1. Verbal Section There are 4 types of questions: Reading Comprehension (easiest) Antonyms Fill in the blank Analogies (hardest)

2. Strategies for Reading Comprehension Section It’s not a reading task; it’s a scavenger hunt. Don’t spend too much time reading the passage. Go to the questions and then find the answers by skimming the passage.

3. Reading Comprehension GRE Directions: Each passage in this group is followed by questions based on its content. After reading a passage, choose the best answer to each question. Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what is stated or implied in that passage. “Cracking the GRE” Directions: This is not really a test of reading, nor is it a test of comprehension. It’s a treasure hunt! The answers are in the passage. You just have to find them.

4. General Strategy For every section, you should plan to use scratch paper. For each problem, jot down the following. You don’t need to copy down the answers, which will be on the computer screen. A B C D E When you eliminate an answer, you can draw a line through the option on your scratch paper.

5. General Strategy For every section, you should plan to use scratch paper. For each problem, jot down the following. You don’t need to copy down the answers, which will be on the computer screen. A B C D E When you eliminate an answer, you can draw a line through the option on your scratch paper.

6. General Strategy Be sure to go through the entire list of answers. Do not stop when you think you have found the answer. Any answer that strikes you as “obvious” is likely not the correct answer. These are called “eye-catcher” answers.

7. Strategies for Antonym Section You are given a word; you must identify the word that is the opposite. Draw a line through any word that is clearly not similar in meaning to the word that you generated. Draw a line through any word that does not have an opposite (e.g., chair, cloth). If you cannot find one best answer, guess among the remaining answers.

8. Example ALLEVIATE  Alienate  Worsen  Revitalize  Remove  Elevate

9. Example DEBILITATE  discharge  strengthen  undermine  squelch  delete

10. Example DEBILITATE At first, focus on the word given. Do not focus on the answers.

11. Using Positive/Negative Senses is useful when you only “sort of” know the given word. DEBILITATE (sounds negative – so opposite would be positive.)  discharge  strengthen  undermine  squelch  delete

12. Using Positive/Negative Senses DEBILITATE (sounds negative – so opposite would be positive.)  dischargesounds negative – can’t be it  strengthen  undermine  squelch  delete

13. Using Positive/Negative Senses DEBILITATE (sounds negative – so opposite would be positive.)  dischargesounds negative – can’t be it  strengthensounds positive – could be it  undermine  squelch  delete

14. Using Positive/Negative Senses DEBILITATE (sounds negative – so opposite would be positive.)  dischargesounds negative – can’t be it  strengthensounds positive – could be it  underminesounds negative – can’t be it  squelch  delete

15. Using Positive/Negative Senses DEBILITATE (sounds negative – so opposite would be positive.)  dischargesounds negative – can’t be it  strengthensounds positive – could be it  underminesounds negative – can’t be it  squelchsounds negative – can’t be it  delete

16. Using Positive/Negative Senses DEBILITATE (sounds negative – so opposite would be positive.)  dischargesounds negative – can’t be it  strengthensounds positive – could be it  underminesounds negative – can’t be it  squelchsounds negative – can’t be it  deletesounds negative – can’t be it

17. Working Backwards If you don’t know the meaning of the given word, then generate opposite words for the answers and match each one to the given word. DEBILITATE  discharge  strengthen  undermine  squelch  delete

18. Working Backwards If you don’t know the meaning of the given word, then generate opposite words for the answers and match each one to the given word. DEBILITATE  dischargeabsorb?  strengthen  undermine  squelch  delete

19. Working Backwards If you don’t know the meaning of the given word, then generate opposite words for the answers and match each one to the given word. DEBILITATE  dischargeabsorb?  strengthenweaken?  undermine  squelch  delete

20. Working Backwards If you don’t know the meaning of the given word, then generate opposite words for the answers and match each one to the given word. DEBILITATE  dischargeabsorb?  strengthenweaken?  underminebuild up?  squelch  delete

21. Working Backwards If you don’t know the meaning of the given word, then generate opposite words for the answers and match each one to the given word. DEBILITATE  dischargeabsorb?  strengthenweaken?  underminebuild up?  squelchamplify?  delete

22. Working Backwards If you don’t know the meaning of the given word, then generate opposite words for the answers and match each one to the given word. DEBILITATE  dischargeabsorb?  strengthenweaken?  underminebuild up?  squelchamplify?  deleteinsert?

23. Analogies Take the two words that are given and form a sensible sentence. Write the sentence on your scratch paper. Take each answer set and use those words in your sentence. If you go through all answers, try making your starting sentence better – more detailed.

24. Example FRICTION: ABRASION  sterility: cleanliness  dam: flood  laceration: wound  heat: evaporation  literacy: ignorance

25. Example FRICTION: ABRASION At first, focus on the words given. Do not focus on the answers. Form your sentence, containing the words

26. Example ETERNAL: END  precursory: beginning  grammatical: sentence  implausible: credibility  invaluable: worth  frenetic: movement

27. Analogy Strategy Eliminate word pairs among the answers that have no relationship.

28. General Strategy Be careful of words that may have secondary meanings CATHOLIC uncharitable reticent specialized irreverent reckless

29. Example REDOUBTABLE unanticipated unambiguous unimposing inescapable immutable

30. Sentence Completion A recent poll shows that, while 81 percent of college students are eligible for some form of financial aid, only 63 percent of these students are ____ such aid. complain about recipients of dissatisfied with paying for turned down for

31. Sentence Completions Cover up answers Generate your own word for blank FIND A CLUE in the passage Use positive/negative connotation of words to guess. Use Process of Elimination If more than one blank, don’t try to do them at the same time; work on one, then work on the other.

32. Getting a Clue Museums are good places for students of _____ art science religion dichotomy democracy

33. Getting a Clue Museums, which house many paintings and sculptures, are good places for students of ____. art science religion dichotomy democracy

34. Getting a Clue Museums, which house many elaborate talismans, are good places for students of ____. art science religion dichotomy democracy

35. Getting a Clue Museums, because they house not just paintings, but paintings that depict human anatomy with great accuracy, are good places for students of ___. art science religion dichotomy democracy

36. Getting a Clue Museums, because they house not just paintings and sculptures selected to reflect the tastes of the broadest possible segment of the population, are good places for students of ___. art science religion dichotomy democracy

37. Trigger Words Words that signal cause and effect: because, if…then, thus, consequently, accordingly, therefore, so…that, hence, in order to, when…then, given,

38. Trigger Words Words that signal support or continuation: and, also, as well, additionally, furthermore, indeed, likewise, moreover, too, besides

39. Trigger Words Words that signal contrast (difference): but, although, even though, yet, rather than, despite, in spite of, in contrast, however, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, on the contrary, on the other hand, still, while

40. Trigger Words Other words that hint at a contrast (difference): surprise, surprising, surprisingly paradox, paradoxical, paradoxically irony, ironic, ironically incongruity, incongruous, incongruously illogic, illogical, illogically anomaly, anomalous, anomalously unexpected, unexpectedly