Hard GRE Text Completion Set 2 Practice Questions

Concept Explanation

GRE Text Completion questions evaluate your ability to interpret complex prose by requiring you to fill in missing words based on the logical structure of a passage. To excel at Hard GRE Text Completion Set 2 Practice Questions, you must move beyond simple vocabulary matching and analyze the subtle shifts in tone or direction indicated by transitional words. These questions often feature three blanks and sophisticated sentence structures that demand a high level of reading comprehension. According to the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the verbal reasoning section measures your ability to reach conclusions from partial information and identify relationships among parts of sentences. Success in this area is a core component of comprehensive GRE Prep.

When tackling hard-level questions, it is essential to ignore the answer choices initially. Instead, read the entire passage to identify the "clue" and the "signpost." The clue is the part of the sentence that provides the context for the blank, while the signpost (words like notwithstanding, moreover, or paradoxically) tells you whether the blank should align with or oppose that clue. For multi-blank questions, always start with the blank that is easiest to solve based on the available context, as the first blank is not always the most logical starting point.

Solved Examples

1. Example 1: The author’s prose is notoriously (i)_______; indeed, even the most (ii)_______ reader may find it difficult to extract a coherent thesis from the dense, circuitous paragraphs.
   • Blank (i): opaque, lucid, pedantic
   • Blank (ii): casual, fastidious, impatient
   • Solution: 1. The clue "difficult to extract a coherent thesis" suggests the prose is hard to understand. Therefore, blank (i) must mean unclear. "Opaque" fits perfectly. 2. The second part of the sentence suggests that "even" a very careful reader would struggle. "Fastidious" (showing great attention to detail) is the best fit for blank (ii). 3. Correct Answer: Opaque, Fastidious.
2. Example 2: Despite the (i)_______ of the witness’s testimony, the jury remained (ii)_______, ultimately delivering a verdict that contradicted the evidence presented.
   • Blank (i): mendacity, cogency, brevity
   • Blank (ii): unconvinced, indifferent, apoplectic
   • Solution: 1. The word "Despite" indicates a contrast. The second half says the jury delivered a verdict contradicting the evidence. 2. If the jury ignored the evidence, the evidence was likely strong. "Cogency" (persuasiveness) fits blank (i). 3. If they ignored strong evidence, they stayed "unconvinced." 4. Correct Answer: Cogency, Unconvinced.
3. Example 3: The scientist’s reputation for (i)_______ was so well-established that her colleagues were (ii)_______ when she published a paper based on (iii)_______ data.
   • Blank (i): venality, scrupulousness, indolence
   • Blank (ii): nonplussed, emboldened, vindicated
   • Blank (iii): empirical, specious, redundant
   • Solution: 1. This is a three-blank structure. Let's look for a relationship. If she has a certain reputation, and her colleagues are surprised, the data must contradict that reputation. 2. If the data is "specious" (false/misleading), her reputation must be for being honest or careful. "Scrupulousness" fits blank (i). 3. If a very honest person uses fake data, colleagues would be "nonplussed" (surprised/confused). 4. Correct Answer: Scrupulousness, Nonplussed, Specious.

Practice Questions

1. The diplomat’s reputation for (i)_______ was well-earned, as he frequently managed to resolve international disputes with a level of (ii)_______ that left both parties feeling satisfied, despite their initial (iii)_______.

Blank (i): probity, guile, equanimity
Blank (ii): intransigence, duplicity, adroitness
Blank (iii): apprehension, consensus, euphoria

2. While many nineteenth-century critics found the artist’s work (i)_______, modern audiences often view the same pieces as (ii)_______ examples of early avant-garde experimentation.

Blank (i): sublime, execrable, innovative
Blank (ii): derivative, seminal, antiquated

3. The governor’s (i)_______ stance on fiscal policy was often criticized by his opponents as (ii)_______, but his supporters viewed his refusal to compromise as a sign of (iii)_______ leadership.

Blank (i): flexible, dogmatic, nebulous
Blank (ii): pragmatic, obstinate, visionary
Blank (iii): resolute, capricious, vacillating

4. Far from being a (i)_______ of the local ecosystem, the invasive species has proven to be a (ii)_______ influence, rapidly (iii)_______ the native flora.

Blank (i): harbinger, boon, detritus
Blank (ii): deleterious, benign, salubrious
Blank (iii): bolstering, supplanting, ignoring

5. The philosopher’s latest treatise is so (i)_______ that it requires multiple readings to grasp its (ii)_______ arguments, which are often buried beneath layers of (iii)_______ jargon.

