TheoryFree GRE Practice Test
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Q1The sudden, vehement objections of the senator understandably <code>________</code> the other members of his party, considering that he had previously expressed few qualms about the proposed amendment.<br/><br/>[ Note: Select 2 answer choices ]
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✓ Correct answer: addled
The sentence is about a change in the senator's opinion about the 'proposed amendment.' Previously, he did not express any 'qualms' (doubts, misgivings), but then he made sudden, vehement objections. The word in the blank describes the reaction of the other party members upon the senator's objections. Their reaction is not positive; hence a negative word is required for the blank. Words such as 'upset' or 'stunned' are good fill-ins for the blank.<br/><br/>Now, let's examine the meanings of the words in the options:<br/><br/>bewitched – to be affected by witchcraft or magic; enchanted or delighted<br/><br/>disenfranchised – deprived of the right to vote<br/><br/>discombobulated – confused and disconcerted<br/><br/>truncated – shortened by cutting off the top or the end<br/><br/>enervated – weakened, drained of energy<br/><br/>addled – unable to think clearly, confused<br/><br/>'Discombobulated' and 'addled' match the meaning of the sentence. 'Bewitched' is a positive word and would go against the context. 'Disenfranchised' and 'truncated' are unrelated to the sentence. There is no information in the sentence to support the word 'enervated'.
Q2The investigators made it clear that nothing they would unearth was <code>________</code>; every misdeed they learned about would be revealed to the public.
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✓ Correct answer: sacrosanct
In this restatement structure, the second part of the sentence confirms that everything will be revealed because nothing would be sacrosanct, or "inviolable or sacred." In other words, with choice C, there would be no secrets.<br/><br/>Choice A does not fit the context since being incredulous means you are having trouble believing something.<br/><br/>Choice B, exposed, doesn't make sense. The investigators would be saying that what they unearthed was exposed, which is a contradiction. The word cynical, choice D, makes no sense because there is no mention of anyone not believing the promise to expose crimes. There is no mention of any information that is contradictory, or at odds with what has been promised, so choice E should be ignored.
Q3In the 1950s, the profusion of goods, televisions, and other factors led to an explosion of ads. Alert to the captivating power of these images, pop artists set out to shock the world and redefine art. The paragon of this movement was Andy Warhol, who marketed mechanically reproduced images ranging from celebrities to soup cans. <br/><br/>Outwardly he cultivated a passive, cool, eccentric detachment; in reality, he was a workaholic perfectionist who spent long hours making his work appear effortless. His intention was easily achieved—many did not understand his vision and thought it required no effort. "Anyone can paint a soup can and call it art," some said. <br/><br/><em>But not just "anyone" did; only Warhol, whose sensibility epitomized the notion that the essence of art lies in its conception, did</em>. <br/><br/>Warhol passed another artistic litmus test by encapsulating in tangible form the tenor of his times, a mechanical age of mass production and mass consumption. <br/><br/><em>Despite the hype and myth-making that continually infused his enterprise, Warhol earned the title of artist</em>.<br/><br/>Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the argument?
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✓ Correct answer: Warhol actually saw little or no artistic relevance in the images he transformed into Pop Art.
Because the passage as a whole is about how Warhol did see artistic relevance in his subject matter, as it was emblematic of the world of mass production and mass consumption that he inhabited. Therefore, these objects had relevance and resonance.<br/><br/>Choice A is incorrect because, while Warhol is referred to as the "paragon," or perfect example or model, of the Pop Art movement, there is nothing in the passage to suggest that his art was the best. And, even if others produced work just as good or greater, Warhol would not have been less of an artist.<br/><br/>Choice B should be eliminated because the passage suggests that the conceptualization of art is its essence; therefore, merely conceptualizing the art, instead of carrying it out to the last detail, is still the primary work of the artist.<br/><br/>Choice C is incorrect because it actually strengthens, through restatement, a premise of the argument, which is that Warhol saw the relevance in everyday objects that had already demonstrated their power to captivate audiences.<br/><br/>Choice E is incorrect because it has little relevance to the conclusion that Warhol earned, or deserved, the title of artist; instead of focusing on the essence of Warhol's art, choice E focuses on his popularity.
