GRE General Verbal Reasoning Syllabus

Verbal Reasoning syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Verbal Reasoning in GRE General, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Text Completion

   2 topics

   • Sentence Structure
     • Syntax
   • Contextual Clues
     • Using context to predict meaning
2. 2

   Sentence Equivalence

   2 topics

   • Vocabulary Usage
     • Synonyms and Antonyms
   • Logical Connections
     • Conjunctions and transitions
3. 3

   Reading Comprehension

   2 topics

   • Understanding Passages
     • Main ideas and themes
     • Author's tone and style
   • Answering Questions
     • Literal comprehension questions
     • Inference questions

Verbal Reasoning flashcards for GRE General

22 of 50 cards from the Verbal Reasoning deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In GRE Sentence Equivalence, how many answer choices are given and how many must you select to earn credit?

   Six answer choices are given, and you must select exactly two words that both complete the sentence sensibly AND produce sentences alike in meaning. There is no partial credit.

2. What is a Text Completion question on the GRE, and how many blanks can it contain?

   A Text Completion presents a passage of 1-5 sentences with one, two, or three blanks. You choose one word/phrase per blank (three choices for one blank; five choices each for two- and three-blank versions). All blanks must be correct for credit.

3. Define an 'independent clause' and explain its role in identifying a complete sentence.

   An independent clause contains a subject and a finite verb and expresses a complete thought, so it can stand alone as a sentence. Recognizing it helps you locate the main assertion a GRE sentence is making.

4. What is a 'signal word' (transition word) in GRE Verbal, and why does it matter?

   A signal word is a connector that reveals the logical relationship between clauses (e.g., 'however', 'because', 'moreover'). It tells you whether a blank should continue, contrast with, or cause/explain the surrounding idea.

5. List common CONTRAST signal words used to detect a shift in meaning in Text Completion.

   but, however, yet, although, though, whereas, while, despite, in spite of, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the contrary, conversely, rather than, unlike.

6. List common CONTINUATION / support signal words that indicate a blank agrees with the surrounding idea.

   and, moreover, furthermore, in addition, also, similarly, likewise, indeed, in fact, thus, therefore, consequently, because, since.

7. What is a contextual clue, and what are the four main types tested on the GRE?

   A contextual clue is information in the passage that defines or hints at a target word's meaning. The four main types are: definition/restatement, contrast/antonym, example/illustration, and general logic/tone clues.

8. Describe the 'definition' or restatement context clue with an example structure.

   The sentence directly defines or restates the target word, often set off by commas, dashes, 'that is', or 'in other words'. Example: 'She was garrulous—that is, extremely talkative.'

9. Describe the 'contrast' context clue and the words that trigger it.

   An antonym clue signals the target word means the OPPOSITE of a nearby word, triggered by contrast words like 'but', 'unlike', 'whereas', 'although'. Example: 'Unlike his frugal brother, he was profligate.'

10. What is the recommended first step for a two-blank Text Completion: guess your own word or read all choices?

    First read the whole passage and predict your own word for each blank using context clues; only then match your prediction to the choices. This prevents being misled by trap synonyms.

11. In Sentence Equivalence, why is finding two synonyms among the six choices a useful (but not foolproof) strategy?

    Because the correct pair must yield sentences alike in meaning, the answers are usually near-synonyms. However, the two synonyms must also fit the sentence's logic—test each against the context, since a synonym pair can be a deliberate trap.

12. Define 'primary purpose' as asked in GRE Reading Comprehension questions.

    The primary purpose is the author's main reason for writing the passage—what it is chiefly trying to do (e.g., argue, describe, refute, compare). The correct answer must cover the WHOLE passage, not just one paragraph.

13. What is an 'inference' question in Reading Comprehension, and what standard must the correct answer meet?

    An inference question asks what must be true based on the passage though not stated explicitly. The correct answer must be logically supported by the text—not merely plausible or based on outside knowledge.

14. What is the key difference between an 'explicit detail' (find-the-fact) question and an 'inference' question?

    An explicit detail question has an answer stated directly in the text (find and match). An inference question requires reasoning beyond the literal words to what the passage necessarily implies.

15. In GRE Reading Comprehension, what does a 'select-in-passage' (sentence-select) question require you to do?

    It asks you to click on the single sentence in the passage that meets a described function (e.g., states the author's main argument or provides a specific example). Only one sentence is correct.

16. For 'select all that apply' Reading Comprehension questions, how is credit awarded?

    There are three choices, and one, two, or all three may be correct. You must select every correct option and no incorrect ones—there is no partial credit.

17. What logical relationship does the word 'because' establish, and how does it guide a blank?

    'Because' establishes a cause-and-effect relationship: it introduces the reason for the main clause. The blank should be filled with a word consistent with that causal explanation.

18. How should you treat a semicolon when analyzing sentence structure in Text Completion?

    A semicolon joins two closely related independent clauses. The second clause usually restates, elaborates, or contrasts the first, so it often provides the clue for a blank in the other clause.

19. What is the function of a colon in a sentence, and how can it signal a blank's meaning?

    A colon introduces an explanation, list, or elaboration of what precedes it. The material after the colon typically defines or supports the idea containing the blank, serving as a direct clue.

20. Define 'tone' in a GRE passage and give three example tone descriptors.

    Tone is the author's attitude toward the subject, conveyed through word choice. Examples: critical, admiring/laudatory, skeptical, objective/neutral, ironic, cautious.

21. What is the difference between the author's tone and the tone of a viewpoint the author is merely reporting?

    The author's tone reflects their own stance, while a reported viewpoint belongs to someone the author cites. GRE traps confuse the two—watch for phrases like 'critics argue' that attribute a view to others.

22. Explain the 'reverse' or trap posed by a double negative in a GRE sentence.

    Two negatives cancel to a positive, flipping the intended meaning (e.g., 'not uncommon' means 'common'). You must resolve the negatives carefully before choosing a word to keep the logic correct.

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