GRE Text Completion (Two-Blank and Three-Blank)
Now let's discuss how this Method for works Text Completion (Two-Blank and Three-Blanks).
Step 1 : Read the sentence, looking for clues.
There are clues in the sentence that will point you to the right answer. The missing words in Text Completions will usually have a relationship similar to or opposite from other words in the sentence. Now that you have multiple blanks to contend with, it is even more important to watch your road signs; different signs will point different ways. You will also need to keep track of your key words and key phrases. Remember, you need to get the answer choices for all the blanks right for the question to be scored as correct.
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 road sign determines the direction. There are road signs in the GRE that tell you to go straight ahead and others 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.
Refer to the list of road signs in the previous section to help you to determine which way the sentence is going and to predict what words will best complete the blank.
Step 2: Predict an answer for the easier/easiest blank.
Identify the easier/easiest blank to work with. Once you've found the road sign and the key word(s) relevant to the easier/easiest blank, predict an answer for that 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 answer choice that most closely matches your prediction.
Quickly go through the choices and see which one most closely matches your prediction. Simultaneously, eliminate whichever answer 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. If one does match, you should proceed to Step 4.
Step 4: Predict and select for the remaining blanks.
Once you have completed the easier/easiest blank, you provide a context in which to interpret the remaining blanks.
For two-blank Text Completions, use the context to help you choose the answer for the remaining blank. If the answers for the second blank are not working out, you know you need to go back to Step 2.
For three-blank Text Completions, select the easier of the two remaining blanks and predict which choice will most logically complete the sentence. You now have two blanks to provide context for the last, most difficult blank. This way, your approach to two- and three-blank questions is just a logical extension of your approach to one-blank questions.
Step 5 : Check your answers.
This step is simply double-checking that you did your work correctly and that your answer choices are correct in context. If your answers make sense when you read your choices back into the sentence, you can confirm and move on. If your choices do not make sense when you read them back into the sentence, you should reread the question and revisit Steps 1 through 4.
GRE Text Completion Practice Question with Explanation
How to Apply this Method for Text Completion (Two-Blank and Three-Blank)
Now let's apply this Method to a Text Completion (Two-Blank) question:
1. Everyone believed the team was favored with athletic talent and a seasoned, successful coaching staff; consequently, it was difficult to (i)_______________ why the team was (ii) _______________ so badly against one of the worst teams in the division.
Step 1 : Read the sentence, looking for clues.
In this sentence, the straight-ahead road sign consequently indicates that the correct answer will support or elaborate on another word or phrase in the text. The key word to note in this example is “ badly.”
Step 2 : Predict an answer for the easier/easiest blank.
Knowing that the second blank must support or elaborate on the phrase “ so badly,” you can predict that the blank will be similar to “ not doing very well.”
Step 3: Select the answer choice that most closely matches your prediction.
Quickly go through the three choices and see which one most closely matches “ not doing very well,” which, in this case, is choice (F)floundering.
Step 4: Predict and select for the remaining blanks.
Once you have completed the easier blank, you have a context in which to interpret the remaining missing word.
For the remaining blank, select the choice that will most logically complete the sentence. The first clause in the sentence indicated that the team should be good, but it is doing poorly, and this is “ difficult” for everyone, because it does not make sense. In other words, it is hard to understand. The answer choice most like “ understand” is (A)fathom.
Step 5: Check your answers.
Plugging the selected words into the sentence fits the context: “ Everyone believed the team was favored with athletic talent and a seasoned, successful coaching staff; consequently, it was difficult to fathomwhy the team was floundering so badly against one of the worst teams in the division.”
Now let's apply this Method to a Text Completion (Three-Blank) question 2:
It seemed there would be no resolving the matter, since both sides felt they had reached an (i) _______________ ; neither side would (ii) _______________, and the resulting (iii) _______________ would keep their relationship strained and fragile for years to come.
Step 1 : Read the sentence, looking for clues.
In this sentence, there are clues in the phrases “ no resolving the matter” and “ strained and fragile,” which, along with the straight-ahead road signs “ since” and “ and,” suggest that the correct answers are going to describe or support a conflict between disagreeing parties. In this example, you may already sense the words that complete at least one of the blanks just from the construction of the sentence.
Step 2 :Predict an answer for the easier/easiest blank.
Determine that the answer for the first blank must support or elaborate on the phrase “ no resolving the matter.”
Step 3: Select the answer choice that most closely matches your prediction.
Quickly go through the choices and see which one most closely matches “ no resolving the matter.” You can predict the answer will be (C)impasse.
Step 4: Predict and select for the remaining blanks.
For the remaining blanks, select the choice that will most logically complete the sentence. The sentence tells us the sides are at an impasse, or blocked path. Predict the answers for the second and third blanks by thinking how groups at an impasse would feel and act. Determine that they are not willing to(D)capitulate, or give in on their demands, and that the result would be (G) acrimony, or bitter feelings, between the two sides.
Step 5: Check your answers.
Plugging the words impasse, capitulate, and acrimony into the sentence fits the context: “ It seemed there would be no resolving the matter, since both sides felt they had reached an impasse; neither side would capitulate, and the resulting acrimony would keep their relationship strained and fragile for years to come.”
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