rapidly than maximums may involve cloud cover and evaporative cooling. Clouds tend to keep the days cooler by reflecting sunlight, and the nights warmer by (A. inhibiting, B. exacerbating, C. replicating) loss of heat from Earth’s surface. Greater amounts of moisture in the soil from additional precipitation and cloudiness (D. augment, E. mask, F. restrain) the daytime temperature increases because part of the solar energy is (G. intensified by, H. unrelated to, I. used up in) the evaporation of that moisture.


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Set 3. HardDirections for questions 1 to 3:Each of the following questions includes a short text with a blank, indicating that something has been omitted. Select the entry that best completes the text.



Question 1.Normative ethics aims to BLANK: it searches for norms, not in the sense of what is average and therefore considered normal, but in the sense of authoritative standards of what ought to be.

A. predictB. mitigateC. prescribeD. questionE. personalize




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A. predict. Normative ethics aims to predict: it searches for norms, not in the sense of what is average and therefore considered normal, but in the sense of authoritative standards of what ought to be.

B. mitigate. Normative ethics aims to mitigate: it searches for norms, not in the sense of what is average and therefore considered normal, but in the sense of authoritative standards of what ought to be.

C. prescribe. Normative ethics aims to prescribe: it searches for norms, not in the sense of what is average and therefore considered normal, but in the sense of authoritative standards of what ought to be.

D. question. Normative ethics aims to question: it searches for norms, not in the sense of what is average and therefore considered normal, but in the sense of authoritative standards of what ought to be.

E. personalize. Normative ethics aims to personalize: it searches for norms, not in the sense of what is average and therefore considered normal, but in the sense of authoritative standards of what ought to be.



Question 2.When she first came to France from Bulgaria, she was hardly the BLANK student she later made herself out to be, since she had access to considerable family wealth.

A. naiveB. precociousC. impecuniousD. ambitiousE. assiduous



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A. naive. When she first came to France from Bulgaria, she was hardly the naive student she later made herself out to be, since she had access to considerable family wealth.

B. precocious. When she first came to France from Bulgaria, she was hardly the precocious student she later made herself out to be, since she had access to considerable family wealth.

C. impecunious. When she first came to France from Bulgaria, she was hardly the impecunious student she later made herself out to be, since she had access to considerable family wealth.

D. ambitious. When she first came to France from Bulgaria, she was hardly the ambitious student she later made herself out to be, since she had access to considerable family wealth.

E. assiduous. When she first came to France from Bulgaria, she was hardly the assiduous student she later made herself out to be, since she had access to considerable family wealth.



Question 3.Researchers have observed chimpanzees feigning injury in order to influence other members of the group, thus showing that the capacity to BLANK is not uniquely human.

A. cooperateB. instructC. conspireD. dissembleE. dominate


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A. cooperate. Researchers have observed chimpanzees feigning injury in order to influence other members of the group, thus showing that the capacity to cooperate is not uniquely human.

B. instruct. Researchers have observed chimpanzees feigning injury in order to influence other members of the group, thus showing that the capacity to instruct is not uniquely human.

C. conspire. Researchers have observed chimpanzees feigning injury in order to influence other members of the group, thus showing that the capacity to conspire is not uniquely human.

D. dissemble. Researchers have observed chimpanzees feigning injury in order to influence other members of the group, thus showing that the capacity to dissemble is not uniquely human.

E. dominate. Researchers have observed chimpanzees feigning injury in order to influence other members of the group, thus showing that the capacity to dominate is not uniquely human.




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Instant celebrity is often BLANK asset because if there is no BLANK to interest the public—no stage or screen triumphs, no interesting books, no heroic exploits—people quickly become bored.


Instant celebrity is often (A. a fleeting, B. an incomparable, C. an untapped) asset because if there is no (D. competing attraction, E. continuity of exposure, F. real achievement) to interest the public—no stage or screen triumphs, no interesting books, no heroic exploits—people quickly become bored.

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A, D. a fleeting, competing attraction. Instant celebrity is often a fleeting asset because if there is no competing attraction to interest the public—no stage or screen triumphs, no interesting books, no heroic exploits—people quickly become bored.

A, E. a fleeting, continuity of exposure. Instant celebrity is often a fleeting asset because if there is no continuity of exposure to interest the public—no stage or screen triumphs, no interesting books, no heroic exploits—people quickly become bored.

A, F. a fleeting, real achievement. Instant celebrity is often a fleeting asset because if there is no real achievement to interest the public—no stage or screen triumphs, no interesting books, no heroic exploits—people quickly become bored.

B, D. an incomparable, competing attraction. Instant celebrity is often an incomparable asset because if there is no competing attraction to interest the public—no stage or screen triumphs, no interesting books, no heroic exploits—people quickly become bored.

B, E. an incomparable, continuity of exposure. Instant celebrity is often an incomparable asset because if there is no continuity of exposure to interest the public—no stage or screen triumphs, no interesting books, no heroic exploits—people quickly become bored.

B, F. an incomparable, real achievement. Instant celebrity is often an incomparable asset because if there is no real achievement to interest the public—no stage or screen triumphs, no interesting books, no heroic exploits—people quickly become bored.

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C, D. an untapped, competing attraction. Instant celebrity is often an untapped asset because if there is no competing attraction to interest the public—no stage or screen triumphs, no interesting books, no heroic exploits—people quickly become bored.

C, E. an untapped, continuity of exposure. Instant celebrity is often an untapped asset because if there is no continuity of exposure to interest the public—no stage or screen triumphs, no interesting books, no heroic exploits—people quickly become bored.

C, F. an untapped, real achievement. Instant celebrity is often an untapped asset because if there is no real achievement to interest the public—no stage or screen triumphs, no interesting books, no heroic exploits—people quickly become bored.