Q4<em>Unseen Characters</em> by Will Floyd<br/><br/>Many plays, films, and television shows use the storytelling device of the unseen character. As the name implies, this trope involves a character the audience never directly encounters, but instead only hears about through the words of other characters. A common assumption is that a character that never speaks or is visible to the viewers of a play or film would only be a minor element, left to be the butt of jokes or as a simple way to add depth to a major character. In fact, unseen characters are frequently quite important, and further the plot because of their absence. The most notable instance of such a character is Godot, in Samuel Beckett’s play <em>Waiting for Godot </em>(1953). The two main characters in the play, Vladimir and Estragon, sit patiently by a tree, expecting Godot to come by at any moment. Three other characters, Lucky, Pozzo, and a boy, all speak to Vladimir and Estragon, with Godot never alighting on the stage. Nonetheless, Godot’s machinations in making the men wait—along with his supposed intentions—drive the play’s narrative. Godot, never seen or heard from directly, becomes the largest force in the created world of the play. This use of an unseen character creates an added mystery and increases the tension between the two main characters. Beckett uses the unseen character not as a gimmick or cheap ploy, but instead as the central focus of his play.<br/><br/>The author would NOT agree with the statement that <code>________</code>.
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✓ Correct answer: unseen characters are worthless literary devices
The author quite clearly views unseen characters as being effective literary devices when used well. This means that the description of unseen characters which is negative will be the correct answer. The description of them as "useless literary devices" is the best choice among the answers.
Q5Etiquette, which is sometimes unwritten, is a code that governs the expectations of social behavior of people. It usually reflects the cultures and traditions of countries. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the second largest country in African. It is also known as Congo (Kinshasa) or DRC. With over 200 ethnic groups represented the people of the Congo have a wide variety of customs, traditions, and values. They vary from place to place and group to group, especially when it comes to living in urban areas and rural areas. Therefore the etiquette rules differs depending on where a person lives.<br/><br/>Congolese that live in urban areas tend to have more Western customs and traditions. It is important to greet each other, and inquire about each others situation before other matters are discussed. Greetings consists of speaking, shaking their hands, and smiling. In the rural areas, men and women do not shake hands. Men will shake the hands of other men. Some women will greet men by clapping their hands and bowing slightly.<br/><br/>When dining in the Congo hands should be washed before and after eating. People should only eat with their right hands, especially if they are eating with their fingers. Men and women use separate communal bowls; often, women may sit together. When eating out of a communal bowl, people eat from the space directly in front of them. When utensils are used, the left hand holds the fork and the right hand holds the knife.<br/><br/>Dressing in the Congo is greatly influenced by the Western world, however, they are mixed with traditional clothing such as kikwembe, abacos, or a dashiki. The nicer a person look, the more respect he or she will receive. Jewelry is often made from wood, ivory bones, or shells. Many people in rural areas walk barefoot, but sandals and slippers are commonly worn.<br/><br/>What does the author’s tone suggest about the customs in different parts of the country?
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✓ Correct answer: The author’s tone suggests that customs are different, but none are superior to others.
The author’s tone suggests that customs are different, but none are superior to others. The author does not use any biased or preferential language to describe the customs of a single area. For example in the second paragraph, the author describes different ways of greeting, but uses no words to indicate superiority or preference for one over another.
Q6Etiquette, which is sometimes unwritten, is a code that governs the expectations of social behavior of people. It usually reflects the cultures and traditions of countries. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the second largest country in African. It is also known as Congo (Kinshasa) or DRC. With over 200 ethnic groups represented the people of the Congo have a wide variety of customs, traditions, and values. They vary from place to place and group to group, especially when it comes to living in urban areas and rural areas. Therefore the etiquette rules differs depending on where a person lives.<br/><br/>Congolese that live in urban areas tend to have more Western customs and traditions. It is important to greet each other, and inquire about each others situation before other matters are discussed. Greetings consists of speaking, shaking their hands, and smiling. In the rural areas, men and women do not shake hands. Men will shake the hands of other men. Some women will greet men by clapping their hands and bowing slightly.<br/><br/>When dining in the Congo hands should be washed before and after eating. People should only eat with their right hands, especially if they are eating with their fingers. Men and women use separate communal bowls; often, women may sit together. When eating out of a communal bowl, people eat from the space directly in front of them. When utensils are used, the left hand holds the fork and the right hand holds the knife.<br/><br/>Dressing in the Congo is greatly influenced by the Western world, however, they are mixed with traditional clothing such as kikwembe, abacos, or a dashiki. The nicer a person look, the more respect he or she will receive. Jewelry is often made from wood, ivory bones, or shells. Many people in rural areas walk barefoot, but sandals and slippers are commonly worn.<br/><br/>What assumption does the author make about the readers of this passage?
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✓ Correct answer: The author assumes the reader is familiar with Western clothing and etiquette.
