Now let's discuss how this Method works for Text Completion (One-Blank).
Step 1 : Read the sentence, looking for clues.
There are always clues in the sentence that will point you to the right answer. The missing words in Text Completion questions will usually have a relationship similar to or opposite from key words in the sentence.
On the GRE, a semicolon by itself always connects two closely related independent clauses. If a semicolon is followed by a road sign, then that clue word determines the direction. There are road signs in the GRE that tell you to go straight ahead and those that tell you to take a detour.
“ Straight-ahead” road signs are used to make one part of the sentence support or elaborate another part. They continue the sentence in the same direction. The positive or negative connotation of what follows is not changed by these clues.
“ Detour” road signs change the direction of the sentence. They make one part of the sentence contradict or qualify another part. The positive or negative connotation of an answer is changed by these clues.
Review the sample examples of road signs on the next page. Interpreting the road sign will help you to determine which way the sentence is going and to predict what words will best complete the blanks.
Key words and key phrases are the descriptors that lead to the meaning of the missing words.
Step 2 : Predict an answer.
Once you've found the road sign and the key word(s) relevant to the blank, predict an answer for the blank. Your prediction does not have to be a sophisticated or complex word or phrase, but simply a paraphrase that logically fits into the sentence. By predicting, you avoid the temptation of trying every answer choice on its own, which can take up valuable time on Test Day.
Step 3: Select the choice that most closely matches your prediction.
Quickly go through the choices and see which one most closely matches, and eliminate whichever choices do not fit your prediction. If none of the choices match your prediction, you should reread the question and revisit Steps 1 and 2.
Step 4 : Check your answer.
This step is simply double-checking that you did your work correctly and that your answer choice is correct in context. If your answer makes sense when you read your choice back into the sentence, you can confirm and move on. If your choice does not make sense when you read it back into the sentence, you should reread the question and revisit Steps 1 through 3.
GRE Text Completion Practice Questions with Explanation
How to Apply the this Method for Text Completion (One-Blank)
Now let's apply this Method to a Text Completion (One-Blank) question:
1. The yearly financial statement of a large corporation may seem _______________ at first, but the persistent reader soon finds its pages of facts and figures easy to decipher.
Step 1: Read the sentence, looking for clues.
The sentence contains the detour road sign but, which indicates that the correct answer will mean the opposite of another key word or key phrase in the sentence. The key phrase to note in this example is “ easy to decipher.”
Step 2 : Predict an answer.
Knowing that the blank must contrast with the phrase “ easy to decipher,” you can predict that the blank will be similar to “ difficult to understand.”
Step 3 : Select the choice that most closely matches your prediction.
Quickly go through the choices and see which one most closely matches “ difficult to understand,” which in this case is choice (A)bewildering.
Step 4: Check your answer.
Plugging the word bewildering into the sentence fits the context: “ The yearly financial statement of a large corporation may seem bewildering at first, but the persistent reader soon finds its pages of facts and figures easy to decipher.”
Now let's apply the this Method to a second Text Completion (One-Blank) question:
2. Although the initial cost of installing solar panels to produce electricity can be _______________, the financial benefits are realized for years to come in the form of reduced electric bills.
Step 1: Read the sentence, looking for clues.
The sentence contains the detour road sign although, which indicates that the correct answer will mean the opposite of a key word or key phrase in the sentence. The key phrase to note in this example is “ reduced electric bills.”
Step 2: Predict an answer.
Knowing that the blank must contrast with the phrase “ reduced electric bills,” you can predict that the blank will be similar to “ increased or high payments or costs.”
Step 3: Select the choice that most closely matches your prediction.
Quickly go through the five choices and see which one most closely matches “ increased or high payments or costs,” which in this case is choice (E)exorbitant.
Step 4 : Check your answer.
Plugging the word exorbitant into the sentence fits the context: “ Although the initial cost of installing solar panels to produce electricity can be exorbitant, the financial benefits are realized for years to come in the form of reduced electric bills.”
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