At their best, BLANK book reviews are written in defense of value and in the tacit hope that the author, having had his or her BLANK pointed out, might secretly agree that the book could be improved.


At their best, (A. abstruse, B. adverse, C. hortatory) book reviews are written in defense of value and in the tacit hope that the author, having had his or her (D. strengths, E. transgressions, F. assumptions) pointed out, might secretly agree that the book could be improved.



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A, D. abstruse, strengths. At their best, abstruse book reviews are written in defense of value and in the tacit hope that the author, having had his or her strengths pointed out, might secretly agree that the book could be improved.

A, E. abstruse, transgressions. At their best, abstruse book reviews are written in defense of value and in the tacit hope that the author, having had his or her transgressions pointed out, might secretly agree that the book could be improved.

A, F. abstruse, assumptions. At their best, abstruse book reviews are written in defense of value and in the tacit hope that the author, having had his or her assumptions pointed out, might secretly agree that the book could be improved.

B, D. adverse, strengths. At their best, adverse book reviews are written in defense of value and in the tacit hope that the author, having had his or her strengths pointed out, might secretly agree that the book could be improved.

B, E. adverse, transgressions. At their best, adverse book reviews are written in defense of value and in the tacit hope that the author, having had his or her transgressions pointed out, might secretly agree that the book could be improved.

B, F. adverse, assumptions. At their best, adverse book reviews are written in defense of value and in the tacit hope that the author, having had his or her assumptions pointed out, might secretly agree that the book could be improved.

C, D. hortatory, strengths. At their best, hortatory book reviews are written in defense of value and in the tacit hope that the author, having had his or her strengths pointed out, might secretly agree that the book could be improved.

C, E. hortatory, transgressions. At their best, hortatory book reviews are written in defense of value and in the tacit hope that the author, having had his or her transgressions pointed out, might secretly agree that the book could be improved.

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C, F. hortatory, assumptions. At their best, hortatory book reviews are written in defense of value and in the tacit hope that the author, having had his or her assumptions pointed out, might secretly agree that the book could be improved.




The gaps in existing accounts of the playwright’s life are not BLANK, since much of the documentary evidence on which historians have relied is BLANK.


The gaps in existing accounts of the playwright’s life are not (A. trifling, B. obvious, C. implicit), since much of the documentary evidence on which historians have relied is (D. credible, E. extant, F. incomplete).




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A, D. trifling, credible. The gaps in existing accounts of the playwright’s life are not trifling, since much of the documentary evidence on which historians have relied is credible.

A, E. trifling, extant. The gaps in existing accounts of the playwright’s life are not trifling, since much of the documentary evidence on which historians have relied is extant.

A, F. trifling, incomplete. The gaps in existing accounts of the playwright’s life are not trifling, since much of the documentary evidence on which historians have relied is incomplete.

B, D. obvious, credible. The gaps in existing accounts of the playwright’s life are not obvious, since much of the documentary evidence on which historians have relied is credible.

B, E. obvious, extant. The gaps in existing accounts of the playwright’s life are not obvious, since much of the documentary evidence on which historians have relied is extant.

B, F. obvious, incomplete. The gaps in existing accounts of the playwright’s life are not obvious, since much of the documentary evidence on which historians have relied is incomplete.

C, D. implicit, credible. The gaps in existing accounts of the playwright’s life are not implicit, since much of the documentary evidence on which historians have relied is credible.

C, E. implicit, extant. The gaps in existing accounts of the playwright’s life are not implicit, since much of the documentary evidence on which historians have relied is extant.

C, F. implicit, incomplete. The gaps in existing accounts of the playwright’s life are not implicit, since much of the documentary evidence on which historians have relied is incomplete.



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That today’s students of American culture tend to BLANK classical music is understandable. In our own time, America’s musical high culture has degenerated into a formulaic entertainment divorced from the contemporary moment. Thus, to miss out on what our orchestras are up to is not to BLANK much. In the late Gilded Age, however, music was widely esteemed as the “queen of the arts.” Classical music was in its American heyday, BLANK the culture at large.


That today’s students of American culture tend to (A. promote, B. reinterpret, C. ignore) classical music is understandable. In our own time, America’s musical high culture has degenerated into a formulaic entertainment divorced from the contemporary moment. Thus, to miss out on what our orchestras are up to is not to (D. sacrifice, E. appreciate, F. malign) much. In the late Gilded Age, however, music was widely esteemed as the “queen of the arts.” Classical music was in its American heyday, (G. antagonistic toward, H. generally rejected by, I. centrally embedded in) the culture at large.Indicate your three answer choices. Fill all blanks in the way that best completes the text.


The serious study of popular culture by intellectuals is regularly credited with having rendered obsolete a once-dominant view that popular culture is inherently inferior to high art. Yet this alteration of attitudes may be somewhat BLANK. Although it is now academically respectable to analyze popular culture, the fact that many intellectuals feel compelled to rationalize their own BLANK action movies or mass-market fiction reveals, perhaps unwittingly, their continued BLANK the old hierarchy of high and low culture.

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The serious study of popular culture by intellectuals is regularly credited with having rendered obsolete a once-dominant view that popular culture is inherently inferior to high art. Yet this alteration of attitudes may be somewhat (A. counterproductive, B. underappreciated, C. overstated). Although it is now academically respectable to analyze popular culture, the fact that many intellectuals feel compelled to rationalize their own (D. penchant for, E. distaste for, F. indifference to) action movies or mass-market fiction reveals, perhaps unwittingly, their continued (G. aversion to, H. investment in, I. misunderstanding of) the old hierarchy of high and low culture.


The answer key and the explanations for the answers for Chapter 4 are in the separate document named “G.R.E Chapter 4 Text Completion Answers and Explanations.doc.”

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