The author assumes the reader of this passage is familiar with Western clothing and etiquette. The notes, for example, that dressing in the Congo is influenced by the Western world, but does not explain what that means. The author also notes that urban areas have more Western customs and traditions, but, again, does not explain what that means. It is assumed the reader has prior knowledge of Western customs, traditions, and style of dress.
Q7Over the years, she was able to dupe countless men into giving her money by using her beauty and her <code>________</code> deceptions.
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✓ Correct answer: Artful
The sentence states that the woman used beauty and deception to con men into giving her money. Deceptions are often cunning and clever; therefore, artful, which means clever or skillful in a crafty way, is correct. Lackluster, which means uninspired, is incorrect. Simian, which means ape-like, does not make sense. Ignominious, which means causing public disgrace, is incorrect. Transformative, which means causing change, is incorrect.
Q8In the context in which it appears in the third paragraph, "nature" most clearly means
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✓ Correct answer: the entire outer, human and nonhuman world.
Because the passage makes it clear that science describes phenomena that can be publicly experienced and shared, or the outer world, while literature looks into the inner "reactive" human world. Therefore, the workings of nature that science sheds light on most clearly relate to the entire world beyond the inner "reactive" human world.<br/><br/>Choice A should be eliminated because, according to the passage, this is the meaning of nature with which literature would be concerned.<br/><br/>Choice B is incorrect because it does not fit the context of what science "sheds light on," including the more public aspects of human experience.<br/><br/>Choice C, although close to the correct answer, should be eliminated. While science may well shed light on the universe's causal agent, according to the passage, science is concerned with far more than that.<br/><br/>Choice D is incorrect because it doesn't fit the context of what science "sheds light on," including the more public aspects of human experience.
Q9There are a group of islands located in the East China Sea that are the subject of a dispute between two nations. China calls the islands Diaoyu; in Japan, they are known as the Senkaku. Both nations claims sovereignty over the islands. China asserts that they discovered the eight uninhabited islands, and controlled them until the end of the Sino-Japanese War in 1895. Before the war, Japan incorporated the islands into their territory.<br/><br/>Japan control the disputed East China Sea islands until World War II. Following the war, a 1951 treaty with Japan gave the United States rights to administer the islands. That authority reverted back to Japan in 1971. China asserts that the 1951 treaty should have given them control over the islands. In 1969, the United Nations reported that there was a possibility of large oil reserves in the East China Sea near the islands location. China and Japan have been locked in a territorial dispute since the 1970s. Its conflict has escalated in recent times, with citizens from both nations protesting and raising flags on different islands. The countries have launched diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue.<br/><br/>In what year did the United Nations report there may be oil reserves in the China Sea?
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✓ Correct answer: 1969
In 1969 The United Nations reported that there was a possibility of large oil reserves in the East China Sea near the islands’ location. Since the 1970s China and Japan have been locked in a territorial dispute. The conflict has recently begun to escalate.
Q10A nightmare is a dream occurring during REM sleep characterized by feelings of anxiety, fear, distress, sadness, guilt, or terror. Nightmares are often confused with night terrors. These two types of disturbing dreams can be differentiated both biologically and psychologically. <br/><br/>Unlike nightmares, which usually wake the dreamer and are often clearly recalled upon waking, night terrors typically don't wake the dreamer and are most often not remembered in the morning. One who suffers a night terror usually experiences confusion and a pervasive feeling of fear or anxiety upon waking, but is not often able to recollect the substance of the episode or the vivid imagery typically associated with nightmares. <br/><br/>Unlike nightmares, which occur generally during REM stages in the second half of the night, night terrors occur during slow-wave non-REM periods, usually within the first few hours of sleep. <br/><br/>The passage highlights the ways in which night terrors differ from nightmares, except for the following:
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✓ Correct answer: experience of strong negative feelings.
Both nightmares and night terrors are characterized by strong negative feelings: "anxiety, fear, distress, sadness, guilt, or terror" for nightmares, and "a pervasive feeling of fear or anxiety" for night terrors.<br/><br/>Choice A identifies a difference between nightmares and night terrors discussed in the passage: Nightmares occur during REM stages late in the night, whereas night terrors typically occur during earlier non-REM periods.<br/><br/>Choice B is an incorrect answer because nightmares generally wake the dreamer up, whereas night terrors do not.<br/><br/>Choice D is incorrect because the author states that people generally remember the details of their nightmares, but usually don't remember the details of their night terrors.<br/><br/>Choice E highlights a difference between nightmares and night terrors discussed in the passage: Nightmares occur during REM stages late in the night, whereas night terrors typically occur during earlier non-REM periods.
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