Blank (i): pellucid, abstruse, ephemeral
Blank (ii): simplistic, nuanced, fallacious
Blank (iii): arcane, accessible, colloquial

6. Although the CEO’s public persona was one of (i)_______, those who worked closely with her knew her to be (ii)_______ and prone to sudden outbursts of temper.

Blank (i): affability, arrogance, lethargy
Blank (ii): choleric, placid, magnanimous

7. The discovery of the ancient manuscript was (i)_______, as it provided (ii)_______ evidence that the civilization had mastered advanced metallurgy centuries earlier than previously believed.

Blank (i): fortuitous, catastrophic, irrelevant
Blank (ii): anecdotal, incontrovertible, dubious

8. The novelist’s style is characterized by a (i)_______ that some find refreshing but others criticize as (ii)_______, noting that his lack of descriptive detail leaves the setting feeling (iii)_______.

Blank (i): prolixity, laconicism, flamboyance
Blank (ii): austere, ornate, convoluted
Blank (iii): vivid, amorphous, vibrant

Answers & Explanations

1. Answers: equanimity, adroitness, apprehension. The diplomat resolves disputes (adroitness/skill) leaving parties satisfied despite their initial worry (apprehension). "Equanimity" refers to his calm composure during these disputes. For more practice on complex logic, see our Three-Blank Text Completion Questions Practice Questions.
2. Answers: execrable, seminal. "While" sets up a contrast. If modern audiences see the work as "seminal" (influential/groundbreaking), then past critics must have hated it. "Execrable" means extremely bad.
3. Answers: dogmatic, obstinate, resolute. The governor refuses to compromise. This is described as "dogmatic" (unyielding). Opponents call this "obstinate" (stubborn), while supporters call it "resolute" (determined).
4. Answers: boon, deleterious, supplanting. "Far from being a boon" (benefit) means it is actually bad. "Deleterious" means harmful, and the species is "supplanting" (replacing) the native flora.
5. Answers: abstruse, nuanced, arcane. If it requires multiple readings, it is "abstruse" (difficult to understand). The arguments are "nuanced" (subtle), and the jargon is "arcane" (understood by few).
6. Answers: affability, choleric. "Although" signals a contrast. If she is prone to temper (choleric), her public persona must be the opposite: "affability" (friendliness).
7. Answers: fortuitous, incontrovertible. Finding the manuscript was a lucky break ("fortuitous") because it provided solid, "incontrovertible" (undeniable) proof of advanced technology.
8. Answers: laconicism, austere, amorphous. A lack of detail is "laconicism" (briefness). This style is "austere" (plain/unadorned), which leaves the setting "amorphous" (shapeless/vague). You can find similar challenges in our GRE Text Completion Set 1 Practice Questions.

1. Which word best describes a sentence that is difficult to understand due to being overly complex?

• APellucid
• BAbstruse
• CLimpid
• DCandid

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Text Completion questions are on the GRE?

On the standard GRE General Test, you will typically encounter approximately 6 Text Completion questions per Verbal Reasoning section. These range from single-blank to triple-blank formats. To prepare for the full variety, check out our GRE Practice Questions with Explanations.

What is the best strategy for three-blank questions?

The best strategy is to read the entire paragraph first to understand the overall narrative and then find the blank that has the most obvious clue. Often, the third blank is easier to solve than the first because it concludes the logical progression of the sentence. Using an AI Exam Simulator can help you practice this timing and strategy under real test conditions.

Are difficult vocabulary words the only challenge in these questions?

No, the challenge often lies in the complex syntax and the logical "traps" set by the test makers. Even if you know all the vocabulary, failing to recognize a double negative or a subtle shift in tone can lead to the wrong answer. Consistent practice with unlimited GRE practice questions is key to mastering these nuances.

Can I get partial credit for answering two out of three blanks correctly?

No, the GRE does not award partial credit for Text Completion questions. You must select the correct word for every blank in the question to receive any points for that item. This makes the hard-level sets particularly punishing if you are not precise.

How can I improve my vocabulary for hard GRE questions?

Daily reading of high-level publications like The Economist or Scientific American is highly effective. Additionally, using tools like an AI Flashcard Generator can help you memorize the specific secondary meanings of words that the GRE frequently tests.