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GRE

Kaplan GRE 2013

Chapter 4 - Verbal Foundations and Content Review

  • Record and define unfamiliar words; flash-card them.

  • Generate synonyms and antonyms.

  • Put unfamiliar words in context by using them in sentences.

  • Learn classical word roots, flash-card them.

    • Will help you guess better when you don't know.

  • When suggesting sets of words to complete a sentence such that it has the same meaning with all words, do not bring your personal bias or biotry to bear.

Reading Comprehension

  1. Read the first third of the passage.
    • What is the structure and tone?
    • Common structures:
      • Arguing a position.
      • Discussing something specific.
      • Explaining new findings.
    • Tones may be detached or opinionated.
      • And varying degrees of opinionation.
  2. Determine the topic, scope, and author's purpose.
    • Topic vs. scope.
      • Topics can be broad, e.g. Ulysses, but the scope can be narrow, e.g. the principal characters.
    • Author's purpose
    • Identify the topic.
    • Narrow it down to its precise scope.
    • Make a prediction about why the author is writing and where they're going.
  3. Read strategically
    • Read actively.
      • Parse out structure, tone, topic, scope, purpose.
      • Paraphrase ideas.
      • Ask yourself questions.

Chapter 5 - Text Completion

Technique for single blanks

  1. Read the sentence, look for clues. - A semicolon means the next clause is closely related. - There are "road signs", even after a semicolon.
    • "Straight-ahead" road sign is the next sentence reinforcing the first.
    • "Detour" road sign change the direction.
    • Use your common sense, look for these words (no need to memorise words).
  2. Predict an answer. - Don't be sophisticated, just logical.
  3. Select the choice that most closely matches your prediction.
  4. Check your answer.

Technique for multiple blanks

  1. Read
  2. Predict the easiest blank.
  3. Select
  4. Check

### Chapter 6 - Sentence Equivalence

  1. Read - Look for road signs (straight ahead or detour).
  2. Predict
  3. Select
  4. Check
  • Consider all answer choices. - There must be two similar answer choices, not just one.
  • Don't just look for synonyms; these can be a trap.

Chapter 7 - Reading Comprehension

  1. Read the passage strategically. - You want to identify topic, scope, purpose. - To do so, target main ideas, primary arguments, secondary arguments, supporting statements or evidence, and conclusions. - Summarise each paragraph with 1-2 sentences on scrap paper. - Is the tone informative or argumentative?
  2. Analyze the question stem. - Never start with the questions, always start with the passage.
  3. Research the relevant text in the passage.
  4. Make a prediction.
  5. Evaluate the answer choices.
  • Express the main idea in your own words.
  • Retain ideas not facts.
  • Read the question carefully; it may be counter to other questions. Answer it.
  • The passage is the only source of information; answers cannot be used as additional information.